Our usual social time was as enjoyable as ever. Then certain words were spoken. “Looks like it’s time to get going,” stated the president. “You’re right,” came a response. “Thank you, Les,” replied Veronica, and Meeting #27 was officially underway.
Leon played a version of O Canada being sung twice, in English and then French, and set in a lower key. I actually had to go up at the end rather than try to hit the low note. Many beautiful photos accompanied the singing.
Announcements included reminders about our theme for this year, attendees for the Foundation grants seminar, and programs for upcoming meetings. Foundation Chair Wayne read the Rotary Foundation Moment for this week which answered the question What Makes a Successful Global Grant Application?
Our guest speaker, Jeffrey Hager, told us about the Hands for Peacemaking Foundation which assists families in Guatemala. The Foundation was started in Snohomish County just south of us to assist families in small villages of 24 to 400 families with water catchment systems, schools and stoves for cooking. The villagers live in little huts and have an open fire pit inside the house to provide warmth in the rainy season and to use for cooking their meals. As you can imagine, many problems result from these smoky conditions. Our club donated funds to help pay for stoves to be provided and installed in and around Barillos, Guatemala. Click on Jeffrey’s presentation to see the slides he shared with us. The stoves cost $225 each and volunteers from District 5050 pay around $2000 for the opportunity to fly to Barillos and work several days putting the stoves together and installing them in the houses.
Happy and sad dollars were pledged and we closed with a toast to Canada.