Guest Speakers Lesley Robinson and Erica Page of Comfort Cases show off their Rotary Speakers Mugs. They gave a moving talk on Comfort Cases and the need for them for children in the foster care
system.
Opening Ceremonies:
President Tracy Shaffer called the meeting to order and introduced Vice President Laura Pellerano who led our meeting. Larry Fernald shared an invocation and those being thanked for helping to facilitate our meeting tonight were our Sargents at Arms Julie and Tony Bouchard, Greeter Debbie Ehrlenbach and Well Wisher Carl Lusby.
Rotary Business:
Community Service and Project Updates:
Director Clyde Cushing thanked Rotarians for volunteering at the Bike Rodeo held Saturday, May 18 at the Ellsworth Elementary and Middle School. He noted 74 students attended the rodeo and all our helmets have been distributed.
A reminder was mentioned about the Pancake Breakfast Silverware Wrapping Party that will be held June 3 at 6:45 PM at The Eagle’s Lodge Motel. Please let Clyde know if you wish to attend. Desert or wine would be appreciated to help with the refreshments.
Cindy Shoppe and Lincoln advised that there would be an upcoming committee meeting on the August Pancake Breakfast.
Laura Pellerano noted that a meeting will be announced shortly for recent past presidents who have chaired the auction to meet and start reviewing options and improvements on future auctions.
Year End Reports:
Several Year End Director and Officer Reports were presented to the club, with more to come at upcoming meetings.
Deb Ehrlenbach, Vocational and Youth Service Director, recapped the year she and her committee had which was very successful. In addition to holding the popular HCTC evenings and the annual Honors Banquet honoring the top 50 seniors, the committee raised scholarship giving this year, including a new scholarship just for HCTC students. The Interact Club was very active with Pantry volunteerism and received their charter this year and the Literacy Project took root with 14 Rotarians reading during the year, offering over 36 hours of volunteer time. Congratulations to Deb and her team members: Fred Beyer, Gene Pellerano, Peter Farragher and Heidi Omlor.
President Elect and Auction Lead Chair Jo Cooper advised that the auction check presentation to the partner would be June 4 and discussed the upcoming meeting to be led by Laura on future auctions.
Other Updates:
Carl Lusby advised the club of the Povich Scholarship winner, that due to timing, was not announced during our honors banquet.
Jane reminded members of the social next Tuesday at The Lobster Pot scheduled from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Cookout available with a $10 cost. Games and fun! Bring guests!
Carl mentioned that our June 11 Paul Harris Night at China Hill is on schedule and a final committee meeting will be held next Tuesday at The Lobster Pot prior to the cookout.
Program/Speaker:
The club had a meaningful presentation from Comfort Cases which is a national organization that has been active in Maine for 1 year providing age appropriate backpacks for children going into foster care. Lesley Robinson and Erica Page were on had to describe the program and how the extension into Maine occurred and to discuss the needs that the program has in order to meet demand for the Comfort Cases. They noted that there currently are 2400 Maine children in foster care. Ten percent of those children are here in the Ellsworth area. Each pack costs about $45 to assemble and provide to area agencies and law enforcement. Club members received a handout of local items needed to pack the cases as well as contact information for Lesley. More information is available on their website, Comfortcases.org that notes that since the organization started in 2013, it has donated over 44,000 cases across the nation.
Respectfully submitted by Tracy Shaffer
