Pledge of Allegiance
Led by George Babcock with a trivia question.
Question: The first crusades were 1000 years ago in Jerusalem. What was the name of the military order that cared for the sick and injured. Answer: The Hospitallers were a religious military order founded in the 11th century in Jerusalem. They were also known as the Knights of the Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem. (Kudos to Bob Murphy for knowing the answer.)
Inspiration
Don Saracen gave this inspiration. Throughout its history, Rotary International in general and our club in particular has inspired and motivated members with powerful works of wisdom “Service Above Self.”
Yes, the motto of Rotary International, and it encapsulates the essence of our organization. It reminds us that true fulfillment comes from serving others and making a difference in their lives. By putting the needs of others before our own, we not only improve the lives of those we serve, but also our own.”
Word of wisdom by humorist, Dave Barry. “All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears-of falling, of the dark, of Lobsters, of falling on lobsters in the dark, of speaking before a Rotary Club, and of the words “Some Assembly Required.”
On Zoom
Sam New, Maury Ryan, Kevin Oates, Lew Hassell, Michaela Hermann, P.J. Fox, Ray Hull
Visiting Rotarian
Tammy DeBarros, RC of New Bedford
Announcements
Membership - President Pete thanked Anthony Hollingshead and the membership committee for their work as well as club members who have helped the club recruit 15 new members so far this year. He also thanked the committee for organizing the upcoming on-boarding meeting for newly inducted members as well as prospective members.
Warm clothes Drive for Dorcas International-Items to bring to the luncheon meeting include gently used and cleaned coats, sweaters, hats, gloves and winter boots. We are also collected new socks. We have reached out to the Ocean State Job Lot charitable Foundation to ask for new items to support the drive. Contact Emily Bernstein if you have any questions.
Reading Week at the Harry Kizirian Elementary School begins on March 24th. Please contact Art Norwalk is you can give an hour to read to a classroom that week.
Happy Bucks
- Bill Applegate was $20 happy to see so many members on zoom and in person to hear our speakers from the San Miguel School. He also attended the party that celebrated Emily Bernstein’s Wheelhouse Health accomplishment of eliminating over $1 million dollars of health care costs for those in need.
- Liz Messier was $100 happy as she shared that she is so grateful that she woke on the early morning of February 2nd as it was then she found her daughter, Katie outside of their home unconscious after falling on the ice. Katie sustained a fractured skull and blood bleed due to the fall. Liz reported that Katie is on the road to recovery.
- Art Norwalk thanked everyone that helped place the bookmarks in the books the club donated to the Harry Kizirian and George J. West elementary schools. He is waiting to set a date for members to place bookmarks in 600 more books when they arrive.
- Bob Murphy was happy for the many years he has been a mentor to students at the San Miguel School.
- Anthony Hollingshead was happy that he had a great time on a recent cruise and his seeing two large Rotary billboards when he got off the ship at two of the ports
- Don Saracen was happy for being a part of the events we sponsored for the students at San Miguel and hopes that we can bring back the fishing event for the students.
- Mary Brewster was happy that she and Rob had a great trip to Italy.
- Allison Mascola was $20 happy as she and the rest of the members from Merit 2.0 are happy that they provide the IT support for the San Miguel School.
- Mel Bride was happy that alumni Geo was able to speak to the club about his experience as a student at the school.
- President Pete Brock was happy for the club’s continued support for the San Miquel School and expressed his thanks to Art Norwalk for the work he continues to do to support the club’s literacy initiative. He also has started a new hobby of making sourdough bread.
Speaker
Mel Bride, Executive Director, of the San Miguel School was introduced by Bill Applegate. Bill shared that he became aware of the school during Holly’s presidency and the annual Christmas luncheon we have. He visited the school in January where two students gave him a tour of the facility and programs. From the impact of the visit, he realized that the club needed a refresher of what San Miguel offers to its students.
Mel shared how the school began with only $40,000 and the vision of Lasallian Brother Lawrence Goyette in 1993. He started the school for young men from South Providence to address the needs of communities within low-income neighborhoods. The school grew from fourteen boys in the fifth and sixth grades to the middle school it is today by 1995. Its current maximum enrollment is sixty-four middle school boys.
From its humble beginning, Brother Lawrence stressed the need for these young men to have a sense of community and family. Every student is taught the importance of greeting people with a handshake and a smile. The students are given individual attention by the teachers and the support staff.
The school has an active extra curricula program (Green Team, Chess Club, Scholar’s Club, Culinary Club and a variety of sports teams including crew, soccer, golf and basketball), a summer camp, and expanded connections with people and organizations in the community. Each of the 64 students are paired with a volunteer mentor who meets with them over lunch once a week for all four years.
The school over the year’s has developed a strong academic program that includes teaching students to learn uses in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
Mel then introduced one of San Miguel’s alumni, Geovanni Barbosa, to speak to the club about his experiences as a student. Geo graduated from the school in 2017, from St. Ray’s in 2017, and is a senior at Providence College majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology. He is also on the Friars Cheer Team.
Geo stated the “the impact doesn’t hit until you leave San Miguel.” It is then that you understand how the school has prepared you for the future and how important the family of San Miguel is to you. It is a brotherhood and a family that has your back for your entire life. He referenced the continuing support from the alumni team to assist each student with navigating further education or just help with life.
Mel shared that the school continues to tuition free and that the current school budget is $2 million dollars. The funds are raised through grants, sponsorships, fundraisers, and donors. She invited club members to attend the Annual Gala and Miguel Medal Ceremony “Hoops, Hearts and Hopes” at the Pawtucket Armory on Friday, May 2nd.
Editor's Note: My apologies for being late on the delivery of this newsletter.
During the time there, we were treated to a visit from Mário César Martins de Camargo, the incoming president of Rotary International.