INSPIRATION
Ron Hoak offers a definition of “respectful character” from “Return to Your Core” by Jay Rifenbary:

 

TENT SUPPERS RAISE $3,400
FOR BAHAMAS HURRICANE AID
Just before the coronavirus arrived in force, our club completed a very successful, innovative, and dare we say enjoyable international service activity. 

 

Six Rotarians signed up to host "Tent Suppers" -- small informal dinner parties at their homes. Twenty members, spouses and friends attended four of the suppers, each guest donating $50 to help Disaster Aid USA (a Rotary-approved organization) purchase tents for Bahamas residents trying to rebuild their homes after a hurricane. Two suppers did have to be cancelled at the last minute when social distancing began. In addition, 15 members who could not attend a dinner sent donations to help out.

All in all, nearly 40 of our members took part, raising over $3,400 in our first international activity in several years. The hosts outdid themselves in decor and cuisine, the guests enjoyed great food and conversation, the donors joined in the satisfaction of helping people in need, and the whole club got a nice boost of energy.

 

Thanks to Mary Brewster for coming up with a great idea and coordinating its execution.

 

Christy Clausen reports from the front lines of the effort to feed kids in Providence:  "I am so grateful to be able to bring meals to PVD youth during these unsettling times. So many families have so many worries right now, feeding their children shouldn’t be one of them. In addition to the grab and go meals we are currently serving M-F, we will also begin sending re-heatable (tv dinner style) meals home with youth at all 21 of our distribution sites each Friday to cover Saturday and Sunday! We have served a little over 20k meals to Providence youth since the school closure and we are still working on plans to make it easier for families to access meals during this crisis.

 

"On a personal note, you know I am a very dedicated auntie so I have begun daily Zoom dates with my nieces and nephews. It’s so important to stay connected to friends and family right now. We are better together."

 

Kris David
On Thursday, I participated in a zoom conference call with close to 400 Rotarians and Rotaractors from around the world, including RI President Mark Mahoney. I hope our club would consider holding a virtual meeting as I miss seeing my fellow club members. [Update: the board is working on this; stay tuned.]

 

Liz Messier
“Thursday night would have been a benefit performance for the Providence Historical Society of our show that was cancelled, The Women, at Players. Since we couldn't perform, they arranged a zoom meeting with some of their members with myself - one of the actors, our director, Patricia Hawkridge, and our dramaturg, Kristen Wedel. It was a lively discussion and lots of fun.”

 

 

 

Don Saracen finally brought his antique sled inside so it must be spring.

 

 

 

 

 

Marco Marinelli
“My Happy Buck message is for Italy, my native country, that has been dealing with a lockdown for more than 20 days. I want to say to my family and my friends there to keep staying strong and safe, because their huge effort is helping save lives. Our ancestors taught us how to overcome difficulties and I am sure that Italy will make it, even in its darkest hour.”

 

Mary Brewster
“I am staying sane by Zoom meetings with friends and family, walking, home exercise, and working on painting pictures of flowers and trees. Looking for someone else who needs a call or a socially distance check-in helps me stay positive.”

 

Jim Gilcreast
“I have a buck. I’m happy.”

 

From the latest Rotary International
Annual Report.