Cogitator Feb 15, 2012

VISTING ROTARIANS
None today. 

GUESTS
Kathy Brown invited Bruce Roberts, a friend from East Greenwich. 

DAFFODIL DAYS
Lou Lepry passed out flyers for the 2012 American Cancer Society's 'Daffodil Days.'  Daffodils, potted bulbs, and even 'Bear and a Bunch' are for sale from $10 to $25, with proceeds going to the Cancer Society.  The last day to order is March 2nd, while delivery will be during the week of March 19th.  Please see Lou to place your order and help out in this year's campaign.  You can also call Lou with any questions at 884-5695.  

GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE/HOST FAMILIES NEEDED
Ed Neff needs your home!  For a few days in April Ed asks you to share your home with the GSE professionals coming to our District from Kashmir, India.  Our District's team is now in India.  After they return, it will be up to the us to house the Kashmir group from the 15th to the 19th of April.  Please see Ed as soon as possible if you can help out by volunteering as a host family.

HAPPY BUCKS
Bob MacKenzie gave five happy bucks, one for each decade of Andy Erickson's dedicated service to Amica Insurance.  Bob also reminded us that Andy's illustrious career began humbly in the Amica mail room.  From mail room to board room, to retiring fifty years later...cheers and a job well done, Andy!   

Lou Lepry called Andy 'one of Rhode Island's best Rotarians.'  (From the entire club--agreed!) 

Jonathan Widmark congratulated Andy for his service to Amica, as well as his decades of service to Boy Scouts of RI.  

George Popella also congratulated Andy on his retirement and years of service above self.  George also noted that the reception in the other room at Chianti's was for a local and beloved baseball coach who recently passed on, Charlie Kelly. 

Bruce Roberts was happy to see his 6th grade teacher, Mr. Lepry.  He also congratulated the East Greenwich High School for its recent Division One lacrosse championship.  

Steve Lombardi thanked Andy Erickson for his years of dedication to yet another local institution, Kent County Memorial Hospital.  Steve was also happy that his son, now 21, can have his first legal beer.  

Judy Pratt was happy that the Rhode Island ALSA Chapter was on hand for today's program.

Kevin McDonough thanked President Mike Gemma for helping him in Florida, doing a Driving Miss Daisy routine for him when car troubles arose.  

SPEAKER/PROGRAM

Nanci Feroldi, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Chapter of ALS Association; Ken McGunagle, Secretary and Board Member of the National ALS Association



Judy Pratt, Chairperson of our club's Scott Carlson Memorial ALS 5K, introduced Nanci Feroldi and Ken McGunagle, both local leaders in the battle against ALS.  Nanci is the second longest serving executive director of an ALS local chapter in the US.  Ken McGunagle, a Rhode Island attorney who lost his father many years ago to ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease, has been involved with the RI ALSA Chapter for more than a decade.  Also, Ken now serves as a board member for the National ALS Association. 

Judy, speaking of the ALS 5K's eleven year success in her usual humble way, made sure to note 'It's not just me.  I coordinate and guide only.  It's the great assets on my committee, behind the scenes every day always expanding and improving our event.'  That may well be true.  But the bigger truth is that Judy, along with her husband Jon, have done an amazing job over the years networking and connecting with new sponsors.  Sponsors, small and large, know that the Pratts are 100% committed to the cause.  This has reaped significant rewards for the 5K race each April.  

Nanci Feroldi noted, 'We've got a big mission, and yet we do it all with a small but dedicated staff.'  Donor funds are critical each year.  Eleven years ago, in 2001, along came the Rotary Club of East Greenwich, under President Janet Essex's leadership, with a check for $10,000 at the Chapter's Evening of Hope.  Rotarians were elated, as was Nanci and her organization.  Fast forward to 2012, and we can proudly note that the RI ALS Chapter has received $330,000 in funds from the Scott Carlson ALS 5K since day one.  The growth of the event, and ensuing annual successes, can be attributed mainly to the steady and inspirational stewardship of Judy Pratt.

Ken McGunagle noted, 'I knew Scott Carlson, personally, before he became sick. I just want you all to share in knowing what a tribute your organization has paid to him.  He would be amazed at how big this race has become.'  

Ken told us that ALS patients who visit the Louise Wilcox ALS Clinic, and use the resources of the RI Chapter, typically extend their lives by six to nine months.  Considering what a short timespan remains once diagnosed with ALS, that is remarkable.  'And that's why we do what we do,' said Ken.  

Finally, Ken spoke of national ALS research.  There are continuing improvements and medical breakthroughs.  Most will extend lives of ALS patients, perhaps markedly so.  Therefore, we will in the near future face a new conundrum, that of needing more space at the clinic, more volunteers, and more donations to support RI's ALS families.  He joked that we'll need to host two events each year to keep up with future needs.  

*Please support the Scott Carlson Memorial ALS 5K event, to be held on Saturday, April 21st, at Goddard State Park.  

Team ALS.org site: http://www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/SitePages/SitePage.aspx?cid=5045&pid=37442

If you'd like to sponsor this year's event: http://www.clubrunner.ca/Data/7950/5045/HTML/134540//sponsor_checkoff_2012.pdf

If you'd like to register for the run/walk: http://racewire.com/register.php?id=1534


Judy Pratt with Ken McGunagle

RI's ALSA site, and information about Ken McGunagle:
http://www.alsa.org/about-us/leadership/mcgunagle.html

http://webri.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=RI_homepage