Nashoba Valley Rotarians receives Rotary Foundation awards from PDG Jim Fusco
 
 
Guests:
  • Gino Frattellone, Littleton club
  • Kathy Romeo, daughter Ellie, friend Hannah
  • Jim Fusco, Past District Governor
 
Announcements:
  • Purple Pinkie Day: We raised just under $1,900 this year for Polio Plus.
  • Veterans Day breakfast: This was very successful, with more people in attendance than last year. In total, 85 people, including workers.
  • Stop Hunger Now: At the district meal packaging event, 20,000 meals were packaged for hungry people around the world.
  • Thanksgiving baskets: Donations are complete, and the bags (about 100) are now being assembled and will be distributed in Bolton.
  • Snow Angels: Thanks were expressed for all volunteers to provide sand to Bolton seniors. Now we’re just waiting for snow.
  • Stop Hunger Now: Our club’s event is at Nashoba Regional High School. All arrangements with the school have been made. The date is March 18.
  • Rotary Means Business: Rotary was originally a business networking organization, so this is an effort to get back to our roots. The first meeting is December 7 at the Sheraton Framingham.
  • Holiday party: This will take place December 15 at Nancy’s Airfield Café.
 
Program:
 
Kathy Romeo talked about the Birthday and Christmas gift boxes provided to the children at the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps’ Lancaster Residential Treatment Campus. The RFK campus consists of four units, one for day students, and three residential. There is a school on site, but the goal is for them to participate in the community. Last year there were 11 students attending Nashoba Regional High School.
 
Kathy and a group of friends got involved with RFK as a result of the Patriots Day bombing, which inspired them to hold a local road race for the White family, and was enormously successful. The following year they wanted to do another race, and asked RFK, “What can we do to help?” The center made some suggestions, but they were too small. “Bigger.” So they decided on a “trust” ropes course on the property, to help the kids who did have trust issues. It was another success, and RFK kids got new running shoes so that they could participate in the road race.
 
That was the beginning. But the kids have so many needs. Many had never even had a birthday celebration before. So every month a email goes out listing the kids with a birthday that month. People sign up to give a birthday box that consists of a gift certificate, a gift, and a cake, gift-wrapped for each kid. They also have had an Easter egg hunt. These are opportunities to show the kids that someone does care about them, when their lives so far have taught them otherwise. These small things can really make a difference.
 
Hannah then spoke about the tutoring program. Two years ago, it was noticed at the high school that there were RFK students, who had just as much schoolwork, but didn’t have support at home. So the high school kids organized an RFK tutoring program, which not only focused on academic success, but also provided friendship. Ruby is in eighth grade; her academic work has greatly improved (she gets a box of brownies for every 100 she gets on a test!). They’ve now got a regular homework area at the RFK center, outfitted with a set of Chrome-books.
 
Ellie then told us about the Christmas program, a time for the kids to feel joy and cared for, like kids elsewhere. Families adopt kids and prepare a package with their favorite treats, a personalized gift, and a $50 gift certificate to their favorite store. The packages are wrapped at a central location, and the RFK kids get to open them back in their rooms. It’s a special time for the kids to know that someone cares about them and to feel the happiness and joy of the season. 
 
Foundation Awards: 
 
PDG Jim Fusco spoke about the Rotary Foundation, Paul Harris, and the Paul Harris Society. Our club’s all-time giving is high: in 2013, $200 per member; in 2015, it was $300. We have 21 Paul Harris fellows, of whom 7 have multiple fellowships. Jim then awarded us a certificate for our work for Polio Plus, and another recognition for being the second highest club in the District for per member donations to the Rotary Foundation.
 
Happy/Sad Fines:
 
Carolyn: Habitat for Humanity has just finished another roofing project, this one in Littleton.
Howard: glad to be here; and read a letter of thanks for the Veterans Day remembrance.
Bob: grateful for UN day Saturday, with its review of Rotary’s work around the world; it was a nice trip.
Mary Ann: happy for Kathy, and the work she does for the RFK center.
Leigh: expressed appreciation for this club, and for the radio station that plays Christmas music all day long.
Bill: wishes everyone safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Laura: glad for all the Veterans Day breakfast cooks.
Alina: appreciates the new location, just across the street from her work.
Carol: glad to have given blood Thursday; for the Veterans Day breakfast; for the district meal packaging; and to have given talks on behalf of Rotary in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Gino: glad to be here.
Ron: glad that Jim came; and that the Nature Connection also provides programs for the RFK kids.
Ray: happy to welcome Howard, our newest member.
Brian: will be representing us at the Assabet Chamber of Commerce tomorrow.
Rich: closing on their condo on December 8.
Terry: appreciates joining Rotary; it’s a pleasure to serve.
Dan: grateful to have plenty of work.
Jim: wishes everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
Richard: appreciates Jim’s job as governor; glad that his daughter coming to visit; and glad for the art show at his house on Saturday.