At today's luncheon, we met our Mt.Sinai High School 2017 Rotary Senior Scholarship for Community Service recipient, Ben May. Ben gave us a most impressive oral resume which easily explained why he was selected for this honor. Ben told us that he has always been a tree-hugger. He started the Environmental Club at his school and initiated, among other successful activities, a collection and recycling program for cans and bottles that raises impressive funds for other activities. Ben attended the Conservation Summit twice in DC, speaking about supply & demand concerns protecting the world's oceans and presented and discussed ideas about the need to prevent world famine by decreasing certain types of over-fishing. He also gave a presentation at the UN to the Environmental Quality Council. Ben will attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall and plans to major in economics and international relations. He plans to gain proficiency in 6 of the world's languages- including Arabic, Spanish, French, Mandarin, & Russian, and wants to focus his political activism on promoting the decrease of mankind's ecological footprint on our planet.
Our 2nd speaker was Hope Children's Fund (HCF) founder and president, Larry Hohler, who provided an update on the youngsters who are cared for at the Jerusha Mwiraria Hope Children's Home in Meru, Kenya. He began by showing a large photo of 22 year old Catherine Nkatha, who came to the Home in 2005 when the orphanage first opened. At that time, she was malnourished and suffering from many ills. Catherine eventually became one of HCF's success stories- having her good health restored via proper nutrition and care, doing well in school, and presently completing her 2nd year at Rabate Presbyterian Teachers Training College, where she aspires to be an excellent teacher and eventually a school headmistress. Larry went on to mention that of the original 18 orphans (there are currently around 80 being cared for) one is in Pre-Med at Jomo Kenyatta University, one is preparing at the prestigious Nairobi Technical Institute to become an architect, three are studying medical technology or engineering at Mt. Kenya University, and another is completing his Doctor's Assistant Program at Kenya Methodist University. Two of the orphans are now married and working mothers- one teaching Swahili at a local high school, and another working as a pharmacist in Meru Town. Among other newly-independent orphans and productive adults, there's a beautician, a cell phone sales person, and a hotel cook. Larry also told of some of The Home's youth who did not fare very well at all, having to be expelled from The Home for a variety of reasons. He reminded his listeners that after the 8th grade, continued schooling is not free in Kenya and that competitive tests must be passed in order for a child's education to continue. While nearly 1/2 of The Home's residents attend local primary schools, the rest attend secondary and post secondary schools of various sorts, which means that tuitions must be paid, and the task of fundraising, both in the USA and in Kenya, continues to grow in importance. The Hohlers will be traveling to Meru in mid-September to check on The Home's (and the children's) progress.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: There's now $747 in the pot waiting to be won- with only 13 cards left to draw from. The Ace of Spades is still among them. (A Joker also lurks in the pile, though). It could be YOU who wins the pot. Next opportunity: our Monday, 8/14 "Celebration of Susan" at Cafe Spiga, which begins at 5:30 PM. ***Kindly remember: we will NOT meet on Tues., 8/15! Also, if you haven't RSVP'd for the 14th to Sharon yet, please do so. On 8/22, we will have a Club Assembly at Cafe Spiga.***On Tues., 8/29, instead of meeting at noon at Cafe Spiga, we'll meet at 5:30 PM on Pat Sabo's (boat) dock at Old Man's Boatyard for an evening gathering. Dennis invites you to take part in a Greenway Clean-Up on Sat.8/26 from 8 AM- 9:30 AM, starting at the Port Jeff Station entrance (Rte 112). Let him know if you can volunteer. How are your sales of Raffle Tickets going? Susan reminds you that the Drawing is only 5 weeks away and asks that you turn in your ticket stubs and money as soon as you are able to do so. Meanwhile, keep selling!!! Our next Stuff-A-Van Event will take place on Saturday, 9/9 at Mt.Sinai's King Kullen. Volunteers to help Bill are welcome. Sharon, Susan, and Archana delivered the club-purchased backpacks and school supplies to The Open Cupboard today, and they were well-received there by Vicki Rybak. Michael, Bob H., and Paul much enjoyed participating in the Rocky Point Rotary Golf Tournament and managed to win a prize before the rain-out. Mather Hospital is again sponsoring the VILLAGE CUP REGATTA. This popular event (the 8th Annual) will take place on Saturday, 9/9, from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. YOU, your