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News of the Meeting of March 3rd

 
At today's meeting, Rebecca Kassay reported to us on her journey as a volunteer so far, reminding us that her project's goal is to empower others.  Her docuseries, "Be The Change With Rebecca", is now in post-production, having been filmed during July and August.  Among the first places she visited with her film crew: the Spirits Horse Rescue in Baiting Hollow, where "throw-away" horses are rehabilitated and often used as therapy animals, and where volunteer opportunities abound.  On Governors' Island, Rebecca participated as a volunteer in the Billion Oyster Project.  NYC was once the oyster capital of the world.  Oyster reefs now being created have the power to transform the city's harbor by providing the habitat for hundreds of species, filtering the water, and helping shield the shorelines from future storm damage.  In Jersey City, NJ, Rebecca volunteered at an historical cemetery that didn't have perpetual care and had long ceased to be viable, even though its early history was most impressive- the scene of early battles, perhaps the first integrated cemetery, where descendants of the likes of Alexander Hamilton were interred along with freed slaves, and possibly served as an underground railroad site. Volunteers are now cleaning up and resurrecting the cemetery and are using goats to help with the project.  In Baltimore, Rebecca learned about "food desert areas", usually communities of color, virtually barren of stores/shops where essentials can be obtained. Such areas are now being brought together with the help of volunteers in a positive way.  In Washington, D.C., Rebecca participated in Sidewalk Talks, a non-judgmental listening opportunity, where volunteers come to listen with empathy to folks who need to speak their minds on all manner of topics.  In Harrisburg, PA, Rebecca took part in "Recycle Bicycle", where she joined local volunteers who collected and restored damaged and abandoned bikes, and taught bike repair, maintenance, and safety to recipients who had limited means to access bikes on their own. In Columbus, OH, Rebecca joined volunteers who delivered groceries from food pantries to people who could not get to the pantries on their own.  In Detroit, MI, she joined a gang of volunteers who rode on lawn mowers, cleaning up recreational spots such as public parks and playing fields, and who held "trash fishing" competitions -removing trash from local waters.  (Rebecca starred when she pulled up a fire extinguisher!)  During her travels, Rebecca often stopped at Rotary clubs to learn about local volunteer opportunities.  Among such opportunities, she found: "Beverly's Birthdays", which throws parties for people who can't afford to celebrate; "Edwin's", a culinary institute that teaches formerly incarcerated people to cook and work in a kitchen; the Auburn Auto Museum in Indiana, which welcomes would-be volunteer auto mechanics and vintage car lovers;  an organization that registers voters; another that collects supplies for teachers; and Sleeping Bear Nat'l. Park in Upper Michigan, where one can learn to be and then volunteer as a blacksmith (National Parks welcome volunteers to perform all sorts of interesting things.)  Shortly after returning home, Rebecca traveled to China for more group learning and volunteer work.  Her next plans?  More travel and volunteering, of course, throughout the USA and abroad (did I hear Central Europe?) and more making of short videos  that will help viewers fall in love with community service.  We should be able to catch the edited videos eventually on Amazon Prime- and the like.  Meanwhile, you are invited to check out www.bethechangewithrebecca.com .
We also welcomed Michael Duffet, a possible prospective Rotarian, as a guest at our meeting.

 
 
