Rotary Bulletin 01/27/16 (Jan 26, 2016)

I was recently given a Rotary lapel pin saying “Building Communities, Bridging Continents.” The message has stuck with me the last few weeks. “Building Communities, Bridging Continents” was Rotary International’s theme during Presidency of Ray Klinginsmith 2010-2011. In the Rotary Club of Springfield, we are incorporating past RI President Klinginsmith’s theme.

At the Friend of the Homeless Shelter on the First Thursday of the month, you all are the hands serving food to the homeless. Past President Jay often shares with you all at a Friday meeting how his favorite day of the month is the First Thursday because each diner can’t hide their excitement as a hot meal is handed to them. We are continuing to develop a relationship with the Springfield Public Schools through Alicia’s effort to form a program to mentor middle school students in Springfield. Each small action creates the ripple effect to create community based on the dignity of each member.

Looking beyond our immediate community, we have been building our relationship with the Cambodian Clinic Dr Maryanne Herron spoke about so passionately last week. The ripple effect coming from clean water is far reaching. Dr Herron described the two young women currently in college and several others who have expressed an interest in beginning college from the remote village the clinic serves. On the foundation of health and education a bridge is built to exchange ideas and create economic opportunity across continents.

As I move into the latter part of my term, I am learning what Rotary really is: a global network of individuals forming friendships, sharing opportunities and engaging in meaningful pursuits to ensure the bridges between continents stay in place to give each global citizen a life of dignity and opportunity.

Jack

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All I Can Do-Tell Their Stories
Giving and Receiving-Rotary

Member Birthdays

Bert Carter

January 2

Sarah Tsitso

January 3

Paul Sears

January 13

Laurie Rosner

January 25

Spouse Birthdays

Randy Kuerzel

January 8

Elizabeth Toner

January 13

Join Date

Dene Kimball

January 1, 1966

50 years

Raymond Serrenho

January 1, 2003

13 years

Maryanne Herron

January 4, 2008

8 years

Richard Fulkerson

January 9, 2015

1 year

Brian Sears

January 16, 2004

12 years

Bob Agnoli

January 17, 1975

41 years

Michael Kelley

January 23, 2015

1 year

Bill Low

January 28, 1994

22 years

Dene Kimball Woodcarver

Our Club's own G. Dene Kimball will talk about and demonstrate his talent and passion for woodcarving at this week's meeting. Dene's work has graced numerous community sites wherever he has lived. You've heard about it---now come and see for yourself!

Clean Water Project Improves 100,000 Lives

Posted on Jan 26, 2016

MaryAnne Herron, Ph.D., Director of Special Projects at the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation spoke at the Club's luncheon meeting on Friday, January 22nd. Our Club has been a longtime supporter of Dr. Herron's work with the Grinspoon Foundation and others who have made measurable positive impact on the lives of people living ion a small rural community in Cambodia.

Dr. Herron reported on the progress begun through the provision of hundreds of water filters---purchased, in part, through funding from our Club over the years. The work expanded to include the building of a health clinic and school and the establishment of a group of Girl Guides (similar to the Girl Scouts). Dr. Herron works closely with the Girl Guides of Cambodia as girls and women are treated as second class citizens there and receive little education. Many are sold into human trafficking. Most recently, two young women from Dr. Herron's Girl Guides program have attend college as a direct result of this program. Three more are expected to go on to college this year.

Our Club is fortunate, indeed, to have such direct personal contact with a successful clean water project in a needy foreign community through Dr. Herron's work.