Pledge/Prayer: President Peter Manley
Song: Andy
Brents Card Game Winner: Joan Michaud
Sergeants Report: Gerri
Welcome guest Paula Ferrara
Raffle Winners: Angus McDonald, Bob Chase, Jason Smith
Happy Bucks
Happy Birthday to Lee David
Announcements:
Ron Scott said we were getting some excellent applicants for our scholarships
Peter:
- Read a letter from Westbrook HS requesting support of Future Leaders of America participation.
- Read off names of perfect attendance - lots
Jason Smith talked about Warm the Children, our newest program that he and Walt Osborne headed. The program is winding down now and he gave a summary handout that told the following: 276 children from 130 families received new winter clothing from 7 towns including Old Saybrook, Essex, Westbrook, Lyme, Old Lyme, Chester, and Deep River. We had 63 shoppers. Donations to date was $27,993.50 - the best year yet. Next year, the program will start with about $15,000 left over from this year. (Beginning bal: $14,538.81, donations: 27,993.50 for a total of $42,532.31 available).
Program:
Marty introduced our speaker, Paula Ferrara, Exec. Director of the Estuary Council of Seniors located in Old Saybrook. Paula has been Exec. Director since Jan 2, 2007. Prior to that, she worked for former Congressman Rob Simmons (4-1/2 years) and was the First Selectman of Westbrook. The Estuary is a nonprofit 9-town regional senior center located on Main St. in Old Saybrook. It started out as meal sight in Killingworth and moved in 1974 to its present location. It has evolved to serve 9 towns with 25 employees. It is best known for the Meals on Wheels program which served over 53,000 meals last year utilizing 3-400 volunteers. Our club participates in this. The Estuary also provides transportation for outpatient medical visits such as dialysis. They ask for a $25 voluntary contribution. The Estuary also provides social programs including a daily breakfast from 7:45 - 9. You can order anything on the menu. There is a pool table, games, crafts and trips to UCONN basketball games.
Funding is 25% by the Federal Gov't and the budget is over 1 million dollars. The Estuary receives grants for food and fundraising accounts for the rest about $500K. The popular Thrift Shop brought in $87K last year with all items donated. The Estuary has a medical equipment loan closet filled with wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, etc. There are exercise programs and computer classes as well.
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