Pledge: Carroll Bowser
Prayer: Joan Camire
Song: Bill McLaughlin
Brents Card Game Winner: Bob Antoniac
Sergeants Report: Rick Beck
Rafflle Winners: Ed Pinn, Bob Hester, Ken Roche
Happy Bucks: Successful fundraiser food booth led by Bob Antoniac and Brent Taylor, Stan was happy for his grandaughter winning a national equestrian championship.
Announcements:
Carroll thanked the Rotarians and friends who came out and helped at the food booth this past weekend.
Brent gave a report complimenting the kids who made the snow cones for us and the Rotary Anns. This year we were the sole purveyer of hot dogs - no other club provided a meat product and sales were very good particularly Sunday. Thanks to the generosity of Stop & Shop who donated the hot dogs, buns, soda, chips, water, etc., we made about $2,666. Expenses amounted to about $200. Bob Antoniac donated the cost of the truck rental. $1500 will go to our Foundation and the rest will go to the club.
Program: Bill McLaughlin introduced Paula Ferrara, Executive Director of the Estuary Counil of Seniors, Inc.
The Estuary Council of Seniors was established in 1975 in Essex. In 1992, the current facility was built and has been home to the Estuary since. The Estuary serves over 5,000 seniors covering the towns of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook. Paula thanked the club for our participation in the Meals on Wheels program. Every week, a club member delivers meals to people in Old Saybrook. MOW delivers 100,000 meals annually from the Estuary site and 5 cafe sites. The goal is to keep people at home and out of nursing homes. The Estuary has an open cafeteria where seniors, for a small donation, can receive a balanced meal. Breakfast is served on weekdays from 7-9 and Saturday 8-12. Nothing goes to waste - leftover food is frozen. The qualifying age has been reduced to 50, programming has been increased and the center is a very busy place.
The Estuary provides rides (1500 annually) to people for doctor visits, dialysis and medical related needs. The drivers are paid since appointments must be kept and a donation of $35 per round trip ride is requested though the individual can pay what they can afford. Due to cutbacks, the Estuary lost a grant that helped underwrite this service so contributions will have to make up for the shortfall. The Estuary has several fundraisers a year and July 28 they are having a wine tasting from 6-8pm. They are a 501C3 non-profit organization.
Paula talked about benefits counciling, a service that explains Medicare and other age related issues. Recently, a water main broke causing damage to the basement. The basement is under repair and will be redesigned to accommodate an exercise room. One popular activity is Wii vitual bowling. Its a way for people to get some exercise and have some fun bowling. There will be a Pot Luck Dinner on Sept. 1.
Please consider a gift to this wonderful organization. Here are some details:
Estuary Council of Seniors, Inc.
220 Main St., Old Saybrook CT 06475
Tel: 860-388-1611
Email: info@ecsenior.ort
Website: www.ecsenior.org
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