The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Navy veteran George Babcock.
INSPIRATION
Cap Willey spoke about our third President, Thomas Jefferson, who was both a founder of the country and primary author of the Declaration of Independence. His extraordinary accomplishments were many including law, architecture, founder of the University of Virginia. He was also a slave owner.
Jefferson quotes:
“When angry count to ten before you speak, when very angry count to 100.”
“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as a cause for withdrawing from a friend.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
President Steve reported that:
- The Providence Mayoral Debate, moderated by the Boston Globe’s Dan McGowan, is scheduled for the August 23 Club meeting.
- Margaret Kane is in rehab and not yet able to have visitors. While this is frustrating for her, she’s a fighter! He’ll keep us updated.
Polio
Kris David presented an update on the recent polio case in Rockland County, NY. The 20 year old man, like many in the area, was unvaccinated. Since the diagnosis there have been two clinics where over 300 children were vaccinated. Rotarians can help stop the spread in local communities by educating parents and providers about this case and the importance of polio vaccinations.
2022 Legends for Literacy Gala
Pete Brock gave an update on the 2022 event and invited members to become involved and ensure another successful year. He and Susan Kearney will serve as Co-chairs and Barry Fain is the Honorary Chair. Susan has recruited the participation of Malcom Mitchell again this year.
Committee chairs are Kris David, prizes; Don Saracen, sponsorships, Art Norwalk, marketing; Holly Applegate, banquet; Peter Loescher and Pete, legends.
We need support from all, contact a committee chair to get involved.
Don Saracen reported that the sponsorship committee is off to a good start with five sponsors:
Super Bowl Champion - Susan Kearney
Conference Champions - Holly and Bill Applegate – The Applegate Foundation -- and Peter Loescher
Division Champion - Anthony Landi – Northeast Financial
Game Sponsor - Cherie and Don Saracen
HAPPY BUCKS
- Pete Brock $5 because football season has started and for his and Jaeger’s birthdays
- Kris David because her son is moving to Florida from the West Coast
- Holly Applegate $6 to congratulate Bill Applegate and Walter Cotter for hiking the 95 mile West Highland Way in Scotland
- Art Norwalk $5 for Rotary’s upcoming Providence Mayoral Debate. We can help get the word out by liking and sharing the post on the Rotary Club of Providence Facebook page.
- Herb Altman $10 in honor of the great Bill Russell and the great influence he had on our world, including civil rights.
- Cap Willey $2 to remind members to think of questions for the debate, they will be collected before the event.
- Richard Applebaum $10 for donating a 1974 LeMans car he inherited from his 99-year old aunt
- Walter Adamowicz for his wife’s recovery from knee replacement
- Maury Ryan $2 for the Rotary Book Club that will start meeting in September
ROTARIANS FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Robin Singer, of the Falmouth Rotary Club, shared her club’s imitative supporting the fight against human trafficking in Nepal and India.
The club is working to combat this problem with direct service, like teaching over the Internet, and raising funds to buy computers and increase Internet service. They have received a District Grant for their project and they invite other Clubs to become involved.
There are 40 million victims across the world, mostly female and primarily in Nepal and India. Sex trafficking includes:
- Bonded labor (Children forced to spend their life working as slave laborers)
- Forced begging
- Domestic labor
- Child marriage
in Nepal that has rescued 4000 woman and children and helps them develop the job skills they need so they never have to return to forced labor.
Robin shared a video, Anjoli’s Story, documenting one girl’s journey in Nepal from enslavement at 11 years old to her rescue from a brothel at 15. Now 27, she is married with a small child. Her current focus is a school she founded to support victims.