Last Wednesday was our first virtual Joint Thanksgiving meeting with Area 2 Rotary Clubs. Members from Morning Star and Easton joined us, as did District Governor Janet Kolepp and DG Elect Bob Hobaugh. Special thanks to Diane Donaher for helping organize the meeting this year.
Our program featured Elias Thomas, a realtor and Rotarian from Maine. He gave a very inspiring program on how The Rotary Foundation-funded by our gifts- transforms lives of people around the globe. While helping to administer polio vaccines in Northern India, he saw that the people were in desperate need of clean drinking water. Village women told him about high infant mortality rates which were tied to the drinking water wells being used to wash dishes, clothes, etc. as well as for drinking during prevalent arid conditions.
Elias saw an opportunity to help the villagers and for the last 10 plus years has led teams of Rotarians from around the world (up to 78 per mission) to India building dams to capture the monsoon rains and provide irrigation and clean water year round. So far they have built 12 dams, all are sustaining projects, and the villagers work with the team to instill pride and protect the dams. The dams have changed the lives of women significantly. There is now a daycare facility for children and instead of spending their day gathering water, women have time to have jobs and elevate the standard of living for their families. We saw first hand how The Rotary Foundation changed the lives of more than 15,000 villagers in India with one project. Thank you Elias for putting service above self!
We also heard from our BAVTS Artisan of the Month. Jheremy Iparraguirre is originally from Lima, Peru and currently is a senior at Liberty High School and enrolled in the Graphic Communications program at BAVTS. Jheremy shared some of his academic successes and designs with plans to pursue a freelance designer career. He will be enrolling at NCC next year. Thank you to our club for allowing our future stars the opportunity to tell their story to us.
Breaking News: A new project we can help our Liberty H. S. Interact Club with: They are collecting toys for the Toys for Tots program at Liberty. Bethlehem Rotarians who wish to help them in this effort can drop off toys at Aykroyd Hardware now through December 11th and we will forward them to the students for distribution by Toys for Tots. Contact Maria Dietrich or me for details.
Keep In Mind:
- There is NO ZOOM MEETING THIS WEEK! Our next ZOOM meeting will be December 2.
- There is also NO HAPPY HOUR MEETING this week. Paul Ricciardi advises he will be too busy cooking turkey and will not have time to host and cook!
- Ron Bauer said details will be forthcoming for Bethlehem Rotary to help volunteer by ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in December.
- Tuesday November 24 is District 7430 Giving Day. This is the day we are asking you to set aside and make a donation to the Annual Fund of The Rotary Foundation. As Rotarians, this is the way we share our blessings that make a difference. Please visit www.RotaryDistrict7430.org/donate and remember every donation made on this day will be matched with 100 Foundation Recognition Points.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
