A Season of Gratitude and Action
Sunshine filled the room this morning for a meeting that served as both a celebration of completed projects and a staging ground for the winter work ahead. With the holiday season officially upon us, the club wasted no time turning gratitude into practical assistance for our neighbors.
Service Updates: Filling Shelves and Closets The meeting opened with a report on tangible results. Thanks to member contributions, the Hinesburg and Shelburne food shelves received the specific items they were lacking for their Thanksgiving distributions - specifically corn and frosting - ensuring local families have complete holiday meals. We also reported a successful winter clothing distribution, noting that the community was remarkably generous in meeting the specific needs requested.
The focus then shifted to active projects. The "Toys for Kids" drive is currently underway, and members were briefed on volunteer opportunities near UVM, which serves as the central distribution point for the program. Looking further ahead, the club began rallying volunteers for the Shelburne Winter Carnival on January 31st. In keeping with tradition, the club plans to host a station - likely distributing books - to maintain a visible and supportive presence during the town’s festivities.
On a housekeeping note, the podium is looking particularly sharp thanks to a new "People of Action" banner, secured by Chris Davis, which serves as a fitting backdrop for our weekly work.
Speaker Series: Life by the Numbers The morning’s program featured one of our own, as Karen Metzger took the podium for a "classification talk" titled "Life by the Numbers." Rather than a standard biography, Karen walked the club through a fascinating numerical breakdown of her journey: 3 universities, 4 distinct careers, residence in 8 states, and ownership of over 30 homes.
Karen shared insights from her diverse professional life, ranging from her early days as a teacher to her tenure as an instructional designer and consultant. She recounted stories from her time improving training curriculums for entities as varied as AT&T Bell Labs, ExxonMobil, and even the FBI Academy in Quantico. Despite a career that took her from Indiana to Florida to D.C., Karen ended on a high note, declaring that after living in so many places, Vermont is the one she truly considers "home." She has now embarked on her fourth career as a Realtor, combining her passion for houses with her skill for helping people navigate life changes.
Fellowship and "Happy Fines" The camaraderie in the room was evident during a lively session of "Happy Fines." The basket filled up with gratitude for successful surgeries and recoveries among family members, as well as celebrations of grandchildren hitting milestones in gymnastics and running. We also heard rave reviews for the recent production of Into the Woods and the Shelburne Community School cabaret. There was plenty of good-natured banter regarding footwear choices, proving that the club’s spirit of friendship remains as strong as its commitment to service.
Looking Ahead Please note there is no meeting next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
We will reconvene on Wednesday, December 3rd, for a special meeting. This will be a hands-on service morning. Members are asked to bring wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and holiday baking items (like gingerbread kits). Instead of a speaker, we will spend the hour sorting and distributing these items into groupings for the Shelburne, Charlotte, and Hinesburg food shelves, ensuring our local families have what they need for the December holidays.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!