friends, and family are invited to be crew members on the Mather Team boats. No prior sailing experience is required. Responsibilities will include trimming & handling of sails, moving from one side of the boat to the other at the captain's request, winching or tailing the sheets of the sails and aiding in the navigation of the race course. Crew members are invited to the Skipper's Reception at the Port Jeff Community Center after the race. They also receive an event t-shirt and hat. All participants are asked to donate a minimum of $25 and are encouraged to help raise additional funds from family, friends, co-workers, or business associates. Checks should be made payable to the Port Jefferson Yacht Club Foundation. Donations are tax deductible... Interested? Contact Cindy Court in the Public Affairs Dept. or email ccourt@matherhospital.org. OR see Nancy Uzo for more info., for example, how to take advantage of Corporate Partnership Opportunities. (Funds raised will be used for research in the fight against pancreatic cancer- divided equally between the Lustgarten Foundation and Mather's palliative care program.) Meanwhile, the Port Jeff Yacht Club invites you to a Harbor Sunset Open House & Networking Event on Thursday, August 10th, 5:30PM to 8:30 PM, when you can learn more about the Club and the Village Cup Regatta. There will be a cash bar, with light snacks and hors d'oeuvres served. RSVP to Diane MacDonald (631-403-4847). ***SAVE THIS DATE, please:THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th: the date of our ANNUAL PAST PRESIDENTS DINNER & RAFFLE DRAWING (& celebration of the 80th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLUB's FOUNDING !).This auspicious event will take place at Savino's Hideaway, corner of North Country & Pipe Stave Hollow Roads in Mt. Sinai. RSVP to Sharon. Southold Rotary's August 30th golf tournament will benefit Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, Eastern LI Hospital, and other Rotary Service Projects. The outing will take place at Island's End Golf & Country Club in East Marion, beginning with a 1 PM Shotgun Start. The $132.50 donation (based on 2 foursomes) with check made out to Port Jefferson Rotary Club Foundation pays for :a goody bag; green fees & golf cart; driving range/free range balls; all club facilities; lunch starting at 11:30 AM; fellowship after golf- 2 hour open bar with appetizers beginning at 5:30 PM; delicious dinner buffet with dessert and coffee; prizes; beer,soft drinks, & water served on the course; ice cold clams on the half shell; and special raffles. All participating clubs providing foursomes are eligible to compete for the coveted "Challenge Cup". Tues., 9/19 is the tentative date for a visit by DG Wendy Walsh.Kevin is planning an early 2018 club ski trip for members (family & friends, too) and will advise us once the event is set up, providing all the necessary info. for prospective participants.
Jim has a supply of PJ Rotary golf shirts and will part with them for $10 each. Do you own one? If not, why not?
Bob is still seeking evening meeting places, 1 per month. Contact him if you can provide a meeting site.
***Please check out our page on Face Book- and Like Us.
If you missed today's meeting, kindly inform Yvette about make-ups in a timely fashion.
***The following is a list of donation "assignments" for members' once-a-month donations via the Club to the Open Cupboard: (*If you don't see your name on this list, select an item from it for your donation.)
Betts, Judi: Toilet Paper
Bossert, Ken: Shampoo/Conditioner
Brennan, Dennis: Canned Fruit
Brennan, Sharon: Spaghetti Sauce
Berner, Cynthia: Rice
Curry, Bill: Apple Juice
Dinunzio, Ed: Diapers
Engelhardt, Debbie: Juice Boxes
Gautam, Archana: Baby Wipes
Hanson, Susan: Baby Formula
Hohler, Yvette: Beans
Jaeger, Bill: Canned Vegetables
Janhsen, Karl: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
Jurasits, Erika: Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Kopcienski, Al Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Lund, Amy: Canned Chicken
Murray, Kevin: Tuna
Rhatigan, Jim: Diapers
Sabo, Pat: Beans
Sceiford, Michael: Grape Juice Boxes
Vigliante, Paul: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
***Check the list for your name and assigned item. (If you are not listed, you may donate any listed item. Corporate members are encouraged to donate individually. If you would like to be listed with a specific item, contact Debbie and specify your item of choice.)
***Bring contributions to the Heritage Diner 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.
...BILL CURRY, who has a birthday on August 16th; SAMANTHA DiGIACOMO, who will celebrate her birthday on August 21st; VINCENT MALIZIA, whose anniversary was August 6th; KEVIN MURRAY, who had an anniversary on August 7th; and AL KOPCIENSKI, who is celebrating his 58th year in Rotary, while HOWIE WUNDERLICH marks his 63rd!
