Happy Holidays everyone, no matter what holiday you celebrate: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other holiday. What a wonderful way to end the calendar year. So many of our clubs celebrate the season of giving by having holiday traditions that bring good cheer to those less fortunate. I am so proud every time I witness one of those great programs. Many clubs also have a holiday party for their Rotary family. Rotary really is a family, and celebrating the holidays with your Rotary friends is such a great tradition.
 
As the year draws to a close, I want to encourage people to think about the Foundation. This is a wonderful time to make a donation to the Foundation, and if you make the donation through our District Foundation Chair, Pete Apicella, you can get a chance for each $20 that you give by December 31 at one of two Paul Harris fellowships. I have made it a personal tradition to give to the Foundation every December because it truly is a gift that keeps on giving.
 
I want to take this opportunity to welcome the Presidents-Elect to the leadership of Rotary and your club. DGE Scott Schulick has been working with the district training committee to put together a strong Pre-PETS program early in 2018, and the five districts of Ohio have almost all the details in place for a great All Ohio PETS in early March in Columbus. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the current club presidents for the great job that they have done so far this Rotary year. It has been such a pleasure to work with such gifted and hard working people.
 
I hope that you and your family have a wonderful holiday and that the New Year is filled with health, happiness, and fulfillment.