November 13 Tri-Gear Report
Posted by George Sherman
on Nov 16, 2014
11-13-14 CLUB MEETING AT DOMANI
Flag Salute: Pres. Bob Bustard
Invocation: Bob Bustard
Members Present: June Bertini, Bob Bustard, Bernie Cohen, Whitney DeBordenave, Pat DiRosa, Steve Fox, Stuart Gold, Bob Guller, George Sherman, Nancy Swales, Brittany Vozza, Vlad Zherenovsky.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests: Prospective Member and Guest Speaker Lester Kempner; Scott Karrel; Rosemary Bustard, Elena and Ariana Guller, Lois Kempner, Pam Sherman, Marina, Alan and Sophia Zherenovsky.
Sunshine: Ann Kilmartin continues on the road to recovery after a fall.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are currently contending with adversity of one type or another.
Happiness:
by G. Sherman
Whitney D. was happy for last week’s pot luck event.
Nancy S. was happy to have been chauffeured to tonight’s meeting by Pres. Bob.
Bob G. was happy to be here for Lester’s presentation.
Lester K. was happy to have the opportunity to speak about Caps for Kids.
Scott K. was happy for the check the Unlock Foundation was receiving from the club.
Vlad Z. was happy to be here with his family.
Steve F. was happy that his daughter’s college decision making process is nearing completion.
Pat D. was happy to get to the meeting tonight.
Announcements:
by G. Sherman
Time to order FRESH ORANGES AND GRAPEFRUIT! Our 27th annual FRUIT SALE is underway. Order forms can be downloaded from our website. Half-cases - $28.00; full cases - $46.00. Orders must be in to Bernie Cohen by Friday, November 28. Fruit will be available for pick-up on Saturday, December 6 between 10:00 and noon in the parking lot of 50 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Montvale.
Dictionaries are in! Let George Sherman know if you want to help prepare and/or deliver them to 3rd graders in Dorchester, Memorial, East Brook, West Ridge or Our Lady of Mercy.
Dick Beattie reminded members of the arrival of a Gift of Life child from the Philippines this month. Posted on our website are copies of GOL materials sent out by current District Chairman David Whitlock for the benefit of anyone who may wish to become involved in this most rewarding endeavor.
Pres. Bob announced that the annual holiday party at Lehmann Gardens will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11. There will be no Thursday evening meeting at Domani in December. Also, the club will be holding its annual holiday get-together at the ’76 House in Tappan, NY on Sunday, December 14. Further details will be forthcoming as they are finalized.
Mark Your Calendar with these UPCOMING EVENTS:
by G. Sherman
Tues., Nov. 18 - Board Meeting – Pascack Historical Society, 19 Ridge Av., Park Ridge – Dinner at 6:00; meeting at 6:30.
Fri., Nov. 21 – Club Meeting at The Courtyard – Bell rings at 12:15. Installation of Dan Antokal and Lester Kempner. Orientation for new members will precede the regular meeting and will begin at 11:30.
Sun., Nov. 23 – Gift of Life Lobster and Clam Bake being hosted by PDG Joe Laureni at the Elks Lodge on Rte. 17 in Paramus. 2:00-6:00
Fri., Nov. 28 – Orders for fresh Florida oranges and grapefruit due to Bernie Cohen
Thurs., Dec. 11 – Annual Holiday Party at Lehmann Gardens. (There will be no Thursday night dinner meeting at Domani in December.)
Sun., Dec. 14 - Club's Holiday Party at '76 House in Tappan, NY.
Program:
by G. Sherman
by G. Sherman
Pres. Bob was happy to welcome Scott Karrel to tonight’s meeting in order to present him with a check from the Park Ridge Rotary Foundation. The check will help Scott’s Unlock Foundation complete the library that is being built in the village of Okalunga, Namibia. If you are unfamiliar with the extraordinary work being done by Scott and the Unlock Foundation as they work to provide education to children in three rural communities in Namibia and Kenya, visit their website, www.unlockfoundation.org
Park Ridge Rotary Club President Bob Bustard presenting check to Scott Karrel
BRINGING EXCITEMENT AND SMILES TO KIDS FIGHTING CANCER
Our featured speaker this week was member-in-waiting, Lester Kempner who enthusiastically described the work of Caps for Kids, a 501c3 non-profit started by a New Orleans doctor in 1993 as a way to lift the spirits of young cancer patients. Over the years, the group has expanded to 122 chapters nation-wide. Four months ago, Lester became the charity’s Regional Coordinator for New York and New Jersey.
Each year 16,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. For a child, the loss of their hair as a result of chemotherapy can be as devastating as the medical diagnosis. To provide these children with a cap autographed by a hero of their choice has become the mission of the organization. Affected children are encouraged to make a wish list of 3 personal heroes. Volunteers then work to contact agents of public figures to get the donated caps autographed. National board president Ellen Kempner, Lester’s daughter, reports that not one celebrity has ever turned down a request. “The cap symbolizes strength and allows the child to feel that their cap hero is with them during their treatment.”
As a fund-raising effort, schools and businesses are being encouraged to schedule a Cap Day in which students or employees donate between $1 and $5 to the non-profit for the privilege of wearing their favorite hat for the day. Money raised will help Caps for Kids achieve their goal of distributing between 3500 and 4000 caps to young cancer patients each year.
To learn more about this inspiring organization that has brought encouragement, hope and happiness to thousands of cancer-stricken children over the past 20 years, visit their website at http://www.capsforkids.org