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Tuesday, July 18, 2006 No. 41 Vol. 84
Newsletter
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Today’s Speaker: J. B. Gaskins FLORIDA BLOOD SERVICES
J.B. Gaskins began his blood banking service in 1980 with LifeSouth
Community Blood System (formerly Civitan Regional Blood Center) in
Gainesville, Florida while he was attending the University of Florida.
He worked for Holmes Regional Medical Center Blood Bank from 1981-1984,
before returning to Gainesville and LifeSouth. In 1994 J.B. moved to
Birmingham, Alabama to start LifeSouth’s first branch out of the state
of Florida. Over the next four years LifeSouth opened two more branches
in Alabama. J.B. served as the Regional Director for Alabama Operations
until 1998 at which time he joined United Blood Services as the
Executive Director of the Fargo, ND center. He served as Executive
Director from 1998 – 2001, before returning to Florida and becoming Vice
President of Donor Recruitment and Donor Services for Florida Blood
Services.
J.B. and his wife Susanne have been married for 25 years and have
three children (Andrew, Kathryn, and Matthew). J.B. also serves as a
Major in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he just completed a one year tour
to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
J.B. puts his money (or should I say blood) where his mouth is. He
is a 13 gallon blood donor and has given over 100 platelet pheresis
donations.
TODAY’S QUIZ
1. Who was the 25th President of the United States? 2.
Who is credited with discovering Florida? 3. “Manly deeds, womanly
words” is the motto of what state? 4. Who is credited with inventing
Tupperware? 5. In what state is basketball said to have originated?
LAST WEEK AT
KIWANIS Our program on July 11th featured a
return visit from Coach Jim Leavitt, football coach for the USF Bulls.
Coach Leavitt spearheaded the program’s start ten years ago when he was
hired from the coaching staff of Kansas State University, a team he
helped build to prominence. Amazingly, he took a $20,000 pay cut to
return to the Tampa Bay area for the job and to be among family and
friends, most notably Jim Fischer.
Coach Leavitt told amusing stories including one about a missing kicking
tee prior to the kickoff of the Bulls very first game and of the first
year when there were no games, just practice. Recruits were hard to come
by back then. But things have improved greatly since. The Bulls are now
a Division 1 team in the Big East Conference, assuring the conference
champion a BCS bowl bid. Last year, the Bulls secured their first bowl
bid and were in the running as conference champion until a November
fade. A personal highlight for Coach Leavitt in the 2005 season was a
sideline visit with Penn State’s Joe Paterno and then almost beating the
Nittany Lions.
Recruiting has been strong with a chance of snagging Matt Sims, son of
Phil Simms, and brother of the Bucs’ Chris Simms. Coach Leavitt is proud
to be a Bull and sees the program continuing to grow. Last week, 85
players practiced and Coach Leavitt is highly impressed with the skills
of the receivers and linebackers.
Coach Leavitt has devoted much time to the Jim Fischer Scholarship Fund
and, as reported by Terry Hirsch, a member of Jim Fischer’s law firm,
this year’s donation from the golf tournament to the fund was $10,900. A
big Kiwanian thanks to Coach Leavitt for his help. With this money, Bob
Byelick was pleased to tell us that we are now able to offer
scholarships to an additional 21 students.
Coach Leavitt impressed upon us that having a positive influence on
young people is more important than winning or losing. As he put it,
“When you’re playing shuffleboard one day, who cares if you won ten
games? But if you’ve changed a young man’s life, that’s the kind of
impact that means something.” We thank Charles Stuart for presenting
Coach Leavitt and look forward to the 2006 season with the same
enthusiasm as the Coach.
VISITORS AND GUESTS
We were pleased to welcome 15 visitors and guests last week. Terry
Hirsch brought Ron Gregory. Michael Humlica introduced Steve Christy.
Cathy Swanson hosted Mark Johnson. Bill Allard brought his wife,
Christine and son Matthew Kolb. It was all in the family as well for J.
C. Russell who brought daughter Rachael Russell and Kevin Kelso who
introduced his son Kyle Kelso. Stephanie Hall Holden presented Jason Fox
and Weyman Willingham hosted Dan Morgan. Steve Cunningham brought
today’s speaker, J. B. Gaskins and Jack Collins welcomed John Ellis.
Lorin Bridge introduced Eric Laventure, Doug Lampe hosted Kraley Bedle.
Ron Scoggins brought three guests, Kathy Turner, Chuck Peterman and Rick
Robertson. We hope they enjoyed our program and will consider becoming a
Kiwanian!
INAUGURAL AWARD
President Cathy Swanson announced that we received the inaugural Mayor’s
Community Champion Award. We thank Mayor Baker for the honor. The award
is displayed in President Swanson’s office.
DON’T FORGET – "DINNER WITH FRIENDS"
TOMORROW EVENING, JULY 19TH All the world’s a
stage and Social Committee Co-Chair Tom Nelson reminds you that you must
‘act’ now to enjoy an evening of food and fun tomorrow night. The
evening begins with hors d’oeuvres at Tom and Nancy Nelson’s house from
5:30-7:00 p.m. Everyone will then proceed to the American Stage Theatre
Company for the show Dinner With Friends which begins at 7:30
p.m. Ticket price is $26 per person in groups of 10-19; less with a
larger group. You can still sign up to take advantage of this great
price and great Kiwanis Social.
PRAYER OF THE DAY:
Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace,
and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the
earth, that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the earth is
filled with the knowledge of your love. Amen.
LAST WEEK’S QUIZ:
1. According to the Bible God planted the first garden.
(Genesis 2:8) 2. The planet Pluto was discovered in 1930. 3. The
capital of Alaska is Juneau. 4. Richard Milhous Nixon is President
Nixon’s full name. 5. The Purple Finch is the state bird of New
Hampshire.
Sign on a Wrecker – We don’t charge an arm and a leg. We want
tows! |
