Rotary Club of Providence Newsletter July 30, 2023 (Jul 30, 2023)

July 30th Newsletter

Meeting Date: July 25, 2023

Reporter: Lew Hassell

Inspiration

Troylynda Williams shared that every year, libraries across the country create and promote a Summer reading theme. Rhode Island’s reading theme this summer is, “We are the Village”.

This reminded Troylynda that villages are connected to their communities, supporting their vital needs. As a proud Rotarian, she draws inspiration from all the ways the Providence Rotary Club supports our community – most notably, promoting literacy in Providence Elementary schools.

On Zoom

PJ Fox, Mary Brewster and Lew Hassell

Announcements

Upcoming birthdays – Alex David and Lew Hassell

Pete Brock – back from the west coast, he encouraged all of us to volunteer for, and participate in, the planning and preparation of the Legends for Literacy Gala.

Newsletter volunteers – please see Sharon Garland if you would like to volunteer to be on the newsletter team. We need 2 more volunteers.

End of Summer “bash” – Anthony Landi has graciously offered to host an end of Summer party. We need volunteers to help plan and organize.

Visitor – we had a visitor, Anxhela Elezaj, who is hoping to be inducted as a Rotarian on August 8^th.

Happy Bucks

Pete Brock – happy to celebrate his Mom, who passed away a few weeks ago and would have turned 95 today.
Jim Gilcreast – happy for the support from the club for his recovery and patience with his pulmonary condition. He gave for each meeting over the next eight weeks which he will be in rehab. (But, he will make up each meeting.)
Emily Bernstein – happy for a successful completion of her business course and happy to be back at the meetings.
Liz Messier – happy to celebrate her friend Marion Avarista’s birthday (which was omitted from the birthday list) and happy to remind all of us to update our profiles on the Rotary website.
Don Sarascen – happy to celebrate the High School graduation of his grandchildren who graduated with high honors and are excited to head off to college.

Speaker

ete Brock introduced our guest speaker, Erik B. Wallin, Esq. from Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI).

Headquartered in Johnston, OSDRI is a non-profit that has been serving Rhode Island veterans since 1993. They serve approximately 2,000 veterans annually.

The organization was created primarily to provide homeless Rhode Island veterans with a home. OSDRI leaders quickly realized that they need to address the root cause of homelessness and as such have expanded their resources over the years. Examples of additional resources provided by OSDRI include:

Job skill training, including resume writing and outplacement services. OSDRI has partnered with several Rhode Island businesses, one of which is Electric Boat.
Spousal support.
Pro-bono legal assistance.
Guidance navigating health benefits.

Mr. Wallin highlighted the American Veteran Traveling Tribute & The Traveling Wall which is a replica of the Vietnam wall and is coming to Rocky Point Park in early September. This is significant because this commemorates the 50^th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war and the 30^th anniversary of Operation Stand Down Rhode Island.

He also highlighted the Boots on the Ground for Heroes tribute. This was created to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in battle, primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. Boots, along with plaques, are placed to honor fallen soldiers.

The Boots on the Ground for Heroes will be proudly displayed at Gillette Stadium on Veteran’s day.

Memorial Celebration for
Margaret Kane

A hybrid Celebration of Life for Margaret. Will be held at Providence Marriott on Tuesday, August 22. In-person 5-7 p.m. "Program" on Zoom 5:30-6:30 p.m. Please click here for instructions and signing up. Virtual Memorial Gatherings is providing the technical assistance.