The speaker at the Dec. 6 Rotary Club of Edina meeting was Matt Halley, executive director at Cookie Cart. He spoke about "Cookie Cart: Baking Bright Futures." Jean Morrison encouraged everyone to donate gifts, gift cards or cash to the annual Rotary Holiday Giving Program. This year, the donations will benefit Cornerstone and 66 West. Donations accepted at the meeting Dec. 13 and the Holiday Party Dec. 20.
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Past President Jennifer Bennerotte handled the Dec. 6 meeting for the vacationing John Flynn.The invocation was given by Rotarian Dr. Arthur Rouner, retired Pastor of Colonial Church in Edina and the Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation. He referenced the funeral service for the 41st U.S.President George H. W. Bush, who laid in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, followed by a service at National Episcopal Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2018. Arthur stated “both parties came to tears to mourn our loss.” His helper dog , Sully, who had accompanied President Bush’s casket from Texas, lay at the foot of the flag-draped casket. The son of President 41, George W. Bush, asked specifically for President Trump to be present at the Rotunda and for him and the First Lady to attend the funeral service. President Trump invited the Bush family to be his guests at Blair House. There was a remarkable spirit of reconciliation demonstrated before us all. Let us give thanks for the great gift of our country.
"Dear Lord of all faithfulness, thank you for the spirit of forever forgiveness in unexpected places, so needed, in this America we love. In these dark days you are the Lord of all hopefulness, and all healing. Help us to follow you in all paths of goodness, with our many opportunities as Rotarians, and as citizens of this good land, called to serve the world in its great need. So bless us all, we pray. Amen."
The speaker was Matt Halley, Executive Director of Cookie Cart, and was introduced by another Past President, Ann Platt.
Cookie Cart provides youth with a lasting and meaningful work, life, and leadership skills through experience and training in two urban non-profit operating bakeries. The majority of teens learn how to set goals and work toward them.
Cookie Cart Bakeries, which are located in North Minneapolis and St Paul, employ 350 youth between 15 and 18 years old. This past year they were paid a living wage as well as providing them with training to pursue career employment. Some students go from high school to a full-time jobs, tech school or pursue a college degree. One-third of the non-profit's annual revenue comes from cookie sales. The goal in three years is that half the revenue would come from cookie sales.
In 2017, 72 percent of the Cookie Cart alumni were still employed three years after leaving Cookie Cart.
Jennifer Shinners thanked the speaker and Jennifer Bennerotte adjourned the meeting.
