President James Grossi opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a prayer by Vicki Kahn, dedicated to the memory of our fellow Rotarian Ray Prag, who passed away on October 29, 2026. Tom Guldi was Sargeant, and quizzed us on dates in history, starting with Guy Fawkes Day, right through the US Dakota war of 1862. A moving presentation was made by John Ammirati for Blessings in a Backpack, a not for profit that feeds over 100,000 kids every weekend in 46 states. Food insecurity is a major challenge for many children. When school lets out on Friday, these children often have nothing to eat until Monday morning when school reopens. Blessings in a Backpack provides nonperishable food to tide them over the weekend. Started in 2005 in Louisville, a chapter was opened in 2012 in Brookhaven’s Longwood School district, and in January of 2025 expanded to include Hempstead, Huntington, Sachem as well as some Headstart locations. Brian Leiser encouraged us all to contribute to this worthy organization.