Cogitator Apr 4, 2012

VISITING ROTARIANS

Jason Wells, a financial consultant and one of the day's speakers from 'Best Buddies,' joined us from the Seekonk/East Providence Club.

GUESTS

Ben and Coreen Gardiner, supportive parents of new-Rotarian-to-be Mykahla Gardiner, were on hand for Mykahla's induction. 

ANNIVERSARY

Happy 21st wedding anniversary to Jane (and John) Boynton on April 8th! 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

--Bonnie Sauer says 'nice work so far, and keep on going,' with gathering up food for this year's Feinstein Hunger Challenge.  Bonnie donated a bag to everyone for food donations.  Bonnie will also pass the jar in the coming weeks for cash donations, all of which will be matched by the Alan Shawn Feinstein.  Our food and cash donations will help the East Greenwich Ecumenical Food Cupboard at Saint Luke's. 

--Two weeks and counting!  The Scott Carlson Memorial AL 5K will be held Saturday, April 21st, at Goddard Park.  Committee Chair Judy Pratt urged everyone to sign up for race day duties.  Judy and committee will also need plenty of help setting up the carousel area in the afternoon on Friday, April 20th.  Thanks to all Rotarian sponsors, thanks to all volunteers, and the club looks forward to perhaps yet another record day for both attendees and total funds raised.  

--Rotary After Dark this month will be held on Thursday, April 12th, 5:30 to 7:30pm, at the East Greenwich Library, hosted by Lou Lepry and Vin Meola.  Lou will be chef for the night with plenty of delicious food.  There will also be plenty of beer and wine, so make sure to stop by the library and enjoy a night out with fellow Rotarians.  The cost--only $20, with all net proceeds going to the Rhode Island Family Shelter in Warwick.  

--Pat Lenihan's Wine Tasting/Taste of the Town committee will meet Friday, April 13th, 8am, at St. Francis de Sales Parish Center. 

NEW MEMBER INDUCTIONS

President Mike Gemma, assisted by Past Presidents Ed Neff and John Wolcott as well as sponsor Laura Krohn, proudly inducted four new members to the club.  Thanks to today's inductees and this year's 'freshman class,' we now stand at a total to 63 members!

A warm Rotary welcome goes out to our newest members Meghan Kruger (paralegal), Mykahla Gardiner (paralegal), Bill Winters (insurance services), and Sue Dorne (health related services). 

New members Bill Winters, Sue Dorne, Meghan Kruger, and Mykahla Gardiner 

HAPPY BUCKS

-Jane Boynton's son Jack only applied to one college, and that's all he needed.  Jack received his acceptance letter from URI this week!

-Chub Clement wished his youngest ('the baby') daughter, Colleen, a happy 42nd birthday today.

-Lou Lepry gave a happy remembrance moment for Ron Stabile, a former beloved music teacher at East Greenwich High School who passed recently. 

-Chuck Sauer thanked his 'nurse maid,' wife Bonnie, for taking such good care of him while he was under the weather.  He also welcomed all four new members into the club.  

-Coreen Gardiner, Mykahla's proud mom, gave three happy bucks: for her daughter's induction; for Laura Krohn's sponsorship; and, for Mykahla's good friend and fellow inductee Meghan Kruger.

PROGRAM/SPEAKER

Jason Wells and Michelle Anderson, from Best Buddies of Rhode Island 

The mission of Best Buddies International is to provide friendship and leadership opportunities for kids challenged with intellectual developmental disabilities.  Best Buddies was founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989.  Anthony is the youngest of five children born to Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver.  Eunice founded Special Olympics in 1968.  

By 2020, Best Buddies would like to be in all 50 states.  They are headquartered in Miami, FL, while Rhode Island's Best Buddies work out of their main office in Cranston.  Best Buddies is currently operating in 50 countries, with 1500 local chapters around the world.  Worldwide, their budget is $22 million; locally, in Rhode Island, they operate on a budget of $200,000.  

Best Buddies has connections with 4 Rhode Island middle schools, 14 high schools, and 4 colleges.  Here in town, Cole Middle School and East Greenwich High School have partnered with Best Buddies of Rhode Island.

Jason Wells, an Indiana native, has been a board member in Rhode Island for six months.  Michelle Anderson has been involved with Best Buddies since the early 1990's.  Michelle noted a real enthusiasm in East Greenwich High School for the program.  'It has had a real impact on kids they're helping, providing great fun, confidence, and personal growth.  But it has an equal positive impact on the young volunteers, who learn so much from their experiences, too.'  

http://www.bestbuddiesrhodeisland.org

Michelle Anderson and Jason Wells, with Lou Lepry