One aspect of Rotary that makes it so unique is the annual change in leadership. It seems like we’ve only just arrived…….and it’s already time to leave.
This has been an amazing year making a difference and now it’s time to be the inspiration. With Steve Sager leading our 50 clubs, the result will be nothing short of brilliance, excellence and success!
Our clubs and members are proud of the many ways we serve our communities and the world. We have planted seeds, both literally and figuratively. We contributed to hurricane relief, sending $50,000 to citizens in Puerto Rico who were devastated by the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. We are working on an incoming global grant for addiction prevention. We awarded (2) $35,000 scholarships for 2 students to study post graduate overseas in one of the 6 areas of focus. We have just sent a police officer from Worcester to Thailand for the summer to study peace and conflict resolution.
This year’s emphasis has been on service. Rotarians donated thousands upon thousands of volunteer hours this year and raised thousands and thousands of dollars for our local projects. The Power of Rotary is solidly rooted in our clubs. I am in awe of the diligence and hard work of so many Rotarians from our district.
Posted by Teresa Schmedding and Arnold Grahl - Photos by Alyce Henson
Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada, was presented with Rotary’s Polio Eradication Champion Award in recognition of Canada’s contributions to polio eradication. Trudeau accepted the award at the Rotary International Convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
“Let there be no doubt we are winning the battle against polio,” Trudeau said. “I want my children to grow up in a world without polio. Together I know we will make that happen.”
Canada has been a strong contributor to polio eradication efforts for decades. In 2017, Canada pledged US$75 million to help eradicate polio, bringing its total contributions to roughly $640 million.
“Prime Minister Trudeau has committed Canada to remain a strong partner until polio is completely eradicated,” said RI President Ian H.S. Riseley. “With the unwavering support of the Prime Minister and the Canadian government and their strong assistance with continued vaccination efforts, I’m confident we will rid the world of polio.”
RYLA 2018 was a fantastic success on June 21-24th at Fitchburg University. There were 201 RYLAns, 36 Group and Program Facilitators and close to 100 volunteers. 650 people attended the RYLA closing ceremony.
As one parent from Littleton told us about her son's experience:
"I just wanted to let you know what a great time he had. He’s a great kid, and this was an experience very different from what he’s ever had. All signs show that he really very genuinely seemed to have loved it.
He spent a long time last night talking about the whole event with us - his group, the leadership, the exercises, the food, the sleeping arrangements, the college campus, the whole thing... I’m thankful he had the opportunity and I thought I’d share his enthusiasm with you. Thank you and all the best."
The Rotary Club of Framingham’s annual installation of officers and directors, held at the Framingham Country Club on June 21, was highlighted by the presentation of its Citizen of the Year Award to Edgar Kalinda , a senior at Framingham State University, who offered his kidney to his high school mentor, ailing club co-president Tom Sturiale. (Tom eventually received a kidney from another donor).
The club’s Organization of the Year Award went to the MetroWest YMCA, represented by YMCA CEO Rick Macpherson, receiving the award from club co-president Dick Manelis. The Rotarian of the Year Award went to Bob Schecter, receiving the honor from club co-president Tom Sturiale. Newly installed District 7910 Governor Steve Sager attended the dinner, along with past District Governors Tom Polito and Carl Kaliszewski.
The Sturbridge Rotary Club has been awarding scholarships each year to local students for the past 45 years. The first scholarship was for $500 and the amount awarded has steadily increased over the years. This year Sturbridge Rotary has chosen to award scholarships of $1,000 each to six students from Tantasqua Regional High School. Cumulatively, we are proud to have awarded over $200,000 in local scholarships.
Of the 47 applications reviewed this year, the scholarship committee chose the following students based upon the Club’s criteria of personal and scholastic achievement, participation in school activities including sports as well as community participation through work and volunteering.
The Rotary Club of Southborough decided to do something new for the club and the town of Southborough. They organized the first ever “Food Truck Wednesdays” event and held it on the lawn of St. Marks school, central to Southborough downtown.
This fun mini-event ran on four consecutive Wednesdays, from 3-7 pm, mid-May to mid-June on 5/23, 5/30, 6/6, and 6/13. The weather held for all 4 evenings and the event proved to be a big hit with families looking for a mid-week break and some fun & easy chow. More than 250 people attended every Wednesday. And over $1000 was donated to the club by the food truck vendors in appreciation for a great event.
Participating Food Trucks included: The Dogfather, Streat Food Rx, Say Cheese! ,Grub Guru, Anzio's Brick Oven Pizza, Pangea Cuisine, Teddy's Lunchbox, Travelin' Bones, Trombetta's Farm Ice Cream. CLICK HERE to see fun look back video of the event!
2017-18 Club President David Vachris pitched the idea to club members in early March 2018 and it quickly came together as enthusiasm built.
We are pleased to invite all Rotarians to attend the “Make a Difference” awards celebration on Thursday July 19th at the Sheraton Framingham. The awards celebration is a fun opportunity to mingle with Rotary friends, recognize winners and applaud our District 7910 community.
Doors open at 6:15pm and the awards program begins at 7pm. Enjoy an appetizer and dessert reception including cash bar while mixing and mingling - cost is $20/person.
Honors and recognitions for this year’s celebration will include many prestigious awards plus a few “special surprises”:
We look forward to a fun evening recognizing those individuals and clubs who have made outstanding contributions in the 2017-2018 Rotary year. Thanks to all for Making a Difference!
Join Rotary District 7910 on August 24th at the Lowell Spinners for their "End Polio Now" Campaign
Purchase Box Seats using promo code ROTARY at Lowellspinners.com/Tickets
The Lowell Spinners, short-season single A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, look forward to having Rotary District 7910 for a night at the ballpark to help raise awareness and funds for their “End Polio Now” campaign. Tickets are just $12 and proceeds raised by the Rotary will be donated to “End Polio Now” to help eradicate polio and immunize over 2.5 Billion Children in 122 countries. Don’t forget to wear purple on August 24th to help raise awareness as well!
Rotarians are asked to purchase tickets between Box sections 107 and 110 to be seated as a group! The night includes various Spinnertainment such as game show theme night, and a helicopter cash drop following the game. Check out the Flier
Wings and Wheels, held every Thursday June through August from 5-8pm at the Minute Man Air Field in Stow, has been a popular way to spend a relaxing, family-friendly evening for the past several years.Much about the event remains the same for 2018. The classic and specialty cars will still be there. Different categories of small planes will fly in each week. And the well-loved choices of pizza, beer and wine from Nancy’s Air Field Cafe, and burgers, hot dogs, and fresh squeezed lemonade provided by service club volunteers will still be available. And as always, donations and sponsorship will support charitable projects.
But for the first time, Wings and Wheels stretches across service organizations to become a collaboration between the Rotary Clubs of Acton-Boxborough and Westford and the Lions Club of Stow.
One aspect of Rotary that makes it so unique is the annual change in leadership. It seems like we’ve only just arrived…….and it’s already time to leave.
RYLA 2018 was a fantastic success on June 21-24th at Fitchburg University. There were 201 RYLAns, 36 Group and Program Facilitators and close to 100 volunteers. 650 people attended the RYLA closing ceremony..jpg)
very genuinely seemed to have loved it. 
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Join Rotary District 7910 on August 24th at the Lowell Spinners for their "End Polio Now" Campaign
Wings and Wheels, held every .jpg)
Wheels stretches across service organizations to become a collaboration between the Rotary Clubs of Acton-Boxborough and Westford and the Lions Club of Stow.