September 23, 2014 Lunch Meeting.

 

Image  Image  

Richard Bennett introduced the Gift of Life recipient Jimmy Dorme. Jmmy thanked Richard for hosting him and Rotary for sponsoring his surgery. He received successful heart surgery at Valley Hospital from Dr. Brizzio, a surgeon that performs operations for Gift of Life recipients.  Richard mentioned that Jimmy is from Port au Prince Haiti, and that he works at the City Soleil Health Clinic working with people in the area of health, microlending, and trade school initiatives.

Image  Image      Image 

Our program today was presented by Eileen O'Driscoll CAOBAinAfrica Program. She thanked her club, Englewood NJ Rotary for their support with this program. Thank You Eileen. http://youtu.be/m7wLA52lz9g

 

 

 

Spoke – September 23, 2014

Meeting Location: Assembly Steak House

Presiding:  Aleta Frezzell

Recorder:  Steve Wiessner

Birthdays/Anniversaries: None Noted

Visiting Rotarians and Guests: Richard Bennett introduced the Gift of Life recipient that he has been hosting Jimmy Dorme.  Jimmy received successful heart surgery at Valley Hospital from Dr. Brizzio, a surgeon that performs operations for Gift of Life recipients.  Richard mentioned that Jimmy is from Port au Prince Haiti, and that he works at the City Soleil Health Clinic working with people in the area of health, microlending, and trade school initiatives.

Mie Shu introduced Mako Yoshioka, who promoted a Japanese Food Festival in Van Saun Park in Paramus this Sunday from noon to 4:30 pm (Free admission, purchase food tickets)

Announcements: 

Aleta announced:

  • There will be a Halloween for the Hungry event sponsored by our District on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Bergen Community College Gymnasium in Paramus.  The event will involve packaging at least 25,000 meals for the needy. 
  • The Fort Lee Rotary Club will hold a dinner and dance charitable fundraiser to bring awareness to domestic violence in support of Shelter Our Sisters at the Cathedral of St. John the Theologian 353 East Clinton Avenue, Tenafly on Saturday, October 14th from 7:00 to 11:00 pm (tickets are $50 each)
  • Eddie Hadden announced that the International Projects Committee (IPC) would hold a meeting right after Tuesday’s luncheon
  • Eddie also mentioned that Bill Alford is feeling better and still in Englewood Hospital, noting that Bill turned 99 on Wednesday
  • Joyce Grossbard attended a Rotary International meeting this past weekend regarding grants, and that she made a presentation about her recent trip to Japan that was well received
  • Jim Cole and Phil Ball announced that they met with Dwight Morrow High School principal Peter Elbert and Liz Corsini of The Zone and they stated that they were pleased with what is going on at the school, and their internship program.  Phil mentioned a flyer that was circulated seeking participants for a Young Men’s Leadership Council within the school.  Phil said that it would be great if club members could drop by The Zone to talk with students. 

Florence announced the Oktoberfest event is 6:00 pm the evening of October 7th at the Assembly. All who want to attend should bring checks for $25 per person to the September 30th luncheon as Florence needs to get a final count. Please note there will not be a luncheon on October 7th.   

Happy Dollars:

Many happy dollars were for Richard Bennett for hosting Jimmy Dorme, and to Jimmy for his attendance at the luncheon and good health. 

Program: Eileen O’Driscoll presented The Rwanda Project CAOBAinAfrica Physical Conditioning Program.  She and members of the nonprofit group Cultural Association of Brazilian Arts (CAOBA) spend a week each year at the Friends of Children International School (FCIS) in Rwamagana, Rwanda, where they conduct a camp for the school's students during their break from school. Eileen talked a bit about Rwamagana, a town of about 50,000 is the east African country.

The program was organized in partnership with DIZA a non-profit organization created in July 1997 by the former employees of the Fred Rwigema Orphanage in Rwanda.  The orphanage was originally created to provide a much needed home for orphans remaining after the 1994 Rwandan genocide. 

Eileen works with CAOBA to support the Rwandan school with the yearly physical development camp and training local instructors for ongoing instruction.  There are 120 children in the school, and the camp program also provided food for the children during the week in addition to the physical development instruction.  Eileen noted that the organizers of the camp/school have many funding needs, including $12,000 - $15,000 for new toilets and a wash room, and additional funds to support ongoing needs for the initiative including clothes, supplies etc.  Club members had many questions and appreciated Eileen’s presentation of the program in Rwanda.          

50-50: With $109 in the pot and 49 cards remaining, Eileen O’Driscoll picked the 8 of Spades

Attendance:  I did not take a member count, my apologies!

Upcoming Programs:

September 30:          Jim Boyer, Director of Rotary District 7490 Youth Services

October 7:                  Oktoberfest evening event, no luncheon