In the New Year, we will be concluding our Foundation Drive. Thank you to the many members who have contributes thus far. Thank you to Marie Angelides, Michael Kelley and Bob Dambrov for their recent gifts. The recent Rotarian gave a phenomenal story of how your dollars help enhance the lives of others. Naing Ko Ko was jailed for his pro democratic beliefs in Myanmar in 1988. He spent six years and eight months in prison. The Rotarian articles shares how Naing was able to convince a guard to smuggle books into the prison so he could learn to read despite the risk of being caught trying to keep his mind strong. Now several years after his release, Naing is a Rotary Peace Fellow working on his Ph.D. in Queensland Australia. He wants to return to his country to become a chief political advisor to help eliminate corruption and oppression and advance human rights.
Thank you to Ellen Freyman helping to bring several interesting speakers to our Club to start off 2016. On January 8th, Laura Masulis from MA Development will be speaking and then on January 13th, Paul Stelzer from the Springfield Technology Park housed in the former Springfield Armory Facility will address the Club. The last two Fridays in January, we will hear from our very own Dr Maryanne Herron about her October 2015 trip to the Cambodian Clinic. Dene Kimball, our very own master carver and Rotary Foundation Chair will speak his passion for woodworking to round out the month of January. Please consider bringing a guest to hear from these diverse and interesting speakers.
I am excited to announce that we have formed a committee for the Paul Harris Event and Grant Presentation to be held on Thursday, May 12th 2016 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Colony Club. Thank you to Samir Patel, Brennan Collins, Sue Lavoie, Dave Chase and Jim Russell for leading the charge. We will need everyones support to make the event a success. In addition to awarding Paul Harris Fellowships and grants to charities in Springfield, we will have a silent auction to support our club service fund and ample time to network with your fellow Rotarians.
On behalf of wife Elizabeth and myself, I wish you a happy and safe New Year.
In Service, Jack
