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We meet every Monday at 12:15 PM
Plymouth Church Parish Hall
87 Edgell Rd.
Framingham, MA 01701
United States
Come ZOOM with us!
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Serving Dinner at Pearl St. Cafe
Student Scholarship Winners
Play House for Veteran Family
Join Rotary to Defeat Polio
Gift of Life Recipient
Our speaker today was Bill Sell, speaking about his experience with the RAM (Remote Area Medical), a cooperative program tied in with the Public Health Dept, the Medical Reserve Corp, and Tufts Dental to provide free health care services …no ID or insurance needed. 374 patients were seen over 2 days; Many children hadn’t seen a medical professional in years.
Allie O’Hare, Director of Development, spoke about Jeff’s Place (a Framingham Rotary Grant Recipient), a place for children to process grief at the loss of a loved one…..with others who are similarly suffering. 1 in 13 children in Massachusetts will experience the death of a parent or sibling before they reach the age of 18!!
Jeff’s Place offers hope & healing in a supportive community setting for grieving children, teens, families & individuals. They utilize art, music, movement, writing, and play to explore, express, and empower.
Our speaker today was our District Governor, Johnny Ahern, who spoke of the district structure and his role as a Governor…..the district organization mirrors that of the clubs, and its sole function is to assist the clubs.
He strongly recommended collaboration with other organizations as a way of finding new members….that new members should be those who will contribute, not just those seeking to belong.
There is a district-wide, multi-club food packaging project with a goal of 100,000 meals!!! If this goal is reached, Johnny will do a polar plunge!!!
He noted that members tend to be more active with service projects; they want to “do” not just “attend”.
Johnny stressed the importance of getting new members involved in established club projects so that they can “take over” and perpetuate the legacy of the club.
He strongly recommended collaboration with other organizations as a way of finding new members….that new members should be those who will contribute, not just those seeking to belong.
There is a district-wide, multi-club food packaging project with a goal of 100,000 meals!!! If this goal is reached, Johnny will do a polar plunge!!!
He noted that members tend to be more active with service projects; they want to “do” not just “attend”.
Johnny stressed the importance of getting new members involved in established club projects so that they can “take over” and perpetuate the legacy of the club.
Our speaker today is Larry Stoodt, a long-time community service participant and working member of Framingham’s Sustainability Committee, which strives to make Framingham a more sustainable community. Larry mentioned that Framingham has done a decent job implementing solar energy with over 25 square miles of solar installed. However, Natick and Wayland is doing better. And, with climate change driving over 35 extreme weather disasters costing over $10 billion, we need to do more
Today was a most enjoyable outing in lieu of the regular meeting. We went to Sherborn to visit Horse Sensibility!! A very well-run place where horses are used for therapy for children with physical or mental disabilities. There are about a dozen horses, a huge indoor riding area, horse corrals, and a dedicated staff. Polly Kornblith, Founder and Executive Director, hosted us and provided the tour. We provided a grant that provides scholarships for the children. What was impressive was the extensive costs involved in maintaining this facility…….the vet expenses are just the tip of the iceberg. We had a surprisingly good club membership turnout and all went to John Stone’s Inn in Ashland for lunch.
The 60' by 200' indoor riding rink at Horse SenseAbility
Marisa Lutz, Director of Resource Development, gave a most impressive presentation about the Boys and Girls Club; we have justifiably supported them over the years. Their mission is to provide social, educational, physical, and cultural social programming for Boys & Girls in MetroWest. $25 is the annual membership fee. In Framingham, 40% are foreign-born and 65% qualify for free or subsidized lunch.
They have 4 buses for bringing the students to their facility ($325 pr bus per day). The club remains open when there is no school, as parents may still need to work. Academic programs for kids to hone their skills. Opportunities for kids to donate time to the community, sports and cooking classes; digital arts room; music studio; STEM education promoted early; career path presentations.
This is one of those “sorta under the radar” organizations doing great things in our community
They have 4 buses for bringing the students to their facility ($325 pr bus per day). The club remains open when there is no school, as parents may still need to work. Academic programs for kids to hone their skills. Opportunities for kids to donate time to the community, sports and cooking classes; digital arts room; music studio; STEM education promoted early; career path presentations.
