Special Games Co-Sponsored by the Lynn Rotary Club
On May 6, 2015, the Lynn Rotary again co-sponsored the Special Games for the special education students of the Lynn Public Schools. Several Rotarians attended the games which provided great fun for these students at the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute that day. Approximately 300 students were treated to a wide variety of games including: Bounce houses, Slides, throwing games, bowling games, bike riding games, games of skill, and others. The Lynn Tech students helped to man the many different game stations available to the special education students. The festivities started off with the arrival of the runners from the Lynn Police who ran from their police station to the Tech Fieldhouse, and who formed a lane of honor along with members of the Rotary and other dignitaries in attendance. The students, many of whom carried the banner of their school marched in procession prior to the start of the games, smiling and welcoming the applause for them. It was a thrill to see the happiness on the faces of the students while they marched and later on during the games.
The Superintendent of Schools and other system-wide administrators were in attendance and were pleased that the Rotary had again helped fund part of the day’s festivities. The day was also co-sponsored by the City of Lynn Parks and Recreation Program and the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute.
Special thanks are given to the following Rotarians who attended the event; Dave Richardson , Bob Dugas, Steve Upton, Maria Cacciola, Wendy Silva, Ray Bastarache, Obie Barker, Bill Simpson, and of course, Rich Cuffe, program chairman. Each and every Rotarian agreed that this was a great morning for the student and for themselves. The smiles on the faces of these students were, in itself, worth it. For an idea of the scope of the day, please see the photo album on our website, www.lynnrotary.org.
Lynn Rotary qualified to apply for matching grants through District 7930
Recently, two members of our club, President Elect Ray and Steve Upton, attended the District 7930 Grants Qualification Session, held during the District Conference. At this session, district officers presented how local clubs like Lynn can apply for two types of grants, District Grants and Global Grants. The guidelines were presented for each type of grant, as were the budgets for each type. Each type also had its own specific guidelines as to the amount of matching funds that could be granted based on the projects envisioned.
Clubs can apply for local project District Grants up to a match of $3,000, or up to a match of $5,000 for an international project funded in the District Grant category. Clubs can apply for up to $7,500 for international projects funded by a Rotary Global Grant category.
The Lynn Club has had a number of activities this past year some of which could potentially be approved for a District Grant. During this year, we worked with other Rotary clubs and Lions clubs to raise the necessary funds (approximately $3,000) to make 10,000 meals as part of the Stop Hunger Now program. Potentially that number could be doubled to 20,000 meals if a District grant could be approved.
During this past year, Dr. Deborah Walters presented to our club her efforts to raise funds for the kids of the Guatemala city dump, by kayaking from Maine to Guatemala. Her funds were dedicated to creating a 4th grade for the children of the dump. Potentially a District grant could be sought for matching funds to help create a 5th grade for the students.
Lynn is qualified for the next fiscal year to develop and propose a project for those matching funds. A few suggestions have been presented here, in line with our activities this past year. Perhaps club members can think of other worthy grant proposals to make. Whatever the specific proposal, it would be a great benefit to increase the impact of the work we already do for such worth causes.
Stop Hunger Now, the program in which our club participated earlier this year has sent an email around to volunteers who participated in the event. They are soliciting funds to support emergency food for the people of Nepal who have suffered so much recently due to the earthquakes and landslides. Here are their words:
"The people of Nepal are still reeling in the wake of last weekend's 7.9 magnitude earthquake. With crops destroyed and infrastructure in ruins, the aid that is slowly trickling in is not enough to get the debilitated communities back on their feet.
More must be done.
Through our local Nepalese and Indian partners, we aim to provide 1.2 million meals and other aid to restore the health & hope of those in need. But we can only accomplish this with your support. Help us be there for the survivors as they begin the difficult process of healing & rebuilding."
Given our prior association with the Stop Hunger Now program, club members may want to donate funds toward this effort, either through the club or individually. The news has certainly documented the need of a country that has suffered so much in recent days. It is possible that the 10,000 meals we recently produced are on their way to Nepal already.
Team Rotary Club of Lynn Participates Again in the Relay for Life
The Rotary Club of Lynn is again participating in the Lynn Relay for Life to be held on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at DCR Red Rock Park, 188 Lynn Shore Drive, Lynn, MA. The event will be held from 1:00pm to 10:00pm and will feature a wide variety of events for the public, as well as for those who are walking to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. It will again feature a Survivors Lap and a Luminary Ceremony, both of which celebrate and honor those who have suffered from cancer. It will again bring together a community of people whose lives and families have been touched by this dreaded disease.
Funds raised by Team Rotary will help support efforts in cancer research, patient care, and family support for caregivers. The American Cancer Society has helped make possible almost every major cancer breakthrough since 1946, and it has been through fundraising efforts of events such as the Relay for Life that this has become possible.
Club members are urged to register and/or donate for the Lynn Relay for Life event and sign up for our team. Each team member will have a goal of raising $100 and will also participate in the events of the day. As usual, the team will again be raising funds during the day by selling food and drinks. The website to register for the event is : http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY15NE?pg=entry&fr_id=65257
Any club members who would like to work on the Relay event should email Steve Upton. Help is needed to plan for this important service project.
On May 6, 2015, the Lynn Rotary again co-sponsored the Special Games for the special education students of the Lynn Public Schools. Several Rotarians attended the games which provided great fun for these students at the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute that day. Approximately 300 students were treated to a wide variety of games including: Bounce houses, Slides, throwing games, bowling games, bike riding games, games of skill, and others. The Lynn Tech students helped to man the many different game stations available to the special education students. The festivities started off with the arrival of the runners from the Lynn Police who ran from their police station to the Tech Fieldhouse, and who formed a lane of honor along with members of the Rotary and other dignitaries in attendance. The students, many of whom carried the banner of their school marched in procession prior to the start of the games, smiling and welcoming the applause for them. It was a thrill to see the happiness on the faces of the students while they marched and later on during the games. 
Recently, two members of our club, President Elect Ray and Steve Upton, attended the District 7930 Grants Qualification Session, held during the District Conference. At this session, district officers presented how local clubs like Lynn can apply for two types of grants, District Grants and Global Grants. The guidelines were presented for each type of grant, as were the budgets for each type. Each type also had its own specific guidelines as to the amount of matching funds that could be granted based on the projects envisioned. 
