Bob has been a Rotarian since 1987, is a Past President, a Major Donor to The Rotary Foundation (TRF), and is the recipient of Rotary’s highest award for individual Rotarians, the “Service Above Self Award”. He led our District’s Group Study Exchange Team to Scotland and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Global Grants Committee for District 7390. Bob is a Doctor of Optometry who has provided eye care and low vision care, through TRF’s grant programs, during 22 international projects having been the leader of many of those projects.
His topic is “Project Braveheart: a project in the Philippines to correct congenital heart defects”, and he will also bring us up to speed on our tentative project in Zambia.
Braving the inclement weather, members and guests attending our most recent meeting heard how Lancaster County will soon be at the leading edge in early childhood education for disadvantaged families. The program detailed the mission and approach of the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS) in delivering accessible, high-quality early childhood education while supporting families through their two-generational approach. Interest level was high and sparked a number of thoughtful questions.
Our speakers from CHS were (left to right in the photos below) Senate Alexander, Executive Director; Luanne Gould, Center Director of CHS Elizabethtown; and Kresta Horn, Center Director of CHS New Danville. Guests included visitors from the School District of Lancaster, who wanted to hear more about the CHS plans for Lancaster City.
Early childhood education is now recognized as an incredibly important period for children from birth through age four, providing the foundation for educational achievement, economic productivity, and responsible citizenship.
Alexander, a graduate of the Milton Hershey School, led off with an overview of the Milton Hershey Schools. The CHS were launched to provide cost-free, non-residential early childhood education centers. The centers are designed for children from six months through age 4 from economically disadvantaged and at-risk backgrounds. CHS plans to open six such centers by 2027. Three will be in Lancaster county: Elizabethtown, Lancaster City, and New Danville. These three are scheduled to open in 2026.
Gould followed with a description of the facilities. They will include classrooms, indoor and outdoor play areas and a family success center staffed with six specialists that will work with the families to help them succeed as families.
Horn was next and said they will accept children from six weeks to four years of age, but want to make sure that the child will be there five days a week. They have already hired staff who are going through a one-year staff development program before the school opens.
Alexander concluded by saying they are working with community organizations such as Fast Start to coordinate services in a way to best serve the community. They are working with local school districts to coordinate curricula for the best possible transition. They will find ways to work with disabled and non-English speaking children.
RCL International Service Project Opens Opportunities for Members
Interested RCL members may donate before January 31
Under the guidance of PP Bob McClenathan, chair of District/World Committee, and with Board approval, Rotary Club of Lancaster will soon partner in important healthcare projects in Zambia, in south-central Africa. The 7-day projects in April provide opportunities for donors and project volunteers to supplement global grants provided under Rotary’s disease prevention area of focus.
The projects will provide eye, dental and medical exams, in addition to equipment and training. Our club is primary sponsor of the eye team and will be associate sponsor of the medical and dental grants.
Interested RCL members may donate before January 31 by sending a check to Crystal payable to Rotary Club of Lancaster and marked for the Zambia International Service Project. Anyone interested in volunteering to accompany the teams should contact Past District Governor 7430 Cindy Hornaman at hornamca@ptd.net,(610) 360-4875.
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Are You Coming to the Wed., March 29, Meeting to Pack Meals?
Crystal needs to have RSVPs by February 17.
The club members will come together to pack between 15,000 and 20,000 meals at the Farm & Home Center for Food Hub/Outreach on Wednesday, March 29, at the time we normally have a meeting.
For the first time in more than seven decades of operation, takeout packaging has become necessary for the Lancaster County Food Hub to distribute meals safely — and a Lancaster Cares grant helped it do just that.
The Food Hub does not serve meals directly to clients. Rather, the 74-year old organization stores inventory in its 7,200 square-foot facility at 812 N. Queen St., from which food is then distributed to church-based community meal programs.
Each meal site may serve anywhere from 75 to 300 people at each meal, for a total of around 5,000 to 6,000 meals per month.
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RCL is Updating Contact Information for Members
In preparation for a new Member Directory, Secretary Eric Elliot announced that the Club is checking with all members to make sure their contact information on file with the club is correct. This includes telephone numbers and email addresses. Crystal passed around the current member information at the January 18th meeting. If you didn't verify or update your information at that meeting, you can contact Crystal with your current information or wait until she contacts you. She can be reached at: RCOL7390@lancasterrotary.org.
Our Club is always looking for ideas to add to the list of potential programs. Thanks to those who have come up with ideas and to our terrific speakers, and to all who attend our meeting programs. If you have any ideas for programs, please contact Christine Sable or another member of the Meeting Planning Committee or any Board member, who will pass them along. Both live and virtual (Zoom) speakers are welcome. The programs the Lancaster Rotary Club offers are important for our club and, with your help and participation, have often been truly phenomenal.
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Amazon Smile is Shutting Down on February 20, 2023
After a 10-year run, Amazon announced on January 18, 2023, that it would shut down the AmazonSmile program on February 20, 2023. We thank those who participated in AmazonSmile for the Rotary Club of Lancaster or any other charity. It was a great program that was easy to use.
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Ski Trip to Blue Mountain on Feb. 7
Bill Boben announced that RCL has accepted an invitation from the Vipers to ski at Blue Mountain on Tuesday, February 7. The group will meet at the Oregon Dairy Restaurant for breakfast and then carpool from there. For more information contact Bill Boben.
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Have Something to Share? To Add, Edit or Discontinue an Announcement or Photo:
Transmitter Editor, Steve Henning, will gladly add a new announcement, edit an existing announcement, or discontinue an announcement that is no longer relevant. Please contact Steve at: rotarians@earthlink.net. Photos of Rotarians in action are always welcome. Send photos to Steve at: rotarians@earthlink.net.
It is important and easy! Help Keep the Club Calendar Updated
All Rotarians – especially committee chairs – are encouraged to help keep our new Club Calendar full and updated with the great things that our Club is doing in the community. Please submit any items you would like added to RCOL7390@lancasterrotary.org. Examples include the schedule of McCaskey Mentoring Sessions, Committee Meetings, Power Packs or Salvation Army Bell Ringing. If it’s happening, let’s get it on the Calendar for all to see! Your help will keep us all updated with what’s going on within the Club AND will showcase our very active Club to the Lancaster Community and to prospective members. The Club Calendar is available atwww.LancasterRotary.org
Bob has been a Rotarian since 1987, is a Past President, a Major Donor to The Rotary Foundation (TRF), and is the recipient of Rotary’s highest award for individual Rotarians, the “Service Above Self Award”. He led our District’s Group Study Exchange Team to Scotland and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Global Grants Committee for District 7390. Bob is a Doctor of Optometry who has provided eye care and low vision care, through TRF’s grant programs, during 22 international projects having been the leader of many of those projects.
Under the guidance of PP Bob McClenathan, chair of District/World Committee, and with Board approval, Rotary Club of Lancaster will soon partner in important healthcare projects in Zambia, in south-central Africa. The 7-day projects in April provide opportunities for donors and project volunteers to supplement global grants provided under Rotary’s disease prevention area of focus.
Crystal needs to have RSVPs by February 17. 
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After a 10-year run, Amazon announced on January 18, 2023, that it would shut down the AmazonSmile program on February 20, 2023. We thank those who participated in AmazonSmile for the Rotary Club of Lancaster or any other charity. It was a great program that was easy to use.
