President Pete encouraged members to express their love to family and friends now, noting that future opportunities may be uncertain and unshared sentiments might lead to regret.
Visitors
Elaine Fain, Matt Sharrio and Tammy DeBarros
Zoom Attendees
Richard Applebaum, Lew Hassell, and Anthony Landi
Announcements
Membership
President Pete acknowledged the excellent job Anthony Hollingshead and the membership committee are doing recruiting new members. This year the Club has 15 new members and 4-5 potential new members.
Literacy
Art Norwalk invited Club members to attend a school assembly at Kizarian School on April 25. Authors Hayley and John Rocco, keynote speakers at the 2024 Literacy gala, will read to the children.
Legends for Literacy Gala
Planning is starting for October 16 gala – President Pete said to expect an outreach to serve on a committee.
Rotary Blood Drive
The Providence Rotary Club is organizing a blood drive, coordinated by Michaela Hermann. When donating, please use the number 0792 instead of the name of Providence Rotary. Contact Michaela to make an appointment or use the link below.
School supplies
This autumn, the Club will again provide supplies to Providence schoolchildren. Mary Brewster said the cost is $40 per classroom, with options for members to sponsor one or two classrooms.
Happy Bucks
- Bill Applegate had five dollars because he was happy to see Barry and Elaine Fain, also because the sound on Zoom was working!
- Walter Adamowicz was happy to be at the meeting.
- Art Norwalk thanked Rotary volunteers for labeling books at Books on the Square last week.
- Liz Messier was happy for the 42nd birthday of her son, Dennis, “best son ever!”
- Richard Applebaum had $10 for Alex David, Liz Messier, and Holly Applegate for their performances in Into the Woods.
- Pete was $10 happy because he decided to be happy!
Speaker
Glenn Halvarson, RI Blood Bank
Glenn Halvarson works to recruit blood donors for the Rhode Island Blood Bank. RIBB is a major blood bank in the United States and is the exclusive blood provider in RI. In the United States, blood is needed every two seconds.
Each pint of donated blood can help three people by being divided into platelets, red blood cells, and plasma. Donated blood is vital for mothers and infants, accident and burn victims, chemotherapy patients, and others with critical needs.
Although 65% of people are eligible to donate blood, only 3% actually do. Donors must be at least 16 years old (with parental permission) and weigh at least 130 pounds. Many people self select out of donating because of uncertainty. If you are interested and have questions, contact RIBB, they have staff ready to guide potential donors.
To prepare for donating Glenn recommends drinking healthy fluids, eating regular meals, and getting a good night's sleep the night before. Donors will have an interview with medical staff upon arrival at the donation center. The donation process usually takes 5 to 7 minutes, with a short recovery period afterwards.
