I recently read an interview of Scott Kelley who returned from a 340 day visit to the International Space Station. While on board the station, Kelley took hundreds of images. Reflecting on his time away, he said, “I think it does change you when you spend all this time removed and detached from Earth. And you follow what’s going on earth and mostly what the news reports is not good stuff…we should be doing better. We can do better. We've got this great planet down there. Let's take care of it and let's do a better job." The phrase stuck me as a Rotarian who promised to be mindful of others in my personal and professional life. The Rotary Foundation is a great vehicle for us to implement Kelley’s thoughts in our own community and globally.
The earthquakes, wildfires and droughts Scott Kelley saw in space are a few of the challenges that we collectively face. The Rotary Foundation is evolving to participate in the global answers to the new challenges our world faces. The Rotary Foundation continues to bring global solutions to so many struggling on a daily basis in our world through your support.
Thank you to Allen Grosnick for his recent contribution to The Rotary Foundation.
TRF is starting to look beyond preventing polio to ensuring it doesn’t surface again. One of the assurances against further out breaks is clean water. The global population needs to recycle and clean water to ensure the planet remains a great place to live. The Springfield Rotary Club will be seeking a global grant to bring more clean water to the Sok Sobay Medical Clinic in Cambodia. First, we hope to bring more filters to the village and second, we hope to offer a solution to the problems from lack of sanitation infrastructure. On April 15th, 2016, the Cambodian Medical Clinic Foundation we are working with will host their 4th Annual Wine and Beer Tasting at Springfield Country Club to raise money to underwrite such efforts.
I am happy to announce the Paul Harris Committee has chosen to honor Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts as a Paul Harris Fellow at our annual eventon May 12th, 2016. The event will be held at Colony Club from 6pm to 8pm. The ticket price is $55. A full buffet will be offered with a cash bar.
As executive director, Andrew Moorhouse is responsible for overseeing the management of the Food Bank, and building partnerships with individuals, organizations, businesses and government entities at all levels. He also works to carry out public education, and collaborate with the Board of Directors to advance the mission of The Food Bank. Previously, he directed Solutions Community Development Corporation in Holyoke, which he founded in 1995. He was also director of the Greater Holyoke Community Development Corporation and was director of Casa del Pueblo in Washington, DC. Andrew serves on the Board of Directors of Partners for a Healthier Community in Springfield, and is the current chair of the Leadership Council of the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness.
In addition, we will present $4,000 in grants for local non-profit 501c3 organizations with a maximum award of $2,000 per recipient organization. Please follow the link to obtain an application. The application deadline is April 15th, 2016. The Grants will be presented at the Paul Harris event on May 12th, 2106. Thank you to Sue Lavoie for managing the grant submission process.
I received a nice note on Bill Massidda from Bernie Spirito. Please continue to send your Club experiences with Bill to me. I understand he is still bringing his music to the Rotary Club of Wells, Mane. I will being card for all to sign on April 1st, 2016 that will accompany the letters to the York, Maine Rotary Club.
In Service,
Thank you for your daily actions starting the ripple effect of positive energy around you.
Congratulations to our Club's multiple Paul Harris Award honorees: Jim Russell (l. Paul Harris +4), Dene Kimball (c. Paul Harris +5), Peter Pappas (r. Paul Harris +2) and Bob Dambrov (second picture) who were presented rThank you for your continued generosity to The Rotary Foundation and all do you for others in our community!
Springfield Rotarians Ellen Moorhouse, Amy Scott and former Rotarian Jennifer Schimmel will share their experiences on their Global Village trip to Guatemala this past November at the Springfield Rotary Club's luncheon meeting on Friday March 11.
Jennifer Schimmel, Executive Director of Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, led a group of 14 local volunteers to help build and celebrate the 75,000th “Habitat home” in Guatemala. According to Ellen “this was a life changing trip and we are looking forward to sharing our international experience with the Springfield community."
Other members of the trip joining Ellen, Amy and Jennifer will be Marge O’Connor, Susan Austen, Walt Tomala, Kim Rexford and Mark Rogerson.
We have 30+ attending our lunch with the West Springfield Rotary on 3/15/16 at Storrowtown Tavern Carriage House at noon. We are all gearing up for a great lunch of traditional Irish Food and Drink. Remember to wear your Green!!!
The St. Patrick's themed buffet lunch is just $12.00. This is a joint Rotary Club Meeting and will take the place of our regular Friday noon meeting for that week. Reservations Closed March 1st. To inquire about any late available space email: stella_kalamarakis@comcast.net.
Back by popular demand, the Cambodian Medical Foundation will be hosting its 4th annual Wine and Beer Tasting Event on Friday, April 15, 2016 from 5 to 8pm at Springfield Country Club, 1375 Elm St., West Springfield, MA.
This year there are three craft beer breweries, a hard cider, and featured wine. The wine and beer vendors include Nick DeCesare Wine Distributing Company, New City Brewery, Lefty’s Brewing Company, Powder Hollow Breweryand Artifact Cider. Hot hors d’oeuvres, pasta stations, fruit, crackers and cheese buffet, and Desserts provided by La Forentina Bakery will complement the tasting. Opportunities to win door prizes every half hour, raffle prizes, participate in fun games to win bottles of wine will be a part of the evening
All proceeds go directly to supporting the greater Springfield-sponsored Sok Sobay Medical Clinic in Cambodia, which provides healthcare to over 16,000 Cambodian children and adults annually. The Springfield Rotary Club partnering with the Foundation provides water filters for these families in this remote village as part of the healthcare program. (For information on the clinic, go to: www.cambodiamedicalclinic.org
The District Conference is planned for April 29 to May 1st at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis, MA. Our theme is Hawaii 7890.
The Cape Codder Resort & Spa is right off the highway and offers convenient parking. We plan to begin on Friday evening at 6 pm with a cocktail hour followed by a delicious Luau dinner. We are also planning an exciting evening of entertainment. More to come on that.
On Saturday our general session at will begin at 9:00 am with registration and breakfast starting at 7:30 am. Saturday will be filled with exciting breakouts, as well as our Rotaract Conference. If you have a Rotaract Club or are thinking of starting one, be sure to be part of this. Youth exchange students and the South African VTT teams will also be presenting.
It’s been a great year for District 7890 and we plan to celebrate with fellowship and informative breakout sessions. And if anyone can inspire enthusiasm, it's our Rotaractors, Youth exchange students, and VTT teams; they’re an exciting bunch.
Click this link http://goo.gl/2WvEMe to register for this event. Please do register as soon as possible.
.jpg)
