Natick Rotary Sprocket 11/10/15
The meeting was called to order by Trish Kelly. Sargent at Arms, Sharon Sharp led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Verna played "Side by Side". Dr. Keefe gave the invocation, reminding us of Veteran’s Day and the sacrifice our brave and honorable veterans made on our behalf.
Guests: Paul Carew – Veteran’s Services Officer; Andrea Geller, Natick High Social Worker; Bryant Walls, Wilson Middle School Social Worker, and Melissa McDonald, Kennedy Social Worker.
Speakers:
Andrea Geller, Bryant Walls and Melissa McDonald spoke about Rotary’s Make a Difference program and the impact it has on their students. They gave several heartwarming examples of how the program financially supports kids who, otherwise, could not participate or pursue their interests or passions. The program funded a wide range of student after school enrichment programs, including sports, the arts, bikes, camperships, driver’s education, prescription eye glasses, gymnastic lessons, voice lessons, a bicycle for a Travel Lodge student, laptop fees, the Hugh O’Brian leadership program, student yearbooks, and more. They were especially grateful for Rotary’s ongoing support (MAD has supported kids for over 11 years).
Rachel – introduced speaker Paul Carew, Natick Veterans Services Officer
Paul Carew, Natick’s Veteran’s Services Office (VSO), also spoke on behalf of our Veteran’s and the services his program provides, which was very timely, considering Veteran’s Day was the following day. He spoke about Chapter 115 funding (from state) and how it reimburses the town (up to 75%) in support of 89 Natick veterans who need support. In total, Paul has appointed 1.5 million in awards to veterans and their families. All VSO’s in the state must be certified or risk losing state aid. Mr. Carew also spoke about how he helps returning vets who have difficulty assimilating back home and finding employment. He mentioned every town or “district” has a VSO office to take care of vets, ever since the Civil war.
Mr. Carew mentioned that Natick has the second highest “per capita” (in the country) number of service men killed in action. In Natick, Mr. Carew has dedicated squares to the 11 remaining Natick residents who were KIA Mr. Carew was proud to announce that a town square has been dedicated to all Natick vets KIA. In total, there are 35 squares dedicated to our Natick veterans. Mr. Carew mentioned Mutual One’s support and Rachel Stewart, with whom he has developed a great friendship in support of our vets. The Natick VSO office also works closely with Linda Stetson at the Morse Institute Library on the Oral History Project, a program run by Maureen Sullivan that has produced over 300 Interviews of Natick veterans, including our own Dr. Joe Keefe! The program was initiated and was proposed by Eugene Dugdale, Pearl Harbor veteran and Natick resident.
Announcements:
· Peter G – Open Door is 2nd Thursday (date?) in December
· Steve B – Natick Center Associates is sponsoring a Market Area Planning Council and a meeting is scheduled at NCA on 12/8. All are invited.
· Vinny – Signup sheet for 5 minute “Rotarian Stories” to help us learn more about each other
· Trish – Rotary District is packaging meals for the hungry on 11/14, 1-4pm at Solomon Pond Mall
· Guest Speaker next week is Marie Stone, Acupuncture
· Rotary Board will vote on Grant Applications, after next week’s (11/17) meeting
· Angela reminded us of Thanksgiving Meal deliveries out of Natick Service Council (2 Webster St.) on Tuesday, November 24th (11am) – right after morning Rotary meeting (10am) with Natick High Football
Happy Dollars: Due to time constraints, there were a lot of happy people, but no Happy Dollars this week.
Respectfully submitted by,
Greg Tutuny
