Geoff led us in the Pledge of Allegiance (standing optional) with the help of Jim Gilcreast who raised the flag in honor of Flag Day!!

 

INSPIRATION
Holly Applegate sang “Simple Gifts” a great American folk song written in 1848.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
Geoff thanked Mary Brewster for orchestrating our Zoom meeting and Holly Applegate for doing the inspiration and taking notes.

 

Tom Updegraff of CyberScout is tomorrow’s guest speaker, with practical advice on preventing online identity and data theft. Join us on Zoom:

Or by phone: 929 436 2866

 

Guests at the meeting: Marc Harris, a prospective member from Saunderstown. Marc is planning on joining again because we are offering virtual meetings.

 

The District 7950 Installation Meeting will be held on Zoom Friday, June 26, at 7:00 pm. Charlene Jarest of the Fall River club is our incoming District Governor.

 

We are happy to welcome back Margaret Kane. Marc Harris mentioned that he is dealing with an auto-immune illness.

 

Jim Gilcreast gave a Happy Buck because he is happy.

 

Sharon Garland gave 10 Happy Bucks to thank Bryan Cook for his years of reporting for the newsletter. She also thanked the reporters’ committee:

Holly Applegate, Erica Busillo Adams, and Bob Murphy and our newsletter editor, Art Norwalk.

 

Barbara Harris gave a Happy Buck for being grateful to be back at a Rotary meeting. She also thanked Inspiring Minds for all they are doing for the children at Harry Kizirian School. Barbara is enjoying having 3 pen pals from the school.

 

Mary Brewster gave a Happy Buck for Christy Clausen for all she is doing for children and families in Providence,

 

Anthony Hollingshead gave a Happy Buck for the membership committee and their plans for Zoom After Hours.

 

Don Saracen gave a Happy Buck for his youngest grandson, Johnny Blue Eyes, 6 years old, who has been in commercials for PBS.

 

Tiffany Bumgardner Scheffler gave a Happy Buck for her baby daughter and the honor of being chosen for the 40 under 40 award through Providence Business News.

 

Luis Lourenco gave 10 Happy Bucks for his daughter who just graduated with the class of 2020 at Boston College.

 

Anthony Landi gave 10 Happy Bucks to thank Anthony Hollingshead for keeping in touch and for his successful fishing trip with his son who caught a big fish!

 

Marc Harris gave 2 Happy Bucks as an Alum of Appalachian State University and the class of 2020 and for the gorgeous day in Saunderstown.

 

Pres. Geoff Gaunt gave a Happy Buck to congratulate Erica Busillo Adams, Providence Public Library/Director of Development and Tiffany Bumgardner Scheffler, Narragansett Council of Boys Scouts of America/Director of Field Service and Chief Operating Officer. Both were honored to appear on the 40 under 40 List in Providence Business News.

 

HELPING OVER 24,000 FOOD INSECURE KIDS IN PROVIDENCE
Club member Christy Clausen, whose day job is program manager for the Providence Parks & Recreation Dept., reported on the increasing problem of hunger due to the coronavirus and what the city is doing to help.

 

In Providence County there are 24,430 food insecure children. The overall food insecurity rate is 17.8%. 74% of households Income are eligible for nutrition programs.

 

Christy oversees 14 school-based distribution sites (11 am to 2 pm), 11 recreation centers (4pm to 6pm), home delivery, kosher meal sites and food donations. She has also established a partnership with Urban Greens to provide fresh produce. They have put together produce bags with ingredients to make a meal such as a hearty soup with cooking instructions.

 

Our club is planning on helping with some literacy focused activities at recreation centers in July and August.