Paul Harris and Community Award
The Rotary Club of Springfield will be celebrating our 102nd Anniversary at The Fort Restaurant in Springfield on Thursday, May 11, 2017 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. The Club will mark its 102nd Anniversary by presenting two Paul Harris Fellowship Awards and giving away $6,000 in grants to deserving Springfield charitable organizations. The Paul Harris Award is the highest honor local Rotary Clubs bestow on local Rotarians or community leaders who embody the Rotary mission of "Service Above Self." A $1,000 gift in each of their names has been made to the Rotary Foundation, supporting international and domestic humanitarian Rotary efforts.
Club President Laurie A. Rosner, Chair of the Undergraduate Business Programs at Bay Path University says "we want to show our commitment to the Springfield community and what Rotary is doing locally that evening. We are dedicated to service above self. We are happy to host a fun community celebration for individuals and organizations who are making a positive difference!”
Peter H. Lappin, former Director of the Western Massachusetts Office of Economic Development is being awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Springfield Rotarian Jack V. Toner is being recognized for his support of the Rotary Foundation and his service to the Rotary Club of Springfield as past president." Lappin followed his career in Public Service with a life of remarkable volunteerism and the generous sharing of his time and talent. Rotarian Paul Lambert, Vice President of Enshrinement Services & Community Engagement at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame says, “Lappin has been on the Basketball Hall of Fame/Springfield Rotary Club’s Annual Holiday Showcase/Service Above Self luncheon Committee since Day 1. Peter actually lives out the motto “Service Above Self” better than most anyone I could name. The list of Peter’s volunteer activities on his Resume simply don’t tell the proper story for the thousands of hours of volunteer work he does throughout the City. He’s everywhere and tries to help everyone who needs help. Peter is an extremely generous and kind man. From his church to the Spirit of Springfield to all veteran’s events, Peter is everywhere.
The Springfield Rescue Mission, Stone Soul, Inc., New England Public Radio, The Gray House, Inc., The Springfield Museums and Dakin Humane Society are the 2017 community grants recipients. Each recipient will receive a $1,000 grant to be used as follows: The
Springfield Rescue Mission will use the grant for their Operation SONshine Summer Program which will increase the number of meals served to mothers and children using their mobile food service.
Stone Soul, Inc. is helping to fight disease through “Community Health and Nutrition Breakfast” sessions. Sessions about Healthy/Nutritional eating are held every month for a year in the Mason Square area.
New England Public Radio’s, Media Lab Program provides free after school training and mentorship. A program, which focuses on youth and career preparedness.
The Gray House, Inc. grant will help provide kitchen appliances for their Kids' Club. An after school program for low-income youth who are provided a nutritious, sit down dinner each day.
Springfield Museums wants to take a "SMART" Approach to Education Outreach. They will be purchasing a smart board to enhance and support educational programming and connect with other museums and to assist with training.
Dakin Humane Society will host a FREE Community Vaccine Clinic in the Mason Public Library in Springfield. The $1,000 grant will underwrite the vaccinations and preventative treatment fees for over 150 dogs.
Cambodian Beer & Wine Tasting
Cambodian Beer & Wine Tasting event, held last Friday to benefit the Medical Clinic in Cambodia, was a lot of fun as you can see from the photos below.
GUEST SPEAKER THIS FRIDAY
Cynthia (Cyd) D. Melcher, executive director of the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts will address the Springfield Rotary Club's luncheon meeting on Friday, May 5th. Part of Cyd Melcher’s presentation will include a short quiz on international affairs. Browsing the World section of the New York Times or any other major news source should prepare you for her questions.
Cyd Melcher has been Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts since 2003. She has spent most of her career in college and nonprofit management in Western and Central Massachusetts, working at Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and Fitchburg State Colleges, the Worcester County Food Bank and the Children’s Museum of Holyoke. Cyd currently sits on the board of directors of Palmer Public Library—where she serves as president—and the Ferry Beach Park Association in Saco, ME. She is an ESL and citizenship tutor for Top Floor Learning, also in Palmer.
The World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization founded in Springfield in 1926 as a chapter of the Foreign Policy Association. The Council presents regular speaker events on various aspects of international affairs and current events, hosts up and coming leaders from around the world through the US Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, and works with local educators to enrich students’ classroom experience through its School Partnership program.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE IN PROVIDENCE
Jack and Elizabeth Toner attended the Rotary District Conference last Friday and Saturday in Providence, RI. Jack reported RI President John Germ gave a phenomenal address that touched on how each Rotary Club is a unique part of the organization where the talents of each individual Rotarian blend to make such a continuous and meaningful impact on the dignity of each global citizen. Rotary International President Germ shared stories of his visits to Rotary projects and Clubs around globe. He urged us all to tackle the hard jobs in our communities. He encouraged us to collaborate with fellow Clubs in the District and World to turn words into action.
