President Pete Brock led Rotarian attendees in the pledge of allegiance.
Inspiration
Diane Riccitelli gave the following inspiration.
Diane and her husband shared a recent visit with their grandchildren 21-month-old Amelia and one-month-old Briar so that their daughter and son-in-law could have a date night. After settling in Amelia pointed to the stack of books in the living room with instructions to “read.” The joy of “reading together” transferred to the next generation since Diane instilled a love of reading stories when her daughter was growing up.
Diane realized in that moment of reading stories to her granddaughter the importance of reading to children daily and how important books are early on for language development and understanding the world around us.
According to Richard Steele, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Children need to be read to during years before they enter pre-school or kindergarten. Being read to before age 3 or 4 helps with language development and brain stimulation, sparks a child’s imagination and creativity, and most importantly, encourages a love of reading.
Victor Hugo reminds us that “to learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.” Coming off National Reading Month in March Diane realized that spark needs to start early and at home before children attend school and then reinforced in school once they read school age.
Announcements
Literacy Committee members and other Rotarian volunteers are invited to meet at Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street in Providence on Wednesday, April 9th from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. to sort and package books by grade levels K-1, 2-3, 4-5 designated for classroom libraries. Volunteers will load the books in their cars and deliver them during the week to our partner schools—Kizirian and West. The books were purchased through donations at the October 2024 Legends for Literacy Gala.
Happy Bucks
- Bill Applegate in honor of fellow Rotarians in the cast of Into the Woods now playing at the Barker Playhouse—Holly Applegate, Alex David, and Liz Messier.
- Tammy DeBarros celebrating a beautiful day.
- Mary Brewster sharing a recent successful cataract surgery.
- Pete Brock who woke up happy, experienced a nice trip to Providence from New Hampshire and updated us on his recent creation—sourdough English muffins
- Zoomer Barry Fain happy to be hosting his daughter and grandchildren visiting from California
Speaker
Fellow Rotarian Mr. Simone Fargiorgio introduced today’s speakers, Courtenay Needham and Sophie Daylor representing the American Cancer Society of Rhode Island. Mr. Fargiorgio is a member of the Cancer Society’s Men Wear Pink volunteers who engage in various fundraisers throughout the year.
Courtenay spoke on the important work the American Cancer Society as a whole does for the country in awareness and advocacy. And Sophie focused on the specific work here in Rhode Island, and how we can contribute to their events.
Among the highlights of their presentation:
Breaking News on Cancer.
- Cancer incidence rises in women; decreases in men; 82% higher in women than in men under age 50 in 2021
- Pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality rates increase; 5-year survival rate only 8%
- Alarming racial inequities in cancer mortality persist; death rates for Native American and Black people 2x higher than White people for many largely preventable cancers
Rhode Island: American Cancer Society
- Road to Recovery: 132 rides provided for 16 people with cancer
- Transportation Grants: $10,000 in grants to 1 partner to provide rides for people with cancer
- Cancer Helpline: Connected 98 individuals with more than 219 support inquiries
- Extended Stay America: Provided 3 guests with access to free or reduced lodging
- Hope Lodge: Provided 50 guests with 1,201 nights of free lodging
How you can help.
- Attend events
- Fundraise
- Volunteer
- Event scholarships
Mark Your Calendars
- May 29: Men Wear Pink Wine Dinner
- Aug 25: Men Wear Pink Golf Tournament
- Sept. 30: ACS CAN Breakfast
- Oct. 2: Boobs, Bags & Bingo
- Oct. 19: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
- Oct. 31: Coaches vs Cancer Tip Off Breakfast
- Nov. 6: Shuck Cancer Event
President Pete Brock ended the meeting with these concluding remarks:
“Go the extra mile. Anything worth doing is doing it right.”
And for those who didn't get it - April Fool!
It's 2025!