This is one of those “sorta under the radar” organizations doing great things in our community
Pictured are the Rotary Club members who participated in Ashland's 2025 Reality Fair, where Ashland High seniors learn the basics of managing a budget. The Rotarians are pictured in front of the Wheel of Fortune/Misfortune that injects life events into each student's carefully planned budget. The event is put on by the Ashland Student Council and its advisors. They do a great job year after year.
On Monday 19th May, 12 high school seniors from Framingham, Ashland, and Hopkinton were given scholarships from our Club. They also received citations from Karen Spilka, President of Mass. Senate and from Jack Lewis, Mass. State Representative.
Our first Cornhole Tournament was a great success. It was a great day with 22 teams playing in the sun and in a little rain. Everyone expressed how much fun they had.
Eight contests set up and ready to play.
Registration and raffle are ready to go.
Winners of the non-competitive division shown with their prize.
Our speaker was Deputy Police Chief Sean Riley, accompanied by Chief Lester Baker, who spoke about the Framingham Police Department. Current staffing totals 136 with 22-24 police out in the community working in one of the three 8 hour shifts. There are 5 police in the nine month training program.
Sean then spoke about the District Dispatch Center which will cover the 911 calls for Framingham, Wayland and Natick starting in Summer 2026. In the future, as part of the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System, Dispatch will have access to public, business and private (upon request) cameras to assist in crime prevention and detection.
Currently, Framingham police wear personal cameras when on duty (which were not on during Sean’s talk). License plate cameras are currently being used in police cars to facilitate identification.
Sean then spoke about the District Dispatch Center which will cover the 911 calls for Framingham, Wayland and Natick starting in Summer 2026. In the future, as part of the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System, Dispatch will have access to public, business and private (upon request) cameras to assist in crime prevention and detection.
Currently, Framingham police wear personal cameras when on duty (which were not on during Sean’s talk). License plate cameras are currently being used in police cars to facilitate identification.
Amy Miller, from Family Promise, was our speaker today. Family Promise is a private non-profit that provides shelter, education, comfort, and support, primarily as regarding existing and potential homelessness for families. Massachusetts currently has the highest percentage of child homelessness in the country. Family Promise works to mobilize a diverse community to provide shelter and establish comprehensive support for families in need. Their shelters can hold up to three families at a time.
Our speaker was Rick MacPhearson, President and CEO of the MetroWest YMCA.Rick spoke about the recent Community Breakfast with over 300 in attendance with many telling of what the “Y” means to them.
Starting in COVID-19 the “Y” serves over 1000 meals per day for MetroWest needy.
Rick discussed the proposed new “Y” in Hopkinton, "The Team Hoyt Regional Y", named after a father who ran each Boston Marathon pushing his son in a wheelchair. The new Y will be located on 121/2 acres of donated land on Rte 135. It is being designed for wheelchair convenience – including the swimming pool. Trails in the back of the property will connect with the rail trail system in MetroWest. The target is to break ground later this year and complete the project by the end of 2027. $11 million has been raised towards a goal of $20 million with a total cost of nearly $50 million.
Today, our speaker was Zach Bourke from Minot DeBois Advisors, the investment advisor for our Education Fund. We have had 2 years in a row of over 20% gain; the past 5-10 years have been very good for the US market and for our high school senior scholarships fund.
Club President Patti McCarthy giving our Club mug to speaker James Tresner.Our speaker today was James Tresner, Executive Director at Bethany Hill Place, who spoke about Bethany Hill Place providing a dual focus on housing and education goals to more than 150 individuals and families every year.
Bethany Hill Place serves households that have experienced homelessness, addiction, poverty, violence, and loss by providing for basic needs in the form of safe, independent housing along with educational opportunities.
Bethany Hill Place offers their residents parenting seminars, adult learning workshops, 1/1 education and job training counseling, access to technology and the internet, and more so that they can fully engage in and transform their lives.
