Pledge of Allegiance
Bill Applegate
Inspiration
Gabby Bello offered this inspiration…
“Yesterday marked the 128th Boston marathon where over 25,000 runners made their way from Hopkinton, MA to Boston cheered on thousands of people on what was a beautiful Patriots Day. While the Boston marathon is often remembered for the tragedy that happened in 2013, it has also seen countless inspiring moments throughout its 127 years. Like Katherine Switzer who in 1967 was the first officially registered woman to run the marathon and Johnny Kelley who at the age of 84 years old completed his 61st marathon. These stories not only show the dedication to the sport but also, the resilience of the community. As we stand here today, let us carry forward the spirit of resilience, unity, and triumph, knowing that with each step we take, we honor the legacy of those who have come before us and pave the way for future generations to chase their dreams.”
On Zoom
Lew Hassell, Sam New, Ben Hadsell and Rob Brewster
Guests
Mr. Elezaj, visiting Rotarian from the RC of Tirana in Albania. Father of club member, Anxhela.
Announcements
The Board will be meeting on Wednesday, April 24th at 8am via zoom. Secretary Alex David will be sending the zoom link to board members.
Upcoming District Events
- Sat. April 20th- 10 - 1 at White's of Westport- Helping session for clubs to plan the new Rotary year. Free and lunch will be served.
- District Conference is May 3-5, 2024. Go to the District 7950 for more information
- RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership weekend) May 17-18 at Camp Rotary in Massachusetts. The club is seeking a Sophomore or Junior in High School to sponsor to attend the leadership program. President Kris will reach out to the Boys and Girls Club club to see if they have anyone that would be interested in attending.
Upcoming club service projects
- Reading week at the Harry Kirizian Elementary school is Wednesday, April 24th to Friday, April 26th. Contact Art Norwalk to volunteer to read for about 45 minutes.
- The food packaging project is on Saturday, April 27th at the Nuesta Mundo Public Charter School located at 17 Gordon Avenue, Providence. Please arrive at 9 am. The hands-on project is being organized by the Metro Providence Rotary Club.
- Rotary Day of Service will be held on Sunday, May 19th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Garden City Center. Our club is partnering with the Rotary Club of Cranston who is holding their touch a truck event on that day!
- This is a family friendly event with food from local Garden City restaurants, face painting, and trucks and antique cars. The Rotary Club of Providence will be manning a booth to package dental hygiene kits for the homeless. We will also have a booth to share information about how to join the club, polio awareness, and information about the shelter box program.
- The club will be collecting new toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss at our weekly meetings. If you would like to donate cash please give that money to either Anxhela or President Kris.
Well wishes to Nondas Voll and Joe Rodo
Happy Bucks
- Pete Brock is happy to see the sun.
- Liz Messier is happy to be completed with her last of 31 radiation treatments
- Don Saracen is happy to have recently celebrated 55 years of marriage
- President Kris David is happy about her nephew running in the London marathon
Speaker
PJ Fox introduced the speaker, Dr. Omar Bah, founder of the Refugee Dream Center.
In May 2006, Freedom Newspaper's website and emails were hacked by the government and Bah's identity was exposed, which led to The Gambia Police Force declaring a national manhunt to find him, as they circulated his name and photograph in the media.
On May 29, 2006, at the age of 26, Bah undertook the dangerous journey to escape the country, first passing through Senegal with the help of human rights activists from the Media Foundation for West Africa to arrive at a refugee camp in Ghana, where he was accepted to be resettled in the United States.
After spending a year at the refugee camp, Bah arrived in Rhode Island on May 24, 2007 and began his journey to resettlement with the help of the Dorcas International Institute (formerly the International Institute of Rhode Island), the largest immigration service in the state.
He began working as an escrow representative at Rhode Island Housing and taking evening classes at The University of Rhode Islands Providence Feinstein Campus. Bah's wife, Teddi Jallow, joined him in the U.S. in 2009.
Refugee Dream Center (RDC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) engaged in reception, placement, and post-resettlement refugees. Their approach is based on offering direct services to receive refugees, and fill gaps in refugee resettlement, while also providing continuation of services to ensure refugee self-reliance and self-sufficiency. They offer direct services in the areas of adult education, employment, legal, case management services, youth support services, health promotion, language and access services, psychosocial support, food and hygiene products distribution, housing, and cash assistance to refugees. RDC is also a strong advocacy agency for the rights of refugees.
