Pledge: Pres. Kathy Callihan
Prayer: Pete Zucco
Brents Card Game Winner: Charlie Renshaw
Sergeants Report: Rick Beck
Raffle: Guest Pat Bourne, Brent, Joan
Happy Bucks: Guests, Patrick was happy to be sitting next to a decendant of Caesar (Brent), Bill McLaughlin was happy to be back and so were a lot of other people, Charlie R was happy for a veteran friend in Westbrook who recently lost his sight but doctors have said there is a good chance it will come back, the wonderful lunch!
Program: SARAH Foundation
Our speakers were Jim Lamb, Mgr Business Development and Pat Bourne, Executive Director. Sarah Inc. comprises several entities that serve people with intellectual disabilities. Sarah was formed to assist the families of the disabled which is a challenge. At one time there were no services available and so a handful of families got together and formed this organization and started a school. In addition, as these kids aged into adulthood, jobs were needed so that they could be self supporting. Apple House was one of the first to offer this. They started opening apartments and group homes so that they would have a place to live. Sarah currently serves over 600 individuals.
If you suspect your child has a problem, you can call Sarah and they send in a team to assess. In the 70s, schools were mandated to take in kids with special needs. Local companies are hiring Sarah people. Job coaches are there to work with the business to assist in job placement. This isn't charity and a job won't be taken that they can't do. They do quite well in jobs that are repetitious and structured.
A new project that has been successful is the running of a redemption center. Sarah collects cans and bottles from various locations (Log Cabin Restaurant, Westbrook Town Green) and processes them for wages. Sarah is looking to team up with civic organizations as a joint fundraiser.
To learn more, call 860-399-1888, or go to www.sarah-inc.org
Following the program, we resumed our regular meeting:
Meals on Wheels: Pete & Raeleen, Ken Roche next week
Dates:June 20, District Changing of the Guard
June 22 or 23 TBD: Old Saybrook Club Changing of the Guard
Project Proposed by Bill O'Shaughnessy:
Drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions in our country with many hospitalizations and deaths from overdoses. Bill has been involved with the Old Lyme Youth & Family Services and they are working on getting Brandon Sunshine who gained notoriety in the TV show The Voice, to give a concert at the Lyme-Old Lyme High School that would attract young people. It would be an opportunity to get a message out about the dangers of opioids and other mind altering and powerful drugs. Bill is looking for the club to get involved in the planning of this event which will take place late June or early July if it comes off.
Raeleen spoke about the benefits of ballroom dancing which includes staving off Alzheimers. She is doing volunteer work with the high school to teach dance to the students.
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