Holiday Sharing Program 

By Danielle Gerard

This year's Holiday Sharing program will work much like it has in the past. J.C. Penney will provide assistance in gift selection and a book for each child will be purchased at Barnes & Noble. The sources for names have been advised that we are looking to shop for those children who are in need. This means that the programs our sources offer are just not enough to meet the needs of these children (i.e., giving trees). We request names of preschool and school aged children in grad 12 or lower. The people who provide these names are volunteers just like you and me. They get these names when families request assistance from the food pantry or youth programs offered by their organization. These requests often are made very late in the season because many of those in need do not want to ask for help. We are so very lucky to be in the position of giving that we are. A thank you has been expressed to The Eastwood Club from Blessed Sacrament Church, St. Matthew's Church and the North East Hawley Youth Center.

Please contact Anne Juda at the Shoppingtown J. C. Penney store (445-1130) to make an appointment to do your shopping. They are very willing to help and only ask that we work with their schedule as much as possible. Please try to avoid shopping at peek shopping times. The gifts will be wrapped by the staff at J.C. Penney as they have in the past. The gifts can then be picked up a few days later at the customer pick up area.

The books this year will be purchased in one shopping trip and handed out to the club membership at next Tuesday's meeting. Barnes and Noble give us a 10% discount on our purchase. This year in order to get that discount each sale must be a minimum of $50.00. Anyone who would like to assist in the book selection, please let me know.

If you have any questions, please contact me either at work 437-0844 or at home 697- 9854.

Happy Holiday!

Bell Ringers Set New Mark

Mark Bell reported at $975.00 was raised by the Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army. This marks an increase of $100.00 over last year. Great job and many thanks to all those who participated.

Entertainment Books 

By Dan Cullinan

We still have a lot of books that we need to sell. We had a few commitments to sell more. Everyone please sell a few more. Six people have sold 80% of the books. Hats off to these Rotarians.

Board of Trustees Reminder 

By Stanley Rubenstein

The Board of Trustees of the Rotary Club of Eastwood Foundation have their meeting on Monday, December 13 at Casa di Copani at 12 noon. Meals off the menu.

District Conference 2000 

By Stanley Rubenstein

Stanley is collecting money each week for the conference to be held in Toronto at Inn on the Park October 13-15. Can you spare $5.00 per week and get the ball rolling? Time really flies by and conference is only ten months away.

Argentina Trip Now Filled 

By Stanley Rubenstein

Although you can go to the International Convention in Buenos Aires, Argentina in June, our District trip is now filled up. It will include the Rubensteins, Austin Beltrani, PDG David and Alice Peterson, Mary Louise Bishop, Sandy Bufis, and Lynn Morrow, DGN Ward and June Vuillemot, Paul and Amie Engle and Stan and Gretchen Liebenberg.

Hi-Lites of Syracuse Rotary Bowling League December 6, 1999

Before I relate the results of the matches, we need to address the finances of the League. Those bowlers who have yet to pay their dues should get a check ready soon, at least before the second half of the season begins. THANKS. Once gain we have a tie for the top spot. The Hylees and Ryhasfins always seem to find a way to make the league interesting. Gordy Hyatt rolled a big 612, but the steady but still cellar dwelling Budlinjens came away with 6 points. Dick Haskins had a very nice 571, but it too wasn't enough to beat the Merryherbs and super sub Steve Iltsch. The Aims grabbed third place thanks to a steady performance from another super sub Ruben Luna (the Venezuelan vanquisher). His 444 coupled with Tony Iorio's pinfall was enough to take 6 from the Gladmoras. The Hops battled the Robogas crew with subs performing well on both sides. Bo Nash missed a 600 by 4 pins, Karl Herba had a 507, and Robogas sub Paul Doane had a 542. Ultimate result was a 6 point win for the Hops which kept them out of the cellar, and looking to move up. Next week is our last scheduled match before POSITION night. Make your move next week, and the end of the first half could be very interesting.

