INSPIRATION: Barbara Harris:
Delivering dictionaries to the 3rd graders at the Martin Luther King School is an annual pleasure. This year I saw how hopeful and positive these children appeared. They rushed to raise their hands when asked why it is important to read. Their answers: to learn, to communicate, to succeed.
The reading specialist is grateful for the Rotary Club which brings books every year. But she also told me that this school, situated in the affluent east side, is not a “neighborhood school anymore” -- her words. She said the students at Martin Luther King School are largely bused in and like those at Kizirian are among the city’s poorest children. The school building is dilapidated and unimproved.
It would be great if I could go next year to MLK and feel that in the great country of the USA we do not tolerate third world educational resources for some of our future citizens of Providence. Thank goodness, Rotary cares.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
President Don thanked Rob Black and Tiffany Bumgardner for checking everyone in and Jane Kratsch for greeting everyone.
President Don thanked Bob Murphy for coordinating a very successful Holiday Lunch last week with the students from San Miguel School.
Birthday girl Wendy Marcus announced December birthdays and gave out snowman cupcakes!
Don recognized Anthony Landi who coordinated the Providence Bruins Game at the Dunk on Saturday, Dec 2. He sold over 50 tickets for this event. The proceeds went toward the Polio Plus effort.
Don also thanked Walter Adamovicz for organizing the annual Bell Ringing at East Side Market on Dec 7. There were 16 Bell Ringing Rotarians!! Walter also had a group of 11 musicians, oldest aged 88, to perform.
The club presented holiday greetings and gifts to the fine Marriott staff members who take such great care of us: the servers we see and the behind-the-scenes folks who put it all together.
HAPPY BUCKS collected by Jane Kratsch.
Barbara Harris gave one Happy Buck for her trip to Miami Beach, FL. She will attend some local Rotary meetings. She also mentioned that her husband, Seth, and PP Barry Fain have Red Sox tickets available for sale.
Anthony Hollingshead gave 2 Happy Bucks for Walter’s coordination of Bell Ringing and for competing with Holly Applegate who sang carols to get more contributions!!
Kevin Oates gave 5 Happy Bucks for the five Rotarians who have December Birthdays.
Bob Murphy gave 10 Happy Bucks for all the great feedback from the San Miguel students who enjoyed the lunch and are using the backpacks!!
Walter Adamovicz gave a Happy Buck for upcoming Boston Pops. Stay tuned for the details!!
Ron Hoak gave a Happy Buck for his second son’s birthday!
Don Saracen had a nice weekend enjoying the snow. He also wanted to tell us that next week will be a social meeting in celebration of the Holidays!!
LEAD POISONING IS 100% PREVENTABLE
Our guest speaker, executive director Laura Brion of the Childhood Lead Action Project, said the effects of lead poisoning can lead to permanent brain damage and slowed brain development. The major sources of lead are paint, contaminated soil, house dust and water.
Lead poisoning is 100% preventable with careful attention to chipping paint on friction surfaces such as windows, doors, lead particles in uncovered soil, and un-filtered water from lead pipes. Renovation of older homes should be carefully monitored for risk of lead contamination and dust inside and outside of homes.
There are short-term steps to follow: Wash hands and toys, cover any hazards, filter the water and do blood tests every year for your children until 6 years old.
Want to know if you have lead pipes? Contact the Providence Water Authority to find out if you have a lead water service line and get a filter that eliminates lead if you do.
