Assemblywoman Woerner's Update

Carrie Woerner, at center in white jacket, is shown with some other club members at our meeting on Thursday. Carrie, who is a member of the New York State Assembly, gave us one of her regular updates on legislation and related issues, taking questions and engaging in discussion.
No meeting next week -- Happy Thanksgiving.

Tots, Polio

Tom Disinger, left, was our speaker today, about the Capital Region Toys for Tots Campaign, which last year was selected as the 2018 US Marine Corps Toys for Tots National Campaign of the Year.
Some of our club members helped out with last year's campaign and Tom was encouraging us to do the same this year, especially by helping sort and distribute toys at the warehouse off Route 146 in Clifton Park, near Starpoint Church. This Saturday between 10 and 3 would be a good time, he said, and there will be plenty of other opportunities in this busy season running up to Christmas.
At right of photo is Doug Ford, Ballston Spa Rotarian and co-chair of the Rotary District 7190 polio campaign. He told us about an upcoming polio fund-raiser on the evening of Friday Dec. 13, at the Adirondack Thunder hockey game in Glens Falls. Then there's the Polio Plunge on New Year's Day in Lake George. Money is needed, Doug said, in part because cases have been on the uptick in Pakistan and Afghanistan, meaning we need to keep pushing to eliminate polio.
Another guest was Rich Griesche, district governor-elect, seen below.

Catching up on Doing Good; Plus Craft Fair

Our speaker on Thursday was Sue Catroppa (left), executive director of CAPTAIN Community Human Services.
She talked about the growth of the organization from its founding in 1977, to serve not just teens but people of all ages, and in Schenectady and Fulton counties as well as Saratoga. Much of the focus, however, remains on young people, and among the grim issues CAPTAIN is currently trying to deal with and fight in our area are sex trafficking and homelessness. CAPTAIN continues to rely on volunteers for a lot of its good work. Volunteer opportunities include helping kids with homework, staffing the food pantry, office and thrift store, mentoring, writing, companionship, driving, shopping and light housekeeping. Contributions of money and goods also are accepted. Click on the link in the first paragraph above to find out more, and how you can help.

The previous week, our speaker was Janet Friauf (below), who leads the Homelessness Action Team at The Presbyterian New England Congregational Church (PNECC) in Saratoga Springs. The church has been working with Shelters of Saratoga and government officials on addressing homelessness in Saratoga County, where a new Code Blue shelter will open soon on the south side of Saratoga Springs. Like CAPTAIN, Shelters of Saratoga is seeking volunteers and donations.

And in Rotary news, our club will be raising funds by providing food service tomorrow, Saturday Nov. 2, at the Arts, Crafts and Gift Fair, from 9 to 3 at the David Meager Community Center in Malta. Come on by and have a bite.