Prayer.O God, within whose patient providence we exist, by whose enduring love we are embraced, with whose strength we are sustained, and by whose Spirit we are empowered to live and do good in the world, we give thanks for every blessing bestowed so generously upon us.
Bless our own efforts in the service of others, and bless for our use the food and fellowship we enjoy. Use us as willing instruments of your will. Amen.
At the February 19th club meeting, Foundation Chairman Suman Das made presentations to Past Presidents Witt Riffin and Mike Dawkins.
Mike Dawkins was recognized as a Benefactor of The Rotary Foundation. The Club made a $ 1,000 contribution to The Rotary Foundation. The Club made the contribution to recognize Dawkins his service to the Club in the 2013-2014 Rotary Year as Club President. The Club has made a practice of recognizing Past Presidents as Benefactors for their service as President and continued membership and service to our Club beyond their term as President. The Club’s contribution resulting in Dawkins being named a Benefactor was directed to the Foundation’s Endowment Fund (formerly called the Permanent Fund). Contributions to the Endowment Fund are invested and managed and, then only the earnings of the Endowment are spent.
Witt Ruffin was recognized and was named a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) for both the 2nd and 3rd time simultaneously! Ruffin’s 2nd PHF was attributable to a $ 1,000 contribution to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual fund made by Past District Governor Bill Walker of Columbus. Walker made a contribution to honor Witt’s service to the District as North Jackson’s Club President during his term as District Governor. Witt was presented his 3rd Paul Harris Fellow by the Club in recognition of his outstanding service to our Club during his 2017-2018 Rotary Presidential Year.
Witt (left) and Mike (right) are shown in the following photo with Club Foundation Director Suman Das (center), who presented the awards to them. We congratulate them on their recognition and thank them for their support of the Rotary Foundation.
Sitaniel Wimbley, program director of NAMI (The National Alliance On Mental Illness) of Mississippi spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at its February 19th, 2019 meeting. Wimbley informed members and guests of what NAMI Mississippi does to help identify, educate and support those with mental illness. NAMI's mission is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with mental illness and of their families through support, education, and advocacy. Shown (from left) club member Lori Greer, who introduced Ms. Wimberley; Wimbley and Club President Anna Powers. We thank Ms. Wimberley for her presentation and for her service to the citizens of Mississippi.
Thomas Dent, Director of Faith-Based Volunteer Services for the MS. Department of Child Protection Services (DCPS) spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s February 12, 2019, meeting. Mr. Dent, a former member of the club is also the son of current club member Tommy Dent. He discussed the role and activities of DCPS, Including, his and his family’s history of fostering children and of adopting their first foster child. He also discussed the Mississippi Heart Gallery which contains photos and discussion of children ready for adoption.
We thank Mr. Dent for his presentation and for his service to the children of Mississippi. He (center) is shown in the following photo with his father, and with Club President Anna Powers.
Rotarians Sara Anne White and Jay Cooke were honored as Paul Haris Fellows at the February 12, 3019, meeting of the Rotary Club of North Jackson. A person becomes a Paul Harris Fellow when that person has donated a minimum of $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation or has $1,000 donated in their name. People may become multiple Paul Harris Fellows by donating or having donated multiple gifts of $1,000 to the Foundation. The honor was established in 1957 to show appreciation for contributions that support our Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant. There have been more than 1 million Paul Harris Fellows in the lifetime of the program.
Sara and Jay are shown in the following photo with Club President Anna Powers (left) and Director Suman Das (second from left), who presented the awards to Jay (second from right) and Sara (right). We congratulate them on their recognition and thank them for their support of the Rotary Foundation.
Chris Blount, Executive Director of the Wilson Research Foundation of Methodist Rehab Center spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s February 5, 2019, meeting. He discussed the history and activities of the hospital and its three locations, Jackson, Flowood, and Ridgeland. The Jackson and Ridgeland facilities are for patients recovering from accidents and illnesses. The Flowood facility is for quadriplegic patients. Mr. Blount, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Madison-Ridgeland, showed photos of Methodist Rehab’s patients, facilities, and equipment. He also discussed research being conducted on computer controlled prosthetics by the hospital and the Wilson Research Foundation.
We thank Mr. Blount for his presentation and for his commitment to patients in Mississippi. He (right) is shown in the following photo with Joe Jacobson, Methodist’s Director of Outpatient Services.
The second photo is of Mr, Blount during his talk.
The third photo is of Messrs. Blount and Jacobson with Club Vice President Greg Campbell (left).
Motivational speaker, educator, and historian, Ms. Pamela Junior, Executive Director of the Mississippi Civil Right Museum, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the Club’s January 29, 2019, meeting. In her speech, she took the club members on an aural tour of the museum gallery by gallery. She said that in the first year of the museum’s existence, it received a total of 250,000 visitors vs. a projected attendance of 180,000.
In addition to the aural tour, Ms. Junior discussed “Spirits of the Passage”, an upcoming exhibition in the museum, “The Story of the Transatlantic Slave Trade”, which will be at the museum February 2 - August 11, 2019. The exhibition will feature artifacts recovered from the wreckage of a sunken slave ship. From one of history’s most devastating chapters rise tales of strength, resistance, and fortitude. It sounds like a “must see” exhibit.
We thank Ms. Junior for her very interesting and informative presentation to our club and for her commitment and service to her fellow Mississippians. She is shown below before her speech with club Past President Ann Somers who introduced her, during her speech, and following it with club President Anna Powers (left) and Past President Ann Somers (right).
