There were 20 Rotarians gathered at the Redwood this sunny February day plus 4 attending on Zoom. Our guests were Sharon F. and our speakers, Rich di Asis and Patrick Coleman from the Rochester Rotary Club.

David greeted all with a smile. President Liz rang us in for the Pledge, followed by The Star Spangled Banner led by Jack. Rose shared a thought from Mr. Rogers who was told by his mother to always "look for the Helpers". As Rotarians, we can be those to look for.

 

Announcements included mentions from the Board Meeting this morning. Camp O is looking for our support for a shed to serve as an office at camp but due to changes in staff at the new location, it is on hold for now. Camp O has not had an increase in dues paid from the clubs involved in 20 years but needs to raise that contribution to meet increasing costs of running the 2 week camp this year. * Cummings Nature Center and Naples Library are planning an event at the Community Park for the total eclipse on April 8th, 1-4pm. We can participate as a group - if anyone has ideas, bring them to Liz. * Rotary has an International Women's Day program video on March 8th at 12 noon. We would need a place to hold it. * Sue circulated the sign up for donations to the Trout Derby prizes. On-line registration will be available March 1st. Since the Derby is on a Monday, everyone is encouraged to help out as our day of Rotary service.

 

John French introduced his long-time friend Rich di Asis. Rich was a member in Dansville for many years and is now a vice president of Global Service in the Rochester Rotary. With his colleague Patrick, they are visiting local Rotary Clubs to talk about a Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) project in Mubende, Uganda. Funds have been secured from Rotary International toward this project to bring clean and safe water to this rural area by collaborating with Untapped Shores from Rochester and SORAK in Uganda. Students in 27 schools will be taught how to create chlorine from salt to be used with filtered water at schools to bring safe wash stations and drinking water to families. Rich and Patrick demonstrated how the process works with simple equipment powered by a car or solar battery!

The project needs $100,000 and will start July 1st this year. They can add another school for each $3600 more raised. The groups will work with Ugandan leaders to create a sustainable solution to global illnesses due to contaminated water.

 

The Ace of Hearts was $68 today. Lucky Nancy picked the Ace of Spades instead.

Happy Bills included many thanks for the Program and their project. The Euchre tournament for Hospeace House was fun and successful raising $2000.

The Red Solo Cup question was what states do not allow marriage on a dare? No one had the answer.

"Who am I" revealed that President Liz loves magazines and newspapers as well as cookbooks! Who knew?!

 

We closed the gathering with the Rotary Four Way Test.

 

See you all next Monday evening for Rotary Jeopardy!