Meeting of March 28, 2019
Announcements:
We had a visitor who is a new South Berwick transplant, having lived a bit in Kennebunk and originally from Bosnia where she was involved with Rotaract. Her name is Lena Ugren and she is a graphic designer, artist, bartender, and more. We look forward to seeing her again.
Geography Quiz Night is closing in on us. Next Friday the teams will compete for the bragging rights and custom trophies proclaiming them geography geniuses. Thanks to team sponsors who make this all possible and the hard-working Rotarians and Interact-ers who help pull together the event. Robin Wheeler has requested that folks bring in baked goods in baggies that we can sell for $1 apiece (you be the judge for how much to put in the baggie), to supplement the other foods that will be sold there. Also, raffle items are still welcome. See Stan Shapleigh, who is in need of lots of coffee cans if you can bring them to Thursday's meeting. Please plan to come.
Keep up the ticket selling for the MEF/Rotary Dance for scholarships scheduled for April 27th.
Food Pantry is this Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m.
The Blood Drive is April 13th at the Town Hall.
There is a District Assembly this coming Saturday, I believe. See President Richard for details and he will make sure your registration is paid for by the club.
The electronics fundraiser will take place at Eliot Commons on May 18th.
Program
Theresa Tozier was back to tell us about all the great progress Lydia's House of Hope has made. For those unfamiliar with the project, it started out as Seeds of Faith and focused on homelessness. The group involved decided it was best to buy a home in Somersworth that used to be a nursing home, in terrible disrepair but having lots of possibilities since it had 12 bedrooms, large kitchen, meeting areas, etc. With help from kind and generous individuals and companies and organizations, they have established a transitional housing program for women and children that provides vocational and life skills, with the goal of breaking the cycle of homelessness that goes from generation to generation. In August of 2016 they purchased the house and everything about its renovation was donated. What this lovely place gives these women and children is a sense of self-respect and hope. Their holistic program addresses their spiritual, emotional, vocational and physical needs. Their latest addition is a fully-equipped gym in their renovated basement, all donated by Planet Fitness and recently inaugurated by PF and Governor Sununu - a mini-Planet Fitness. Lydia's House of Hope is named after Lydia, a 9-year-old who passed away some years ago from cancer and whose family wanted to create something that would keep Lydia's memory alive. There are now 10 employees, 24/7 coverage, places for residents to grow fresh produce, they cook for each other, they have over 30 programs in-house to improve themselves, and they set goals and keep setting them as they achieve goals, with the ultimate goal being to get off government assistance and be self-sufficient. There are now a number of successful graduates of Lydia's House of Hope. All donations are welcome, as they have an operational budget they need to sustain. We are inspired by Theresa's enthusiasm and dedication to this wonderful program.