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS:  ***NEXT TUESDAY, 3/10, we will return to Cafe Spiga at noon, where we will welcome and honor Comsewogue's Most Motivated Student of the Month. *** REMEMBER: THIS IS ALSO AN OPEN CUPBOARD COLLECTION DAY.  Please bring your donations to the luncheon.  If you are unable to attend this meeting, kindly ask another clubmember to deliver your goods for you.  There is currently $109 in The Pot. You've gotta be in it to win it!  Congratulations, Judi, on your selection as Brookhaven's Woman Volunteer of the Year!  Club members are invited to celebrate Judi's honor with her at the 34th Annual Women's Recognition Awards Night on Tuesday, March 24th, 6:30 PM at the Town Hall Auditorium (2nd Floor), 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville.  Paul announced that we will be inducting our newest member, Debbie Helmke, at an upcoming meeting. Paul also thanked Rebecca for graciously hosting last week's evening social gathering at her Fox & Owl Inn.  Mike spoke about the club ski trip in New Hampshire last week.  He and Jen agreed that a good time was had by all participants.  Thank you, Kevin, for your event-planning efforts!  Members are now looking forward to next year's ski opportunity. Meanwhile, Rotarians, look for the video on social media!    Pat reminds you that volunteers are welcome and needed to join in the Chandler Estate Park Clean-Up this Saturday, March 7th, beginning at 8 AM. (The wood chipper will be doing its job at a later date).  Please plan to wear heavy gloves. If you can, bring a lopper or hand saw...but most important: bring yourself! (Family members & friends are welcome, too.)  Also, please spray yourself for ticks prior to beginning the work- just in case. Judi is contributing towards the cost of lunch at Tara's. Yvette invites you to attend the Saturday, March 14th  special showing of the delightful African film "Liyana" at Huntington's Cinema Arts Centre (on Park Avenue) at 12 noon.  Hope Children's Fund is hosting this event and the Kenyan Crafts Show & Sales following the film.  Dennis will be hosting the Rabena sisters, PJ High's excellent RYLA representatives, at an upcoming club meeting so that they can present a fundraising proposal to us. You are invited to join the members of the Rotary Club of Patchogue when they honor their President on March 12th at "An Irish Wake" at the Bellport Country Club.  Contact Judi for the details.  Mike is seeking another assistant at his Edward Jones office.  This will be a full-time administrative position.  Contact Mike for the details and if you know of an eligible job-seeker.  Save this date for The Andrew McMorris BSA 1st Annual 5K Walk/Run: March 28th. The Place: The BSA Camp on Sound Ave.in Baiting Hollow. Time TBA. Also planned for this event: a "virtual walk". Judi will provide more details soon.  On March 28th, we will also hold a Stuff-A-Van Event at the Setauket Stop & Shop (Rte.25A) from 10AM to 1 PM. Volunteers are invited to share with Dennis their interest in helping out. Jen provided information about some excellent opportunities again offered by the Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition (BCCC):  1.The BCCC $1,000 Scholarship to be presented to a 2020 graduating HS Senior who will continue his/her education in business-college, trade school, etc.  Applicants must submit via email to bransome@optonline.net  a maximum 500 word or less essay entitled "Why I want to continue my education in business." Essay deadline:3/23/2020;          2) BCCC Economic Stimulus Incentive Grant- $1,000- for a Chamber member/ a member of BCCC, who will write a narrative of how the money will be spent so that it benefits BCCC membership and/or improves member services; and 3) a BCCC "Small Business Improvement Award Grant" of $1,200 for businesses of 50 or less employees, not including non-profits, that have been in business for at least 1 year- March 23rd deadline.  For additional info, contact Barbara Ransome at 631-889-1190 or email bransome@optonline.net.   Remember: the Italian Rotarians who hosted Bob's visit will be in our area from 5/19-5/29. Al has generously donated the use of his barn on 5/22 for a BBQ with the Rotarians from Italy. Our club members, family, and friends are hereby invited to attend. This should be a most enjoyable event!  Please note our Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Spring Clean-Up date: Sunday, May 3rd.    
     
                                             ***March is Rotaract Month in Rotary.***

Check out other upcoming events that might be of interest to you that are listed with appropriate details on our Events Calendar on this website.

                            RI's 2019-2020 theme: "Rotary Connects The World".

***Please check out our page on Face Book- and Like Us. ***Photos from our 2018, 2019, and 2020 Winter Golf Classics are posted there as are photos of the inductions of our newest members, presentations of honors to special club members, participants at our most recent Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Clean-Up, and other delights.

 

 

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CONGRATULATIONS TO:

...PAUL VIGLIANTE, who celebrates his birthday on March 5th;  DALE KUHN, whose birthday is March 10th;  TOM DONLON, who will have a birthday on March 13th;  PAT SABO, who, on March 15th, will be celebrating his anniversary;  MARIANNE DESZCZ, whose anniversary is March 25th;  and DENNIS BRENNAN, whose anniversary is feted on March 29th.  Best Wishes, All !

      

MARCH CLUB SERVICE ROSTER

TABLE:  MICHELLE CRUZ & NANCY UZO

INVOCATION:  CINDY TISCHER & SAL FILOSA

SERGEANT AT ARMS:  JIM RHATIGAN & DEB ENGELHARDT

Your OPEN CUPBOARD Donation List

***NEW LIST BEGINNING NOVEMBER 5th!***

***The following is a list of donation requests from The Open Cupboard (in order of need)***:

Cold Cereal-

Canned Chicken-

Tuna Fish-

Boxed Milk-

Baby Wipes-

Toilet Paper-

Shampoo-

Conditioner-

Toothpaste-

Deodorant-

 

***Kindly select the item that you wish to contribute and bring it to the Collection Day Meeting.  Once a new list of donors and their matching donations is completed, it will be noted above.

***Bring contributions to Cafe Spiga on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, or give to another Club member who will be attending.

*** If you would like to be reimbursed, bring receipt(s) to the meeting.

                  ***Thanks for your community and Club support!***

Thought for the week:
I don't snore;  I dream I'm a motorcycle.

  

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Quote of the Week

"There is no better exercise for your heart than reaching down and helping to lift someone up."

                            -Bernard Meltzer