The weekly meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by President Barry Bondurant.  Kurt Bartley offered the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone sang a beautiful rendition of “God Bless America”. Laurie Bianco, the greeter, introduced visiting guests. Visitors were Rachel King, Shannon Johnson, Charna Blumberg, Mannie Toledo, Tiffaney Hunter, and Keith Hunter.

 

Announcements:  Barry reminded us to report our volunteer hours to sign up to do the prayer and pledge and to be a greeter. Rotary District 5790 will host RIL training 1 & 2 at the River Crest Country Club in Fort Worth on 10-7, 2023. The cost to attend is $50.00.  Jim Quick announced that The Field of Honor was a huge success and thanked Joyce and other sponsors. Also thanked were Susie (tent manager), Stacey (volunteer manager), and Ken Cox (field manager) for their great work in making the event successful.  Jim also presented our club President, Barry with his flag. Chad Bates informed the club that Arlington Polio is having a fundraiser on 10-26-23 at the Sanford House and he asked for volunteers. Chad is raising money for the American Heart Association by doing a walk and is seeking fellow Rotarians to sponsor him.

 

Vera McKissic and Kathleen Smith led us in singing “My Country “tis of Thee”.

 Sally Hopper announced Rotarians with anniversaries and birthdays.  Celebrating birthdays were Joe Carpenter, Angie Meister, Mike O’Donnell, and Al Clark. Rotarians with anniversaries are Elvis Ononobi.

 

Jean Hood and Eunice Currie presented the Minority Business Award to Dr. Tiffany Hunter, owner of Hunter Professional Therapy.  Dr. Hunter was introduced as the best physical therapist in the Fort Worth/Dallas area. Hunter Professional Therapy (HPT) was founded in 2006 by Dr. Hunter. HPT is located at 3851 SW Green Oaks Blvd. Suite 115, Arlington, Texas 76017.  

 

 Vera McKissic announced the program for today. The program was about the Metroplex Women’s Clinic (MWC) with Marcie Schneider and Stephanie Ott. Ms. Schneider is the Director of Finance for Metroplex Women’s Clinic and has served with MWC since 1999, beginning as a volunteer counselor and now as Director of Finance. Ms. Schneider has been married to her husband, Marc, for 39 years. She has two children and two grandchildren. Ms. Schneider enjoys vacations with her family and tries to make this happen often. Ms. Schneider has a heart for girls who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy. Stephanie Ott is the Director of Advancement for MWC. She has served MWC since 2007 beginning as a volunteer counselor and now serves as a liaison for donors and churches, as well as assisting with fundraising and special events. Ms. Ott loves the Lord and her family: her husband of 38 years- Jeff and three adult children- Parker, Luke, and Karoline- and her son-in-law, Cale. Her favorite things to do are spending time with the Lord and in His Word; hanging out with believers, learning and growing in Christ; and reading books that increase her faith and mysteries for fun. She also enjoys riding horses, traveling, and quilting.

 

MWC was started in 1984 and originally was called the Arlington Crisis Pregnancy Center. MWC is a non-profit organization. The center was renamed the Metroplex Women’s Clinic to more accurately reflect the services that are being provided to women. MWC has very generous donors, and as a result, all their services are free and confidential. The Center’s mission is to equip, educate and empower every person who comes through their doors. MWC does not profit from its clients allowing the center to give truthful information about pregnancies and women’s options. MWC offers free and confidential laboratory-quality pregnancy testing so women can be confident of the results. Additionally, MWC offers free and confidential ultrasound testing. The ultrasound allows women to learn as much as possible about their pregnancy so that they can make informed decisions concerning their pregnancy.

MWC offers numerous classes to help women and men who are dealing with several important challenges. The classes offered include Pregnancy and Beyond; Relationships & You; Beginner’s Bible Study; Labor and Delivery; Next Steps Spiritual Growth; Path to Success for Men; Potty Training; Single, Super Mom and Child-Like Faith: Christian Parenting.

 

MWC has seen over 114,000 during its 39 years of service and typically sees approximately 7000 clients annually. In 2022, MWC had 6934 clients, performed 2,194 ultrasounds, 1371 births, and 420 salvations.    

 

MWC has three locations in Arlington MWC Southeast, 5150 S. Collins 76018, MWC Southwest, 7603 US Hwy. 287 N. Frontage Road, 76001, and MWC North, 2810 NW Green Oaks Blvd., 76012. Additionally, MWC has three retail locations. These retail stores help to fund the centers. The stores are Arlington Resale, Arlington Resale Too, and Tiny Treasures. These stores provide new and gently used merchandise in good condition at reasonable prices to the greater Arlington community. To learn more about these stores, please visit arlingtonresale.com.

 

Some of the area churches that help fund MWC are as follows: Central Bible Church, Crossroads Christian, Walnut Ridge Baptist, St. Albans Anglican Parish, Redeemer Arlington Church and St. Paul de Vincent Catholic Church.

 MWC has numerous ways for the public to get involved. MWC needs volunteers, financial help, clothing, diapers and food. To learn more about MWC, please visit metroplexwomensclinic.com.    

   

President Barry presented a Webb Library Book in honor of Marcie Schneider and Stephanie Ott.

 

Dan Blumberg provided us with the “last laugh”.

Barry informed us that the next program will be on September 28, 2023. The program is about Sister City BK Delegation.

 The quote for this week: “Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community”.  – Anthony D’Angelo.

Barry thanked the special guests and everyone else for coming.  He then led us in the Four Way Test, and we were adjourned.