April General Meeting – New Members, Child Abuse Prevention Pins and some fun!

What a fantastic meeting this month where we all wore blue in support of Child Abuse Prevention.

April, Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, is an important time to start the conversation in our communities about how we can keep our children safe. 

We sold pinwheels with proceeds being donated to local child abuse prevention services.

Click this image for a fantastic cheat sheet so you know what to look for and how you can help.

We welcomed three new members to the club this month.

Morakot Chaiyahanij – Introduced by Annette Carey & sponsored by Kelli Malik.

“I am 56 years old, a licensed massage therapist and have owned “Massage by Morakot” in Cocoa Beach for the last 30 years. I am currently serving a second term as President of the Cocoa Beach Kiwanis Club. I am originally from Thailand, where my parents served in the military. I graduated from Satellite Beach High school. I have three children, two girls and a boy, who are all college graduates and living on their own. I’m looking forward to continuing serving our community with you wonderful ladies. I appreciate being invited by Annette.”

Pat Romanosky – Introduced by Bonny Block, Sponsored by Marilyn Grigsby
“I live in the Meridian Condominium in Cocoa Beach.  My husband, Joe, and I have been married for 52 years and
together for 56 years.  I taught Physical Education, and he taught fourth grade and both of us coached sports for 33
years.  We have two daughters, Kristi and Kara who are military and veteran activists.  We have 5 grandchildren.  I
was born and raised in Southampton, NY where my husband was Mayor for six years while we were both teaching. We did a plethora of community service and
educational endeavors. I am looking forward to joining this awesome group of women.”

Sharon Haydon – Sponsor Pam Johnson
“I dreamed of warm weather, blue skies and the beach, prompting me to move to Cocoa Beach from West Virginia the day after high school graduation. I went to work at the Cape and spent my career in the space and defense industry acquiring my MBA and a MA in Guidance and
Counseling while working full time. I retired from my job as finance administrator and now enjoy competitive duplicate bridge and playing several acoustic instruments with a
band, entertaining at nursing homes. I am a long-time member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International and have participated in many philanthropic fundraisers, including golf tournaments and fashion shows, and was a state
officer. I have made auction baskets, served meals to the needy, advocated for women in domestic violence cases
at the courthouse, facilitated survivors of suicide support groups, and I advocate for my disabled son. I traveled extensively with my husband Ray in our younger years and now enjoy being at home in Merritt Island. I am excited to be joining CBWC and look forward to making friends and doing good in the community.”

This month we had a fun program from Clare Jones and Wendy Gordon as we worked on interacting with each other better. It was lovely to see members who didn’t know each other, breaking off to learn fun facts, and then finding out other fun things about the GFWC, our club and our members in our fun club quiz. The winners took home some English candy!

Quiz master Clare!