Pledge: President Keith.
Prayer: Ed Pinn
Song: Led by Bill McLaughlin
Brent's Flim/Flam: High hand of 3 5's won by Bob Antoniac.
Raffle Winners: John Donnelly, Bill McLaughlin and Bob Antoniac.
Guest: Dave Dunlap who hosted a visiting French exchange student.
Visiting Rotarian: Bo Henderson from Colchester, our speaker today.
Happy Dollars: Many for our guest and Bo Henderson, Marty for son's scores, Bob
Antoniac very happy, many for Republican wins, some for guest Sam Fulginiti, Sam for
respite, good luck dollar for President Keith's daughter who's in the hospital due to a
dog bite, Pete Corbett for Yankee wins, Bo for all old friends.
Announcements:
President Keith received a letter of appreciation from the O.S. Chamber. Also dues bills
coming out soon as well as the vote on the bylaw changes discussed at the budget review
meeting.
Bill McLaughlin announced another upcoming croquet tournament, champion player Ken
Roche to represent our interests.
Pete Corbett pointed out copies of INK magazine highling the "Sail Connecticut" program
which we assisted in. He also indicated an open house this coming Saturday at Pilot's
Point Marina at 9 AM to familialize folks with the program and to encourage participation by
volunteering or making donations.
John Donnelly talked about the books for Ghana program run by Professor Steve Mecca
of Providence College. Steve is now collecting soap, even used soap bars from folks and
hotels. This is packaged and sent to Ghana where the women lay it all out in the hot sun
adding a little water and let it harden and dry. They then package it up and sell it for a
little profit. John claims more people probably die from not being able to wash properly
then have perished from polio. Professor Steve is also approaching the Gates Foundaton
for a grant to further these needs,
Program: Past President Paul introduced our speaker Bo Henderson.
Bo was a member of the O.S. Rotary when he lived here in town. Both he and his wife had
been involved in the "Heat & Eat" program at that time. Since his move to Colchester (to be
nearer to his family) he and his wife are still involved in the program. The program runs in
conjunction with the Shoreline Food Pantry run out of the Congregational Church here in
town. It is seperate from the food pantry but does use the churches facilities, kitchen, ovens
and freezers. The program is designed to help needy folks on fixed incomes, out of work or
down on their luck. They prepare and cook meals on Monday that are then packaged,
labeled and frozen Monday afternoon. Folks come in to pick them up late in the day
Tuesday as well as picking up produce, etc. from the food pantry. The meals are already
cooked and only have to heated in either a microwave or a regular oven. They started out
preparing about 100 meals a week but are now up to between 300-500 meals a week
serving 185 families. Food for the meals used to come from the supermarkets and some
restuarants but these sources are falling short these days. The program has to secure the
meal ingredients from wholesale suppliers, discount supermarkets such as BJ's and
government surplus food banks. Bo figures they spend in the range or $250 per week on
food acquisition. He claims the demand is slightly down during the summer months but
picks up again in the fall and winter. The program survives on donations but is always in
need of financial help. The whole Shoreline Food Pantry and Bo's "Heat & Eat'" program
serve about 850,000 people per year at 5 pantries with about 800 volunteers assisting.
asl.
THE FOUR-WAY TEST
of the things we think, say or do
First...
Is it the TRUTH ?
Second....
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Third....
Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Fourth....
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
