September 1, 2016 Meeting of West Bay Rotary

Tom Chester introduced the speaker, after explaining the history of the Frozen 5K which was started in memory of his father, who died of Lou Gehrig’s disease.  Ashley King from MDA of Maine, the beneficiary of the fundraising event, presented.  MDA is a nationwide organization with local chapters that provide support to patients and families dealing with muscular diseases, including muscular dystrophy, ALS and the like.  They loan equipment for patients, and access to specialists in medicine for treatment through clinics, and run an overnight camp, MDA Overnight summer camp for kids dealing with muscular illnesses.  She shared a video of the 2016 camp week with 120 counselors and 85 kids.   All of their funding is from special events.  Ashley attended the December 2015 Frozen 5K for the first time. She invited sponsorship participation and for the club’s support of the 2016 event during Christmas ByThe Sea weekend the first weekend of December each year. The Frozen 5K is currently the only MDA event held in the midcoast area.

Fill the Boot is an event put on by firefighters across the country, shamrocks sold for $1 at convenience stores support MDA, other areas of the country do Lock-Up’s, and the October Muscle Walk is an event put on by the Portland Fire Department.  She said the events also provide an opportunity for families to learn from and support one another.

Because there is not yet a cure for any the 43 muscular diseases they deal with, research is also a large part of what MDA supports with the funds they raise.  They run support groups and therapy consultations for physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy. 

About $4,000 was raised in 2015 from sponsorships and entry fees from the Frozen 5K.  Tom Chester sees it as having much more potential, with other events surrounding the run, like a dinner and/or reception.  Motorized wheelchairs cost upwards of $25,000.  The most runners they’ve had is 50 and the number is largely weather dependent.

Buckets on the table are for the Food Pantry.

Mark Masterson spoke about the Chowder Challenge. Tent set up is just before 9a on Friday, then the Chowder Challenge after the Camden Rotary pancake breakfast, to which all are invited.  He’s recruiting volunteers for set up, serving, breakdown and thenMonday, taking the tent down and returning the tables and chairs to the American Legion, in conjunction with members of Camden Rotary. 

Ron Hall explained the Every Rotarian Every Year program of the Rotary Foundation, and the $100/year participation that leads to Paul Harris recognition after 10 years, and multiple year recognition with pins containing sapphires.  He asked Linda Payson to come forward and recognized her with a 2-sapphire pin for her multiple years of EREY participation.

RYLA, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

Next week our District Governor John Louis Jolie will be our speaker.  

Terry Bregy auctioned off two tickets for the September 9 Knox County Recovery Coalition event at the Samoset.  Tim Dresser was the lucky high bidder.