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Today, Rob hosted a Zoom meeting with 8 other members members present (including Bob H., currently in St. Johns !) and 2 guests, Ira Dunne, of The Social Brain, and Dee Earle-Browning, prospective member and owner of Your CBD Store on Rte. 112 in Terryville (590 Patchogue Rd., PJ Sta.). Among Rob's announcements: The Executive Board will meet this Friday, February 18th, via Zoom at 8 AM. All members are invited to attend, but you must let Rob know you'll be doing so in order that he can send you the Zoom link. Mike B. and Rob will soon be assigning monthly tasks to our members. More information will be forthcoming. Rob again introduced our speaker, Ira Dunne, to tell us about The Social Brain, a New York State non-profit organization started in 2018 by professionals and families to serve brain-injured individuals. This 501c3 was created in 6 months to also serve their families. Monies raised through donations help provide services, opportunities, and activities for the brain injured and their families that enable them to build friendships through socialization, reducing isolation via networking and activities- all designed to improve the quality of life for those involved. Usually, monthly social gatherings are planned, ie., picnics at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, or handicap-accessible hayrides at a local farm, trivia contests, costumed activities, and the like. During Covid, most meetings have been/are accomplished via Zoom. The Social Brain now has a Medical Needs Care Closet, which collects and then redistributes free necessary supplies (ie.,adult diapers, gloves, nutrition drinks, baby wipes, walkers, etc.). The Closet, located in the new Village Community Center on Wireless Rd. in Centereach, is well-stocked. The Closet has grown fast locally and has become nationally known. Extra supplies are constantly received at The Closet from doctors, hospitals, medical supply companies, and the like. The Medical Closet works on the same concept as a food pantry, People can come into the Closet to "shop" and pick what they need off the shelves. Supplies are also sent free throughout the country, though usually families receiving goods contribute to the cost of shipping. Ira mentioned that March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month and that local brain injured individuals and their families will be celebrating one day that month at a local restaurant. The Social Brain is made up of all volunteers (no staff), but there is a Board of Directors made up of 8-10 members who are professionals, brain injured members, and family members. Ira invites you to follow this organization on social media. The internet address of this organization is TheSocialBrain.org , and the snail mail address is 496 Hawkins Rd., Selden, NY 11784. You are invited to become a member/supporter. The price of membership is a donation. As more activities are planned, so are friendships. By the way, emerald green is The Social Brain's color. The Social Brain will provide brain injured speakers to all groups such as Scouts, schools, businesses, etc., in order to raise awareness. Ira offers to provide/coordinate meetings with businesses. You can also call 631-793-4311 if you wish to join the growing number of Social Brain volunteers. Who were our Super Bowl Pool winners? Mike S. won the 1st and 3rd quarter, while Tara won the 2nd and 4th. Bravo! Thank you, all participants, and Yay, Becky, for again hosting this event!!! Rob collected Happy Dollars today: $5 from Bob, who was happy to hear Ira's update; $5 from Dennis, who was happy for Mather's excellent ER care and good diagnosis (no broken bones) following his fall on black ice on his driveway; and $2 from Cindy, who was happy to have not fallen, though shoveling out twice after the most recent snow/ice event. Rob announced that since Covid cases are now down (to 3.1%), we should be able to return to full in-person meetings (no Zoom) at Cafe Spiga. Nancy reminded us of Mather's plan to make many updates, including increasing space requirements in its ER (currently at 40 some odd beds in small cubicles). The public will be advised of the public planning approval meeting(s) soon. Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 22nd. This will be an evening (5:30 PM) social gathering (perhaps a happy hour at Saghar). Rob will send out an email to invite all members, spouses, & friends once arrangements have been made. |
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