At our meeting of May 2nd, our program was a screening of a new documentary film which was produced by PBS Channel 39 “Close to Home: Depression”. The film was a collaborative effort of Channel 39 and The Lehigh Valley Health Network, and tells intimate stories of hope and healing, as told by the patients, doctors and therapists who have lived them. The program was introduced by Maria Esposito of Channel 39. Also at our meeting was Dr. Edward Norris a psychiatrist at LVHN who is featured in the documentary.
We learned that depression is experienced by about 1 in 20 Americans, and although it is the most common mental illness, it is seldom talked about. As a result of the stigma, only about half of the 15 million people affected receive treatment. The patients who were featured in the video explained that the condition was not caused by something they did, or did not do, but by inherent physical conditions over which they have no control.
A word of thanks to our Program Committee, who scheduled this program because May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and, to remind our members about the Rotary Action Group on Mental Health Initiatives. Rotary International feels that part of its mission is to act as a worldwide resource for Rotarians in the field of mental health and mental illness to promote, protect, restore, and to help re-build the lost human capital to make a happier and healthier world. Look it up at www.myrotary.org .
Announcements:
Our club is scheduled for a cleanup of Centennial Park on Saturday May 5 th at 9:00
Our 22nd Annual Golf Outing is scheduled for May 14th . As you know, this event helps us to fund several club projects, in addition to the BAVTS Bridges Foundation. Please contact Rob Littner to arrange to participate at 610-865-6770 or rvlittner@gmail.com.
There will be a District 7430 Training Assembly on May 12th at DeSales University. I believe that Rotary offers the finest leadership training available, not to mention the opportunity to network with other Rotarians in our District. Then $45 enrollment fee will be reimbursed by our club. Please consider attending.
Following our regular meeting on Wednesday, Ham Malek, Bryon Grigsby, and Mike McGovern interviewed Molly Ferguson who is a RI Peace Scholar Applicant. This is a highly prestigious scholarship to study for a Masters Degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution at one of the 6 Universities around the world where Rotary has established the program. This is an example of Rotarians giving their time to create a better world. Thank you to Ham, Bryon and Mike for their important work.
Tree Planting Challenge- Are you concerned about our environment? Please take a look at RI President Ian Riseley’s challenge to all Rotary Clubs, https://www.esrag.org/tree-planting-challenge .
This Saturday morning our club will be performing our spring cleanup of Centennial Park. Please arrive by 9:00 a.m. The more members we have, the lighter the load will be. The considerable effort and funds we expended last year, and the fact that our name is on it, makes it important that we spruce up the park every spring and fall.
