17 members, frequent visiting Rotarian Mike Neeley (New Brighton-Mounds View), and guest Quinton Lee (ex- STRIVE recipient and current student at UW River Falls) heard speaker Renee Van Gorp, retired principal at Fridley High and an ex-member and Past President, speak about the Fridley Schools Foundation, of which she is now the volunteer Executive Director. The Foundation has benefited yearly from the club's golf fundraiser for STRIVE scholarships at the school. Founded in 1999, the all-volunteer foundation awarded $102,000 in scholarships to 69 Fridley grads in 2016. It plans for the future to also award innovation grants to FHS teachers and clubs and to establish an endowment fund through new fundraising efforts and to extend its reach by building a database of alumni and engaging an investment manager. Two events planned for the 2017-18 year are a walkathon on September 20 at Commons Park, for which it will seek pledges and sponsors, and a public gala on January 25 at Banquets of Minnesota. Guest Lee offered thanks for the STRIVE scholarship, which helped interest him in college. He used it at Anoka-Ramsey CC and has from there advance to a four-year school. Inbound exchange student Pascal Bohner offered a summary of his first week, which featured time with YEO Kristin Stuenkel, host families Bob & Mary Tholkes and Christine & Ben Haubach, and visits to Minnehaha Falls, US Bank Staudium, and the Mall of America ("huge"). Reminders & Revelations: - GORDY thanked everyone who helped and/or attended last week's picnic, and issued a reminder that billing for tickets accepted would appear on 2nd quarter invoices in October.
- WALLY noted that there will be no breakfast next week because of the 5:01 social at Crooner's, and that the social will be preceded at 4:00 by a Literacy Committee meeting.
- WALLY also mentioned the ongoing Stomp on Polio effort and the Halloween event to be organized by Josh Lund, also in aid of Polio Plus.
- New: GORDY noted the meeting September 20 of the Fridley 49er Day Committee, which is seeking volunteers.
- MAYOR LUND endorsed the Committee as a worthy enterprise. He also announced Springbrook Nature Center's Autumn Sampler promotion (September 15, 6:00-9:00 pm)
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