January 17, 2024 Newsletter

  Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary MINUTES :   January 17th, 2024
 
 
We started with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary 4 Way Test - Of the things we think, say or do: Is it the truth, Is it fair to all concerned, Will it build goodwill and better friendships, Is it beneficial to all concerned
 
Set up as a community table for a small group.
 
Thanks to this week’s greeter- Savannah (Student Rotarian) was volunteered to be greeter.First time a student has stepped up.Is here every week.Mona:Amazing.
 
Next week Greeter- Savannah.
 
Welcomed GUESTS Speaker – Susan Avery, Savannah (Student Rotarian),
 
Other guests:John Blake from BS and L. (third visit), John Sciaccia from Brattleboro Subaru, Kelly Corbiel from WTSA, both from Project Feed the Thousands.
 
Project Feed the Thousand check presentation. 30th year.They had a goal of $130,000 raised and 330,000 meals. We are up to over 400,000 meals collected.Also raised well over $130,000 in cash.Big donation from Brattleboro Subaru… Share the Love at Brattleboro Subaru split with Project Feed the Thousands.
 
All money goes to buy food.The need has dramatically increased.3% of people who use it are homeless.97% are people with homes/jobs who are struggling.9 food shelves.
 
Sunrise has been involved for 20 years.Gave a check for $1,000.
 
Next Week Speaker- Person talking about Foraging.
 
Following week:Matt Dunne brought by Jon Secrest.
 
SCRIBE this week – Sandy on Zoom
 
Scribe next week- Tristan Toleno…    Staci covering for him.
 
Service Above Self- Project Feed.
 
Rotary Announcements–
 
Tristem: Club approved $500 donation for Pine Ridge for a building. $300 of which went for a generator. Working on workplace development.
 
Honduras student who got a $1,000 scholarship wrote letter about academic achievements.
 
Reminders:
  1. Board Meeting – Tomorrow January 18th – at Hampton Inn
  2. Trivia Tonight Wednesday January 17th – beneficiary - Connecticut River Conservancy
  3. Retreat Farm Table Build Project – Connected with Director – project delayed for a bit
January 15th- March 15th
 
Mona:  Northfield Clothing Project:  Need 3 people to paint walls, put in/construct shelving units.  A Saturday morning in February.  Exact date to be determined.
 
MJ:  Has the sample books for the kids.  Thanks to Turner for his donation towards this program.
 
Rotary Anniversaries –   None
 
Birthdays $5 –  Mona – January 18th!... she wore the lampshade.
 
Brags: 
 
Dan:  Mom’s 87th birthday.  Daughter turned 31. And his daughter’s Mom.   Fun celebration.
 
Kevin:  Fined people who were not wearing their pin.   Told people to sign Savanah’s sheet.  
 
Cards:   3 Hearts…. In the deck.  
 
Susan Avery -wrote Memoir called Addicted: Our Strength Under The Influence.  About her son’s journey through addition and death.  A native Vermonter.   First time author. 
 
Addition is a disease.  
 
Susan:   Born in Vermont in 46.  Son born in 68.  The family is 4th generation Vermonters.   Grew up on Brook Street, went to Canal Street School.  Dad owned Avery Machine Shop.   
 
In 98, daughter told her she was addicted to heroin.  Son too.  Watching deterioration of their life is crushing.   She raised her grandchildren. 
 
Nar-Anon family group very helpful.  She is facilitator.
 
She had a tote full of AOL conversations with her ex-husband Jim in three ring binders. That was the basis of her book.  She is a survivor who says addition is not a death sentence.  Read chapter 1:  The heroine dragon.  Books are for sale. 
 
Nar-Anon family group.  Every other Monday night.  In Famolare complex by High School for now.  But they are moving locations.