Minutes of the December 18, 1999 meeting of the Tampa Chapter SAR

President Yarnell called the meeting to order at 12:00. Chaplain Jim Washburn gave the invocation and the president led the pledge to the flag and the pledge to the SAR.

Members present: Dwight Tetrick, Elwin Thrasher, Marty Miller, Jim Washburn, Jim Chambers, Barry Rich, Bob Yarnell, and Kevin Yarnell

Welcome guests: Janett Tetrick, Billie Washburn, Kirby Halbert, Jack Bolen, and Major Harry Lescano

President Yarnell welcomed the members and visitors and reminded all of the events of Valley Forge wherein our ancestors endured much for our benefit.

The membership approved the minutes of the November meeting which were distributed.

The secretary reported on the absence of President Yarnell. He was attending a state education conference.

Treasurer Marty Miller presented the financial report indicating a balance of $2,533.08. He also reminded the membership concerning the payment of the 2000 dues. Fourteen members have renewed thus far.

Barry Rich reported that he'd received no responses to the Eagle Scout award competition. Compatriot Rich had even increased our local monetary prize at his own expense in the hope of generating additional motivation. The chapter thanked Barry for his hard work.

The secretary reported receipt of just one essay to date for the Knight Essay Contest.

A Board of Governors meeting was scheduled for Jan. 5^th, 7:00 at Tampa Catholic High School.

Vice President Tetrick reported on the availability of a "Cold War" certificate available to members who served our country during this period. He is the recipient of just such a certificate and showed it to the membership.

The meeting adjourned for lunch.

President Yarnell reconvened the meeting and introduced Vice President Tetrick who, in turn, introduced the speaker, Major Harry Lescano of the Salvation Army. Major Lescano has served the Salvation Army for 50 years- 38 in active service and the last 12 in a retired capacity.

The Major began his remarks with a brief reflection on the season of Christmas. Next, he related the story of how the kettle became a fund raising idea in such wide use by the Salvation Army. It seems a ship had run aground off San Francisco in 1894. The local Salvation Army unit was hard pressed to provide food and shelter for the survivors. One of the leaders of the Army in SF hit upon the idea of standing by a soup kettle, ringing a bell, and asking for money. The idea proved very successful and in the ensuring years spread to other areas and units.

Major Lescano concluded his formal remarks with some statistics concerning the efforts of the Salvation Army in the Tampa Bay area. The secretary recorded the following facts:

§ Assisted 4,000 families in Hillsborough County in 1999

§ Distributed 10,000 toys

§ Provided 36,000 night's lodging for the homeless

§ Assisted 226 women at the "Hospitality House" a resident program

§ Provided 28,000 meals for the homeless

A question period followed.

Vice President Tetrick presented Major Lescano with an SAR coffee mug as a token of the chapter’s appreciation for his work and presentation.

The 50/50 drawing was won by the president who offered his half of the proceeds to the Salvation Army. Compatriot Miller moved that the chapter's share also be donated. This was agreed to without objection.

The president led the recessional, the chaplain offered the benediction, and the meeting adjourned at 1:12.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Yarnell

Chapter Secretary