Bethany Hill Place is a 30-year-old 501c3 nonprofit sponsored by the Sisters of St Joseph of Boston
Rwbecca Maynard Spoke at our Club recently. Rebecca teaches honors biology and AP Environmental Science at Framingham High School and is a Co-Advisor of the school's environmental awareness club. She recently received the prestigious Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship made possible by National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions.
As Co-Advisor of the Environmental Awareness Club, Rebecca worked with the Framingham Rotary Club in acquiring 20 rain barrels which were painted by the environmental club members and will be given away to registered participants. Please see the following page to register.
Paul Surapine is the founding director and the artistic director of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra in Milford; he is a Past President of the Milford Rotary Club and remains active in Rotary activities.
Paul started playing the clarinet at age 9 (1968), studied in New York and moved to Milford in 1992. Milford has a great history in music, having an Opera House that hosted Caruso and the Vienna Boys Choir. I
Historically, there was a Framingham-Milford Concert Band which became the Milford Concert Band in 1993. Paul joined and became Concert Manager in 1996. This has evolved into the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra now celebrating its 25th year!! They now play to virtually full houses for each performance. Claflin is an opportunity to perpetuate great music to successive generations.
Sandra Montesino from Daniel’s Table
Fighting Hunger a bit differently!! Simply put: Daniel’s Table is concerned with food security….defined as ensuring that all family members enjoy nutritious meals, seven days a week, WITHOUT creating debt or ignoring other essentials!!!
They partner with farms, markets schools, churches, senior centers and other community organizations to identify the need and satisfy that need. The needs of all family members are considered with the goal of nutritious food, education on purchasing and preparation. Through an interview process, age, gender and specific health needs are all considered.
Daniel’s Table offers a variety of foods dense in nutrition, low in salt and sugar, high in protein AND labeled in three languages!!!
During their intake process, the financial contribution that a family can afford is discussed and then Daniel’s Table bridges the gap to ensure great quality and ample quantity.
Recipes are provided each week. 150 households per week are served; 547 average number of meals per month and 307,000 since inception
They partner with farms, markets schools, churches, senior centers and other community organizations to identify the need and satisfy that need. The needs of all family members are considered with the goal of nutritious food, education on purchasing and preparation. Through an interview process, age, gender and specific health needs are all considered.
Daniel’s Table offers a variety of foods dense in nutrition, low in salt and sugar, high in protein AND labeled in three languages!!!
During their intake process, the financial contribution that a family can afford is discussed and then Daniel’s Table bridges the gap to ensure great quality and ample quantity.
Recipes are provided each week. 150 households per week are served; 547 average number of meals per month and 307,000 since inception
On Friday evening members and guests put blue tape down to mark out 118 craft fair booth spaces.
Members and high school students manning an entrance table to the Holiday Craft Fair.
Over 1,000 customers attended our Holiday Craft Fir.
Thank You to many of our members who participated in our Holiday Craft Fair and made it the best event ever.
Dave Podell, President of Mass Bay Community College, welcomed the Club to MassBay Community Colleg and introduced Roxana Marerra the Director of the Community Education Workforce. Roxana explained a most interesting program at the school that combines corporate partnerships for practical community education. The program provides specialized courses that individuals need to succeed in their respective workplaces.
Courses in Healthcare Training cover care for Hospice patients, medical interpretation, home health aide training, care for Alzheimer's and memory loss patients as well as training for those seeking certification. 35% of the students in this program are unemployed and 44% earn less than $25K per year.
Courses in Healthcare Training cover care for Hospice patients, medical interpretation, home health aide training, care for Alzheimer's and memory loss patients as well as training for those seeking certification. 35% of the students in this program are unemployed and 44% earn less than $25K per year.
The Foundation Dinner was a fun event with good Framingham representation. It was noted that worldwide polio cases are now well under 100…..when the polio effort started 35 years ago there were 350,000 cases annually. We were well-represented by Bob Worth – District Foundation Chairman.
Our annual Pancake Breakfast was a success, with real pancakes, real sausage, and real maple syrup serving the public and friends of Rotary.
Our Club enjoyed the fellowship of serving in the kitchen and at the tables.
