Dear Club Members, Sponsors and Friends,

The first-ever CVR Regionwide Food Drive was a success.  Impressive goodwill and brilliant sunshine were in abundance on March 13.  I thank the club members who generously donated food, which will provide sustenance to many families suffering hunger or struggling with food insecurity.

I commend Sue Young, chair of community service, for her leadership in organizing the drive and her management of its implementation.  She worked conscientiously in double-checking volunteer assignments, delivery of signage and related communications.  Her detailed article about the food drive is accessible at this link.

The board members listed below functioned as hosts at the drop-off sites, finalizing preparations with site personnel and recipient food banks, as well as welcoming donors on the day of the drive:

Roger Funk, a longtime board member, was very helpful in work related to the drop-off sites.

Several club members assisted on the day of the drive, receiving donations and transferring them to delivery vehicles.  Their help was a significant factor in the success of the drive:

Paul Roth, board member and chair of the Photo Club, coordinated photo coverage of the drive.  Several of his fellow photographers and he spent the day traveling to the drop-off sites, capturing images of generosity and collegiality in action:

Shelley Krohnengold, Eric Richmond and Frank Sena, all of whom are board members, provided important, timely technical advice to the Food Drive Committee throughout the planning process.

I am grateful to the drop-off sites that volunteered the use of their facilities on the day of the drive.  Most of you will recognize their names.  They are longtime friends of CVR who have graciously hosted Month Meetings, sponsored many club events and have helped the club in many other, sometimes unprecedented ways.  Their concern for the neediest in their communities and a willingness to take action are an inspiration:

I am proud that CVR members and friends in the club’s extended community have made a difference in the lives of many neighbors, including children and the elderly, who are in dire circumstances.  In these difficult times, their compassion made a difference.