Melanie Dresser, Executive Director of Camp CaPella was our guest speaker this week.
Opening Ceremonies: Rotarian Max Dietshe called the meeting to order.
Invocation was read by Cindy shoppe and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Sergeants at Arms: Tony and Julie Bouchard
Guests: Viisting Rotarians Dave & Betty Parsons; Francesca Dresser, daughter of guest speaker.
Birthdays: Doug Kell
Wedding Anniversaries: Dana Reiter
Door Prizes: Francesca Dresser and Ross Baldree
50/50: won by Cindy Shoppe, who turned it back to our quarterly non-profit recipient of Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry
4th Quarter Happy Dollars: Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.
The following Rotarians gave Happy dollars: Dave Wells, Cindy Shoppe, Ross Baldree and Dom Efter
Rotary Business:
- The Red Cross Blood Drive has enough volunteers through May.
- The vote by all members regarding increasing our annual dues will be done at our May 24th meeting at China Hill.
- May 17th Meeting: Next week’s meeting will be held at the new Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry located at 137 Downeast Highway in Ellsworth. Members are encouraged to bring snacks and food to share. BYO Beverages, no alcohol
Greeters: Are needed. Please help and sign up at our weekly meetings.
Foundation Update: Lincoln reports we have 35 club members who have contributed $10,545
to the RI Annual fund, bringing the member per capita to $199. The club has raised $2043 for Polio Plus and 18 club members have contributed $3200 to the Ukraine Disaster Relief Fund. The rotary Foundation has added the Ukraine funds to our annual column.
Upcoming Service Projects:
- Boggy Brooke 5K for HCTC: May 15 at 9am, details on the link at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/High-School/Hancock-County-Techincal-Center-262431267130875/
- Bike Rodeo: May 21 at EEMS. Our club provides the helmets for the kids, and adults may ride too, if they bring a bike.
- Library Open House: May 11, 4-6pm. Help needed.
- Indian Point Trail Clean-up: June 4 at 9am. Wear boots and gloves.
- Bar harbor Rotary Club: Has asked for help for their annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast starting at 5:30am to 10:30am. They can also use help for their lunch immediately following. They now offer free parking in a lot near the site.
- Community Service Hours and Makeups: Please let Jodie and Marian know if you do any community service or makeups during the week.
- Blood Drive: Held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Max appreciates the volunteers who sign up and help.
- Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry: They are looking for volunteers and need help.
Guest Speaker: Melanie Dresser, Executive Director of Camp CaPella.
Camp Cappella was started in 1960 by the Miller’s Drug Store family of Bangor to serve the disabled and developmentally challenged people and is located on Lake Lucerne in Dedham. Its Mission is to provide quality of life experiences for people with disabilities and their families by providing year-round recreational and educational experiences. In spite of Covid-19, the camp was open last year and is preparing for another grand season this year. Renovations going on include new floors in the lodge, new decking for the dock, a sewer project that includes a new bath house, new bathrooms, and the Alex Hooper Memorial.
Activities at camp include wilderness adventures, hiking, canoeing, campfires, etc.
The camp costs $2600 a week to attend, but much financial assistance is provided through fundraising activities and generous donors. Last year the camp needed $260,000 to run and this year it has climbed to $360,000. Tuition this year is $2,000.
Camp Cappella means the world to those who attend, and some have attended for 42 years!
Ways to support Camp Cappella: volunteer, host a fundraiser, use the camp Clynk bags for returnables, use AmazonSmile when shopping there, sponsor a camper, memorial donations,
you just want to help donations. Camp CaPella, PO Box 552, Holden, ME 04429
Meeting adjourned at 6:42pm.
Respectfully submitted by Rotarian Marian Wells