Gift of Life Presentation 

By Jim Gascon

The program for the December 7 meeting was this year's Gift of Life child Ying Kang and her mother Xi Rong Mao-Kang. Ying came to us from a remote village in China. Ying and her mother were accompanied to the Club by Gift of Life District Chairman Mike Occipinti as well as committee member Robert MacLeod. Robert introduced our special guests and reported that Ying suffered from a rare heart ailment that sapped her strength and made every day living a chore. Ying's prognosis for the future was bleak and required difficult life-saving surgery that was best offered here in the U.S. In traveling to Syracuse, Ying and her mother endured great hardship. The first leg of their journey alone was an 18-hour train ride to Beijing from their home village. Ying had to endure this trip standing in cramped quarters. From there she endured over 26 hours of air travel. Robert's presentation was heart felt and emotional. One could feel from his talk how touched he has been from his involvement in the program.

While at the Club, Mike Occipinti presented a special District 7150 Humanitarian Award to Robert MacLeod for his fine work with the program. This same award was also given to JoAnn Manuel and Dr. Jack Chang and his wife Sandy. JoAnn is a social worker at Upstate who has for many years provided her competent and professional assistance to the program. Dr. Chang and his wife Sandy were honored for serving both as a host family and as interpreters to Ying and her mother. Ying marks the second child the Changs have hosted.

Ying and her mother concluded the program by thanking the Rotary District and those involved for all that was done for them. Mike Occipinti recognized Dee Petta and the Eastwood crew for their involvement. The program was indeed special. It is remarkable how well spoken Ying is for a child only nine years old. A transcript of Ying's and Xi Rong's message of thanks is published in this week's issue of the Word.

Ying's and Xi Rong's Message of Thanks

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Hi, how are you? On behalf of my family I would like to thank the Rotary Club from the bottom of my heart!

Two years ago, my daughter, Ying Ying told me she had chest pains and was short of breath. After she was diagnosed with a severe heart problem, I knew she was going to struggle and suffer through life and was not going to live as a normal person. I was sad and cried.

This past October, we received unexpected and fortunate news that Ying Ying is being sponsored to come to Syracuse for treatment. So, on November 5th we arrived in Syracuse. Many people greeted us and welcomed us at the airport. I was very touched. Thank you very much.

On November 16th she was admitted to the hospital and I was anxious and nervous of her surgery. Because, in China, one of our neighbor's son had a similar heart condition, and he died from the surgery. But as you can see, Ying Ying had a successful surgery and recovery. And now, she will grow up as a normal girl. Thank you for your continual prayers.

Ying Ying's new life is the result of your great program - "the gift of life". How can I express my appreciation and repay your kindness? From the bottom of my heart, I will always remember and thank God's grace and blessing. Also, I will forever cherish your good will and friendship.

Finally, let me "Ju Gong" again and thank you Rotary Club! -Xi Rong Mao-Kang

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Hi, how are you? You are like my grandpa, grandma, uncles and aunts. I am so lucky to have this opportunity to come to Syracuse for treatment.

When I was 7 years old, I always had fevers and chest pains. Mom took me to the hospital and I was diagnosed with a heart problem. I couldn't run, jump or dance like my friends. In my physical education class, I had to sit down and watch. I felt very frustrated and sad. I knew I was going to struggle through my life.

This past October, I received good news that I could come to the United States for treatment. I thank Auntie Sandy and Uncle Jack for their generosity and hospitality. They treated me like their own child. I thank Grandma Donna for her patience and care for checking my condition every day. I also thank the nurses and doctors for helping me through the surgery and recovery. And lastly, I thank many of the Rotary club members for visiting me, bringing me gifts and praying for me. I still remember, before the surgery I prayed and a voice from my heart said to me: "Don't be afraid, you will win the battle." Now, I have a successful treatment from your support and I will be able to run, jump and dance like my friends. My new life is your gift to me. I will always remember your love and friendship.

Thank you Rotary Club from the bottom of my heart! -Ying Kang

December Programs

14 - Cathy Williams - Social Security 

21 - Rotary Club of Eastwood, Inc. Annual Meeting 

28 - Family Christmas Party, featuring Randy the Magician