INSPIRATION
Jane Kratsch summarized a comment from Nolan Ryan, saying “just because you lose in competition, does not mean you are a loser in life.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
PP Randy Dittmar advised we still have 3 schools left for dictionary delivery. Please see him to sign up to handle this.
As head of committee that counted recent club election ballots, Randy reported the results:
Officers:
Pres. Elect—Geoff Gaunt
1st VP—Anthony Landi
2nd VP-Pat Germani
Secretary—Holly Applegate
Treasurer—Louis Lourenco
Asst. Treasurer—Peter Loescher
Board of Directors through 2020
Walter Adamowicz
George Babcock
Jane Kratsch
Wendy Marcus
Bob Murphy
Congratulations and best of luck to our new officers and directors!
Christy Clausen reported on the successful winter clothing event held recently. 27 families from across the city attended and there was enough clothing and goods to put together additional care packages that were further distributed. Thanks to Ocean State Job Lot and Nordstrom for their donations.
Pres. Don announced that our Million Dollar Meal will be held at Johnson & Wales on April 16 in honor of Mo Gaebe.
PP Anthony reminded all members of the Bring a Guest Day to be held 3/5. Sen. Jack Reed will be our speaker. Please invite friends who may be interested in club membership.
Pres. Don welcomed Jackie Gourd, Jim Alexander and Priya Banerjee back from brief absences.
Wendy Marcus celebrated February Birthdays for Phyllis Fern, Ken Conde, Walter Cotter, and Jim Williams
HAPPY $$$$ Pete Brock
Pete opened with $5 for the 5 Super Bowl Trophies the Patriots already have.
David Hunter—A great SB game
Steve Hug—Good experience delivering dictionaries
Jackie Gourd--$5 for surviving the flu
Pres. Don--$ for the Bertrands attendance and his grandson appearing in a Super Bowl commercial (albeit wearing a mask)
Kris David--$ for PP Anthony’s upcoming 60th birthday which will be celebrated with country line dancing on Patriots Day
Priya Banerjee—happy to be back at Rotary
Jane Kratsch—looks forward to serving on the board
Christy Clausen—best friend is an Eagles fan who got to attend the Super Bowl to see his team win
Barbara Harris--$10 as she missed us all while in Miami and invites the club to attend her upcoming solo art show
George Burman--$ to wish Art luck next year as Pres
Jim Gilcreast-$44 for the Foundation in recognition of his 44 years in Rotary and a $ for Luis’ daughter wearing a BC sweatshirt
Jim Alexander--$ thanking the club for support of celebration of his wife’s life.
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE: SUPPORTING FAMILIES OF HOSPITALIZED KIDS
Karen Bertrand, former district 1st lady, introduced Michael Fantom, CEO of the Providence Ronald McDonald House.
Michael, who has been CEO since 2005, explained that RMH exists to support families putting all of their energy into children being treated in Providence hospitals. He showed a video highlighting the experience of parents of a preemie to illustrate the demands on families with kids in treatment.
After a $5 million capital campaign, the RMH now has 28 rooms (bedroom and attached bath) for guests along with communal kitchen and living space that serves as home base for families of hospital patients. At its heart, the RMH is a support network with 165 volunteers who take care of all family needs so that they can focus on their sick kids. For families who can afford it, a $10 nightly fee is charged. No families are turned away for affordability reasons.
The RMH has a budget of $1.5 million of which roughly 10% is provided by the broader McDonalds corporate family. The take no state or federal funds and survive because of support from the Rhode Island community.
