Ann Trudeau and John Dow
Posted by Leigh Ann Crimmings
Rotary Club of Concord
February 19, 2015
President: Sheila Watts
Song: Suzanne Greenough
Pledge of Allegiance Sally Faccenda
Prayer Reverend Dr. John Lombard
Sergeant at Arms Dave Robertson
Bulletin Writer Leigh Ann Crimmings
Visiting Rotarians & Guests:
Robert Fallon of Newbury Court, guest of Chris Santos
Question of the Week:
Hillary Taylor asked "What is the market price of silver today?"
Ann Trudeau got the correct answer of $17 (but then admitted that she overheard Hillary say it and paid a double fine)! The question was asked of all tables today as it was a light crowd due to all of the snow.
Happy or Sad Fines:
Sheila Watts – Paid a happy fine for a successful Rotary / Lions mixer.
Andrea Zall – Paid a happy to be back fine because this was her first meeting since November.
Sharon Spaulding – Paid a happy fine for the New York / New Jersey Department of Transportation's assistance in Massachusetts with snow removal.
Announcements:
On February 28, we will be hosting the Minuteman Arc Special Olympics at 130 Baker Ave.
Immediate Past District Governor, Doug Detweiler shared a Rotary Moment:
"Rotarians from 40 clubs in Belgium collaborated with clubs in West Africa to bring clean water to 20,000 residents in Niger. With a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant, they drilled wells and built toilets for seven schools and three health clinics. That's your $100 at work. Every Rotarian Every Year."
Program:
Our featured speakers this week consisted of our own John Dow who spoke about the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen, and Anne Trudeau who spoke about The Sharing Foundation.
John Dow has been supporting the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen and Homeless Shelter where 70 to 110 people are served by Rotarians every other month. The Bristol Lodge is run by the Middlesex Human Services Center through contributions of monetary donations. John was introduced to Bristol Lodge by Cato prior to him becoming a Rotarian which lead to Dick Hale chasing John down with a Rotary application – and the rest is history!
John brought up the poor condition of the stove top at the Bristol Lodge kitchen which got others thinking about how we could further help by raising money to replace the stovetop. A cookbook sale consisting of recipes that have been prepared for Bristol Lodge made from Henry Dane and John's culinary collections was suggested. John also wanted to specifically thank June Grace for always asking for food donations and always running to the store for last minute items!
Ann Trudeau spoke about The Sharing Foundation of which she is currently president.
The mission of the Sharing Foundation is to meet the physical, emotional, educational and medical needs of orphaned and seriously disadvantaged children in Cambodia. Cambodia is a country riddled in poverty. The annihilation of millions of people by the Khmer Rouge regime left the country with a population with little to no education.
The Rotary Club of Concord is funding a Music Program through the proceeds of the upcoming Pops concert this spring. Children in Cambodia will be provided with traditional percussion instruments such as the Roeat Ek and the Kohg Thom and string instruments such as the Skor Samphor.
In addition to the current Music Program, the Sharing Foundation has brought immunizations to Cambodia, recently including the HPV immunization for Cambodian girls. The foundation has also sponsored farm projects, sewing projects and the building of a school that is educating 500 kids. The Sharing Foundation sends $300,000 per year to Cambodia to support the housing, feeding and education needs of 72 children living in an orphanage.
Ann shared a story of a 6 year old girl who loves to dance and leads the dancing group in the orphanage. This girl was rescued from her crazy mother who was feeding her maggots and living in the dumpster as an infant. She spoke of the political difficulties of removing children from dangerous situations. Once the children are under the care of the orphanage, they have the chance to develop skills that will improve their lives.
Reverend John Lombard also shared his experience in Cambodia working with The Sharing Foundation. He was there teaching critical thinking at the University. From there he taught at an English teaching program where the kids were not allowed to speak their native tongue of Khmer and instead had to speak English.
Ann and John L. were both introduced to The Sharing Foundation by Dr. Nancy Hendrie.