2006-Our Diary

GULFPORT KIDS SUMMER CAMP RECEIVES $2,500.00 DONATION FROM QUOTA INTERNATIONAL
It all started when Steve Dickerson (radio talk show host and Friend of Quota), showed an email to Vicki Miller, that outlined the problems that Gulfport faced with their Summer Camp Program. It seemed that all of their equipment, from table games to baseball bats, were lost to Katrina. With the city facing enormous infrastructure rebuilding and recovery, the Summer Camp Program would suffer - and that means the nearly 700 children would suffer. In Quota's eyes - that just wouldn't do!
And so it was, with gratitude and hopefulness, that Quota International of the MS Gulf Coast requested a grant from the Hurricane Katrina Relief Funds raised by Quotarians all over the world. It was a joyous day indeed, when we received word that the $2,500.00 grant had been approved!
Before the Mayor's arrival, Steve and Kipp Greggory (co-hosts) discussed on-air with Betty and Vicki, the many programs QI MS Gulf Coast has coordinated before and after the storm, including helping with the deLepee Deaf Center, the Women's Center for non-violence, The Boys & Girls Clubs, blankets for the Bay St. Louis distribution center and their current literacy/speech and hearing project "Socks and Pockets". Most recently, Steve and Kipp rode in the Shenanigan's St. Patrick's Day Parade through the streets of debris-strewn Gulfport.
Because we decided to "surprise" the Mayor, we kept the "entire covert operation" a secret, until the final plans could be put in place. Steve worked through the Mayor's office, and arranged a special guest appearance on his morning talk show on WBUVFM, a Clear Channel Radio station in the area. Unaware of what was to unfold, Mayor Warr was greeted by Quotarians, and invited into the studio. His slight look of apprehension quickly faded when Betty handed him a check to help fund the Summer Camp program. "Wow! This is wonderful! Thank you. I'm sure the city will put this to good use right away," was the Mayor's comments. "I'm going to get this to the Department of Leisure Services right away."
Quota International has raised and distributed over $46,000.00 in Hurricane Relief Grants, that have been distributed in South Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. In South Mississippi alone, $20,000.00 of those funds have been used for local service projects coordinated by the MS Gulf Coast Chapter.
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THIS IS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT...

Quotarians, Peggy, Doris and "Jingles" (aka Vicki) along with the DeLepee Deaf Center and their "Deaf Choir", visited Woodland Village Nursing Home in Diamondhead December 14th. Armed with goodie bags, cookies and homemade brownies, we sang to the 100+ residents, and visited their holiday-decorated rooms. There is one deaf resident there, Mr. Hoder. He was so moved by the choir's beautiful performance of "Silent Night", he cried tears of joy as he signed along with them. The residents enjoyed it so much, we promised to come back for their Mardi Gras Party!

GIFT CARDS POUR IN FROM QUOTARIANS!
Upon a special request by QI District 21 Governor, Vicki, Quota International sent out a plea to Quotarians for gift cards to help supplement local agency Christmas needs. Cards ranging from $10 to $100 denominations have come from as far away as California! The cards are scheduled to be delivered to Hope Haven, The Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and The Women's Shelter. We are so grateful for these generous Quotarians! They have not forgotten us... God Bless You!

SPECIAL TOY DELIVERY
Joyce Forbush received two giant garbage bags full of new toys from the MS State University Risk Management Students. They have been given to the Hope Haven Outreach Program (that currently assists 96+ children in Hancock County) Thank you to these wonderful students!

WELCOME TO OUR NEW QUOTATION MARK... ASHTON PORTER GILLENWATER!
BORN TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31ST.

Quote from "Grandmother" Tamara: New Member Rachel had her baby yesterday around lunchtime! Ashton was 8 lbs 7 ozs and is both handsome and highly intelligent! Both she and the baby are doing fine. Conveniently, yesterday was also the day set aside for closing on her new house - but everything went well with that also though Rachel herself had to miss the big event! Big brother Bryce is delighted, is glad he got a brother instead of a sister and is anxious to have him home so they can play. He says he has a lot to teach him!

SERVICE COMMITTEE

ON-GOING PROJECTS:Please continue collecting cellphones for the the Women's Shelter) hearing aids (give to Peggy Bosma for the Deaf Center) and eyeglasses (give to Doris Mahalek for the Lions Club)

Socks n Pockets

Socks and Pockets are scheduled to visit East Lawn Elementary in Pascagoula on Tuesday, December 19th.

DONATIONS:

Thank you to our Friendship Club in Parkes New South Wales, Australia! With their donation, we will be purchasing books and socks for future visits with Socks n Pockets.

THANK YOU to to QI Quirindi, Australia! Our wonderful friends from down under also sent us a generous donation, which we will use for books as well.

