Opening
The monthly meeting of the Organ Transplant Recipients of SWFL Inc. was called to order at 11:45 a.m. on March 7, 2019 at The Sanctuary located at 8960 Colonial Center Drive in Ft. Myers by President, Shamie Kelly.
Announcements
- Anniversaries:
- Visitors:
- Member Updates: Mike Terry went up to Tampa to try and alleviate the problems he has been having with ringing in his ears. BJ Odom has sold his home in the area and is moving up to the Lake Wales area to be closer to his daughter. Jeff Jansen’s family sent over all his old medications which will be getting destroyed after todays meeting so if you need any please help yourself.
Reports
Secretary’s report has been approved and minutes are available on the website. David Weinstein, Treasurer reports that as of 2/1/19 the group had a balance of $10,707.31 and we had deposits totaling $302.50, $30 of which was membership dues, $22.50 from the monthly 50/50 drawing, and $250.00 in donations on behalf of Jeffery Jansen. We had $80.57 in expenses for food from last month’s meeting and two $25 checks were sent to LifeLink in honor of members Jeff Jansen and Phil Schomer leaving a balance of $10,879.24 Donna Williamson was not present today so there is no Fletcher Fund report available.
Old Business
David Weinstein arranged for our lunch sponsor today which was Wawa on Del Prado in Cape Coral. Please thank them for their support. Shamie Kelly is reaching out to the Southwest Florida Community Foundation to ask for a meeting to be held at their new location in downtown Fort Myers and have Sara Owens come speak about the foundation and our funds being held by them. Details to follow.
New Business
Marketing material quotes are in and will be distributed via the website for members to review. We now have a donate button on our website! Please encourage your friends and family to share it throughout their community. We now have an Instagram and Twitter account, neither will be used to follow people but rather they will be used to share information about the group and events. Please share to your social media pages and ask your friends and family to follow us on our various social media accounts. Press releases for Night for Life will be going out soon. Everyone who would like to be involved with our event are encouraged to contact Shamie Kelly or Melissa Tuff to discuss where you can be of assistance. The theme of this year’s event will be similar to last year with 2 memorials for members who have passed recently. Paul Lewis suggests we work with Hammond/CenturyLink Stadium who offers 50 tickets to non-profits who are willing to mind their “community corner” during a game. Paul will contact them and gather more information for the next meeting.
LifeLink
Shamie Kelly has been talking with Ashley Moore to discuss a joint upcoming meeting. More information to follow. This month’s organizers meeting is on Thursday March 21st at 11:30am at the Downtown Fort Myers Library.
Upcoming Events
The Fort Myers Kidney Walk is coming up on March 24th at Lakes Park in Fort Myers. Registration begins at 8:30am and the walk begins at 10. The group is signed up and members are encouraged to join our team by visiting kidney.org Drag Queen Bingo is at the Moose Lodge on Santa Barbara in Cape Coral. The group will receive a portion of the proceeds. Admission is $10 and includes one bingo card, additional bingo cards will be for sale. Please call the Moose Lodge to RSVP as the event is expected to sell out. Flyers are available and the event is also on the website and Facebook. The next Night for Life planning meeting will take place on the 27th at Crispers in Fort Myers at 3:30pm. Members are encouraged to ask for donations from local businesses to be used as auction items. We need your support in this to ensure the event is successful! Tickets are for sale now, invite your friends! Pitch for Life
Member Announcements
Secretary Melissa Tuff reports that her recent trip to Washington DC for the National Kidney Foundations 6th Annual Kidney Summit was quite successful. While there Melissa met with Florida Representatives and Senators to discuss such pressing issues such as the Living Donor Protection Act and the introduction of legislation to extend Medicare immunosuppressant coverage beyond 36 months for transplant recipients. Members are encouraged to contact their local representatives asking that they too co-sponsor both of these important pieces of legislation and anyone needing help in doing so can reach out to Melissa directly. Rick Keatley has scheduled his 4th annual transplant recipient picnic at Oscar Scherer State Park on April 13th, 2019 from 9am-2pm. Melissa will send out the link via email for the perfect potluck so that people attending can list what items they will be bringing.
50/50
$10 to winner and $10 to the group
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 1:35p.m. by President, Shamie Kelly. The next general meeting will also be on April 4, 2019, at the
Minutes submitted by: Melissa Tuff, Secretary