This Week's Meeting: Graviel Nuel Jacobo, Centro de Protesis, "Prosthetic and Physical Therapy"
Centro de Prótesis y Terapia Fisica which translates as Prosthetic and Physical Therapy Center was founded on February 5th, 2017 by Mr. Graviel Nuel Jacobo.
Graviel, Director of Operations for Centro de Protesis, was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. When Graviel was 6 years old, he was climbing into a train car looking for food for himself and his family, when he fell, and the train ran over his right leg. For years, he was on crutches, struggling to attend school and do basic day-to-day activities. When Graviel was 13, he was working with a Mission in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The Christian organization raised funds for Graviel to fly to the United States and receive his first prosthetic limb. Graviel did not take this generosity for granted and decided to pay it forward by starting Centro De Protesis, a nonprofit facility that helps amputees like himself in the Dominican Republic.
Over 12% of the Dominican Republic population has a disability. Due to a lack of healthcare facilities, untreated or poorly treated minor infections often lead to amputations. Many Dominicans and Haitian immigrants work in fields, with little safety regulation and a high incidence of farm accidents resulting in amputations. There are currently over 1,000,000 people in the Dominican Republic with amputated or severely deformed limbs. Most of those do not have access to prosthetics, making their life very difficult.
Graviel has become involved with various Rotary Clubs throughout the United States, working to gain support and spread the word for his mission. Here he is now, in Portland, Maine!
Our Friday Oct 27 Meeting will also be on Zoom!
This meeting will be on ZOOM. There is some risk of publishing Zoom meeting information publicly. With two days notice, and a closed email list, we’ll take that chance.
Last Week's Program: Casco Bay Bridge Walk and Social to End Polio! |by Patty Byers
You couldn’t miss all 55 of us, from five Rotary Clubs, dressed in bright red End Polio Now shirts, crossing the bridge. Thank you to Paul Gore for outfitting us for the walk.
After first converging on the Shaw's Supermarket parking lot to organize, our walkers took up their banners and headed to the bridge. Varying distances were completed, but ultimately all ended up at Foulmouthed Brewing for a good time, good drinks, and good food. Many others who were unable to join in the walk, arrived on the scene to show their support, and take advantage of the "Pints For Polio" donation from the brewery. As David Putnam aptly put it, "It was so good to gather together and to share in the laughter, smiles and goodness of our Rotary family." Cheers to Amy Chipman for making the arrangements at the brewery. We settled right in! Editor's Note - A big thanks to Patty Byers for her leadership on the bridge walk. Great team effort! Now let's get to the pictures to tell the story!
Bits and Pieces | by Tom Talbott
Though there was no meeting last week, please keep in mind upcoming events that were cited at our previous meeting:
ECO-MAINE: A tour of the Ecomaine facility has been schedule for Thursday, November 9th at 1 PM. We need to give Ecomaine a final count by 10/30 so let Ellen Niewoehner know if you are interested in seeing how your trash and recyclables are handled. It's very interesting. You can bring guests who are 12 years or older.
THANKSGIVING DINNER: Volunteers are needed for our annual Thanksgiving Meal at St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, Wed Nov 22. Prep and Cook (8-10a), Set-Up and Serve (10a-12:30p with mealtime from 11a-12:30p), and Clean-Up (12-2p) Sign-Up sheets will be on tables at starting this Friday. Please email Nannette Ranger-Duncanson for your desired shift.
SWAG: Samples and order forms for a wide selection of Rotary swag will be available before and after the meetings on October 27th and November 3rd. Thanks Paul Gore!
GARDEN TO BED: We have a volunteer opportunity working in Cultivating Community's Boyd Street Community Gardenon Wednesday, November 8th from 1:00 to 4:00, 58 Boyd Street in Portland.This will be a "putting the garden to bed" work party. Rain or shine gloves, tools and team leaders will be provided. Talk to Amy Chipman for more info.
NEW MEMBER: First Notice -
Tricia Toms of Falmouth, Maine has been sponsored for membership by Peter Goffin. Tricia is a photographer and owner of Tricia Toms Studio located in Falmouth. Her name will be published a second time and then her application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
SUNRISE ROTARY NEWS On Wednesday Nov. 1, the Portland Sunrise Club is hosting Danielle West, Portland City Manager, as guest speaker. The meeting will start at 7:30 AM, with a short business meeting, followed by Danielle presenting at 7:45 AM for up to 45 minutes.
November 3 - William Hardwood "Presenting Both Sides of the Utility
Takeover Debate
November 10 - No Meeting "Happy Veterans Day!"
November 17- Martha Bentley, former ME Economic Development "Helping
Small Businesses Start Operations"
November 24 - No Meeting - Happy Thanksgiving!
December 1- Eben Sumner, CEO Casco Bay Hemp
December 8 - Paul Drinan, Exec. Directior, "Friends of Fort Gorges"
December 15 - Derek Volk, President, Volk Packaging Company
Club Executives President Dick Hall President Elect Patty Byers Vice President John Thompson TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Bruce Jones,
Ben Millick, Quinn Slayton, Zachary Newell,
David Ertz, Maggie McGauley Sergeant-At-ArmsJake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Jake Bourdeau, Erik Jorgensen,
Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,
Zach Newell, Bruce Moore,
Tom Nickerson, Dave Patterson,
Tom Talbott, Laura Young
Program Chair Doreen Rockstrom Managing Editor Tom Talbott
Centro de Prótesis y Terapia Fisica which translates as Prosthetic and Physical Therapy Center was founded on February 5th, 2017 by Mr. Graviel Nuel Jacobo.
NEW MEMBER: First Notice -.png)
