At our Tuesday, June 6^th Sunrise Meeting, Jim Dowling introduced his friend and Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Board Member, Dr. Jeff Buckwalter, the Fern Whisperer. Radiating warmth and enthusiasm for the subject of nature, Jeff shared his belief that exposure to the lush loveliness of the wildflower preserve helps to center people. And as an MD/ENT specializing in ears and how important they are to our ability to balance as we age, he sees the parallels between balance in people and balance in nature. He extolls the beauty of Bucks County, in general, and the Wildflower Preserve, in particular, and seduced us all into planning a trip to 1635 River Road to see the 800 specimens of native flora. We can even buy some for our own gardens – the wildflower sale is happening now.

 

Visit www.bhwp.org to get a virtual tour of this gorgeous outdoor museum.

 

It took a big slurp of coffee to swallow the news that there are 41,000 people living below the poverty level in wealthy Bucks County. That’s the number Joe Cuozzo, Development Director of the Bucks County Opportunity Council, left hanging in the air on Tuesday morning, May 23rd. With so many in need, the BCOC utilizes a vast team of volunteers, along with their 30 staff members, to make a dent in the poverty level. Here are some volunteer opportunities for our club*, or individual members:

Last year, the BCOC helped 15 families leap out of poverty and the program continues to grow. Additionally, the organization helps feed the hungry with fresh food through their “Fresh Connect” program, respond to emergency housing/heating needs, find rides for people without vehicles, etc. They save 4 of our tax dollars for every $1 they spend, thanks to volunteers who pitch in with body, mind, soul and cold, hard cash, around the framework this excellent organization provides. And thank you, Jim Dowling, for bringing Joe to breakfast!

 

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday, May 9, 2017, The Rotary Club of Doylestown inducted a new member! Please welcome Donyale Showers, the Executive Director of Twining Village, a Continuing Care Senior Living Center in Holland, Pa.  Donyale has already been active in Rotary activities for the past few months! Thank you and welcome, Donyale!  Donyale is picture with Gail Linenberg, Club VP, and Bob Tessier, Membership Chair.

 

Also on May 9, 2017, the Club welcomed Florence Kowacska, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. Florence informed us that 103 homes have been built and 40 repaired since 1990, when Habitat for Humanity came to Bucks County. In addition, two Re-Store locations collect and resell used appliances, cabinets, furniture, books and even offer some new items (furniture from Mealy’s and new cabinets from a local supplier), as a HfH funding source.
So – who gets these HfH homes? Families who demonstrate need, can pay a mortgage and can invest 200 hours of sweat equity into the job. As Florence said, it’s a “hand up, not a hand out”. For families who cannot qualify, there is an “Almost Home” program to help them fix credit issues and learn how to save money, among other things, so they can qualify for a home. Another program called “A Brush with Kindness” helps low income families preserve their homes. Volunteers fix minor exterior problems and some interior ones. The home-owners pay part of the cost, while Habitat funds the rest and volunteers do the work. This program will be expanded in upcoming years, since there is great need for it in our county. Florence encouraged us to participate in Habitat for Humanity by taking our used items to Re-store and by volunteering to help build or fix homes. Of course, donations are very welcome, too. A big thank you to Florence for an interesting and professionally presented program!  Florence is pictured with club member Jim Dowling.

For each of the last eight years, the Rotary Club of Doylestown has presented grant awards to community service organizations through a Request for Proposal process.  During this time, we have awarded over $158,000. 

 

In 2017, a total of $32,500 has been awarded to the following community groups and agencies:

 

A Woman’s Place-$1925
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County-$3000
Bucks County Association for The Blind-$1300
Bucks County Community College Foundation-$3000
Bucks County Housing Group-$3000
Explorer Post 135-$1200
Fiaria Project-$2575
Friends of Kids Castle-$3000
Lily’s Hope Foundation-$3000
United Way of Bucks County-$3000
Camp Discovery-$3000
Doylestown Fire Co. #1-$1000
Doylestown Youth Fishing Program-$1500
Shelter Box USA-$2000

Join us for the 2017 Four Way Test Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 7:30 a.m. at the Doylestown Country Club as we honor members of our community. For ticket inquiries, please contact Karen Lasorda at klasorda@buckscountybank.net or 215-589-6209.

Congratulations to the following Four Way Test Award winners: