Camilla Bernasconi speaks about the activities of the Nashoba Regional High School Interact Club
 
 
 
Guests:
  • Camilla Bernasconi, Interact Club President
  • Diane O’Neil, Faculty Adviser
  • Mike O’Neil, Interactor
  • Will Chambers, Interactor
  • Kate Page, Interactor
  • Parry Graham, Principal
Announcements:
  • Our club’s Holiday Party is next week, December 17th. Come dressed like it’s 1985 for Thursday Night Fever!
  • UBECI, an organization that benefits the children of Ecuador, is hoping to get onto global giving, a platform for corporate philanthropy. You can help by giving a small donation.
 
Program:
 
The program consisted of various members of the Rotary and Interact clubs speaking about their activities this year.
 
Yvonne (Director of Community Engagement at the RFK Children’s Action Corps): RFK is a program of child welfare, which provides care and education for children to age 18, along with family therapy.  As importantly, they are given life and work skills; because at age 18 these young people leave the center, often with no place to call home. Through a District Grant, our Club has assisted in providing the Center with a Ropes Course, which has taught them trust and self-confidence.
 
Richard (Club Chair of International Service): Many Rotary clubs don’t engage internationally. Our club, only 4 years old, has 3 completed and ongoing international projects. Our current one is malaria eradication in Malawi. Thanks to the RI global grant program, we will able to donate $52,000, which may eventually rise to $60,000.
 
Ron (Club Treasurer): Our club has two major fundraising events, Wings & Wheels, and the Hudson Brewfest. We also raised nearly $2,500 through Purple Pinkie Day, which has been donated to the Rotary Foundation for Polio Plus. Contributions have also gone to Razia’s Ray of Hope, a school and college for girls in Afghanistan; the Bolton Common Project (by sponsoring the Bolton 5k); Guest Table at the First Parish of Stow/Acton (free monthly dinners on Friday nights); Warm Hearts of Stow, End Hunger New England (which packaged food for 14,264 meals); the Dictionary Project (for Lancaster third graders); the Healing Garden for victims of cancer, the After Prom Night at NRHS; and scholarships for NRHS seniors, which will increase to $2,500 this year. Finally, we sponsor students for RYLA, which teaches high school sophomores leadership skills.
 
Jim (Club President): We sponsor the Reality Fair, where sophomores find out about financial reality once they begin their  careers. We also sponsor Stop Hunger Now at NRHS (different from End Hunger New England), in which the Interact Club is very involved; and the Veterans Day breakfast, which also gave Interact Club members a chance to serve our Veterans.
 
Camilla (Interact Club President): Showed a table top display of its projects. Stop Hunger Now is one of its major activities. They also visit Prescott Mills (affordable housing in Clinton) to help residents celebrate various holidays;. And for Purple Pinkie Day, they held a pumpkin painting event, so that not only high school students, but elementary school children could participate. Leftovers were delivered to Prescott Mills.
 
Happy/sad fines:
  • Parry: it’s gratifying to see how many students are now in the Interact Club and contributing to the community.
  • Ron: glad of the success of the Interact Club.
  • Mary: thrilled that Interact is such an an inspiration and contribution to the community.
  • Ray: hopes that Rotary and Interact clubs can meet again in future.
  • Chris: expressed appreciation for all the help we received for the Veterans Day breakfast.
  • Carol: grateful that the future of Rotary is in such good hands.
  • Diane: glad to be involved with such amazing and enthusiastic students.
  • Camilla: also grateful for the Interact Club, going from 0 to 60 members in one year.
  • Mike: thanks for having us.
  • Kate: glad to be involved in fun events to make a happier world.
  • Will:  feels inspired.
  • Bob: enjoying his new granddaughter; and glad of the tree lighting Saturday on Bolton Common.
  • Mary Ann: thrilled that Interactors can be here, with the opportunity to learn and become leaders.
  • Karin: sorry she was late; but glad of all the good will in the room.
  • Nancy: glad to have the new floor installed, in time for the holiday party.
  • Richard: glad there are so many people passionate about service, including the members of Interact; and thankful for the help with Bolton Snow Angels delivering sand to seniors.