T’was a Month Before Christmas 2020     T’was a month before Christmas, And all through the town, People wore masks, That covered their frown. The frown had begun Way back in the Spring, When a global pandemic Changed everything.   They called it corona, But unlike the beer, It didn’t bring good times, It didn’t bring cheer. Contagious and deadly, This virus spread fast, Like a wildfire that starts When fueled by gas. Airplanes were grounded, Travel was banned. Borders were closed Across air, sea and land. As the world entered lockdown To flatten the curve, The economy halted, And folks lost their verve. From March to July We rode the first wave, People stayed home, They tried to behave. When summer emerged The lockdown was lifted. But away from caution, Many folks drifted. Now it’s November and cases are spiking, Wave two has arrived, Much to our disliking. Frontline workers, Doctors and nurses, Try to save people, From riding in hearses. This virus is awful, This COVID-19. There isn’t a cure. There is no vaccine. It’s true that this year Has had sadness a plenty, We’ll never forget The year 2020. And just ‘round the corner - The holiday season, But why be merry? Is there even one reason? To decorate the house And put up the tree, When no one will see it, No-one but me. But outside my window The snow gently falls, And I think to myself, Let’s deck the halls! So, I gather the ribbon, The garland and bows, As I play those old carols, My happiness grows.  Christmas ain’t cancelled And neither is hope. If we lean on each other, I know we can cope.

 

Thank you to Sue M for sharing!

Girls Inc. Of The Valley Receives Grant From Rotary Club Of Springfield

HOLYOKE — Girls Inc. of the Valley received a $2,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Springfield to support Girls Inc. of the Valley’s “Bridge the Digital Divide” project. This donation will help girls and their families overcome social and economic stressors during this pandemic.

In the midst of the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for positive, girl-focused, youth-development programming is stronger than ever. Girls who were already dealing with adverse childhood experiences like poverty and racism need additional support during these challenging times, and this donation from the Rotary Club of Springfield will allow both organizations to help serve the community.

Many of the girls have been asking if Girls Inc.’s Eureka! STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education program will happen during the summer of 2021. To ensure the safety of their participants, staff, and volunteers, Girls Inc. will provide Eureka! University, a virtual version of the program, this summer.

Girls Inc. of the Valley aims to inspire all girls to see themselves as leaders with the skills and capabilities to improve and influence their local communities, and its leaders are concerned that COVID-19 will widen the existing digital divide between those with ready access to computers and the internet and those without these resources. Currently, five Springfield Eureka! participants do not have the technology to access virtual programming. Girls Inc. of the Valley’s “Bridge the Digital Divide” project will provide each girl with a Chromebook and wi-fi capability to ensure her ability to participate in Eureka! University this summer, and continue Eureka! programming during the school year.

“We are so grateful to the Springfield Rotary Club for this grant to fund our ‘Bridging the Digital Divide’ project,” said Suzanne Parker, executive director of Girls Inc. of the Valley. “It is critical for girls to have the technology they need to succeed in order to grow up healthy, educated, and independent. This generous grant will provide access to technology that is crucial for girls in the Valley.”

A message from Marc Glass, District Governor 20/21

I am happy to announce that Christine Burns will be your District Governor for the years 23/24. I and the rest of the team are looking forward to working with her. 

Dates to Remember:

March 11,12,13,18,19,20: NEPETS for incoming and Presidents that are staying for another year. All are required to attend as well as the AGs.

(Details will follow.)

1. Encourage your members to make a gift to the Foundation on Giving Tuesday, which is 1 December. Share our video message
2. Give the gift of Rotary this holiday season. Share our digital flyer with members and potential donors.
3. Learn more about our new peer-to-peer fundraising tool, Raise for Rotary, where you can create fundraising pages that are easy to share with family and friends through social media and email.