THANK YOU QI Tacoma, Washington! They sent $2,000.00 in donations for District 21 projects. $1,000 was presented to Hope Haven Children's Shelter, during a visit on Thursday, October 19th. When we arrived, Terry had just received a phone call about 4 children that had been abandoned on a relative's doorstep and she didn't have beds for them. He had just purchased bunk beds for the girls, and the bill was slightly less than $900! Sweet dreams, little ones, thanks to Quotarians!

$1,000 was presented to Coast Camp Care, during a visit the week prior. This money will be combined with others, to help build homes for the homeless in Hancock County.

THANK YOU QI INTERNATIONAL! $232.64 was sent in "last minute donations to Hurricane Relief. This money was pledged to the K99FM Radiothon for Hope Haven. The Clear Channel Radio Station hosted a "Hope Haven Day" on Oct. 10th, and raised a whopping $2,972.64! The money will not only purchase a much-needed swingset, it will be used to help house and feed a large group of student volunteers coming during Christmas break to help Hope Haven with their recovery efforts. BOB DEVER, of K99FM also helped in getting the Bay St. Louis Kiwanis to assemble the swingset!

QUILTS FOR KIDSWe still need LOTS of help cutting out and sewing quilts! The sewing club can't do it all. If you have already taken some fabric to cut out, please make sure you bring it to the meeting on Thursday the 26th. There will be several of us that will be sewing. Here's a picture of one of the quilts sewn by members of the Sewing Club, Melonie Raymond, and Ann Schekel (Friends of Quota). They had the pleasure of delivering it in person to Hope Haven.

Harlem Globetrotter's Ambassador visits local school children thanks to Quota!
Otis Keys, Goodwill Ambassador for the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters, was a special guest at St. James Elementary School on March 15. Mr. Keys spoke to the children about staying in school, listening to their parents and teachers, and accomplishing anything they set their minds and dreams to with practice and determination. He then "Wow'd" the crowd of Kindergarten and 1st Graders with his moves. Each child was treated to cookies and juice, served by Quotarians, and awarded a commemorative pin, plus a ticket to the Globetrotter's Show on March 17th at the Coliseum

Shenanigan's Parade Was A Spectacular Success!
What an outstanding job of teamwork! From the Colleen's/Grand Marshal Party, to the beautiful parade, the Basket of Cheer, and the After Parade Party! Quotarians, you outdid yourself once again! Thanks again to our gracious Grand Marshal, George P. Corchis, Jr. and our lovely Colleen, Miss Meaghan Fox. We were very honored to have such royalty leading our parade!

Thank you to our Guest Speaker for February
Michael Hall, Outreach Coordinator for Memorial Behavioral Health, was our program speaker at our regular meeting, February 22 at McAlister's. He discussed their programs available for children and adults. Thank you, Michael!

QI MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST WELCOMES 7 NEW MEMBERS!
We will officially welcome and install new members at our Feb. 10 meeting. Welcome: Daphne Kelly, Cindy Lahaie, Sarah Morrison, Patty Price, Jennifer Pyron, Gloria Smith, and Bridget Logan! Click on the icon to the left to see a photo album of the day.

Welcome New Members!

OPERATION "EARPLUGS" AT THE MONSTER TRUCK SHOW
As a Community Service Project, we passed out hundreds of earplugs at the Monster Truck Show, Saturday, February 10th at the MS Coast Coliseum. On each bag was a message to "Protect Your Hearing. Enjoy today's event, but please wear these earplugs, compliments of the MS Gulf Coast Chapter of Quota International." The crowd was very appreciative for the free earplugs, and WLOX-TV13 did a story on it! The entire project was a great team effort. Way to go, Quotarians!

Everyone helped putting stickers on the bags.

Peggy hands earplugs to a family

Nancy gives a family earplugs

New member, Gloria jumps right in!

Cindy and Tamara enjoy visiting too!

Darlene and Sarah were kept busy!

SOCKS & POCKETS AT LYNN MEADOWS DISCOVERY CENTER

Rosetta Richard, Brenda Rouse, "Socks" and Betty Shaw

Upon invitation, our award-winning "Socks & Pockets" Program was presented to visitors of this wonderful children's discovery museum during the Christmas holidays. Brenda Rouse interpreted and taught children sign language for words like "reindeer" and "snowman". After storytime, we painted snowflake faces. The program was so well received, we plan to make another appearance in the Spring!

SOCKS ON TV!

Socks on TV!

Our "Socks and Pockets" program was featured on WLOX-TV 13's Midday show with Rhonda Weidner and Tommy Richards on Tuesday, August 22nd. "Socks" told the audience about the program, it's beginnings and where we are now. To donate gifts of cash, books or socks, or to schedule your school for a visit from this Award-winning program, please contact: Peggy Bosma at the DeLepee Deaf Center - 897-2280.