Salma Semakula and Hannah Polakoff spoke about the Clover Foundation.

 

 

Selma told us how the Clover Foundation (clover-foundation.org) got started by her four young sons, two of whom were born in Uganda.  In Uganda, they saw poor and neglected children.  When they got to the U.S., they saw people throwing away items that could be used by other people.  Her sons started collecting items to send back to Uganda.  Selma grew this idea into the Clover Foundation and today they also pay for food and medical checkups for Ugandan children. 

          Hannah is a member of the Clover Foundation’s Board of Directors and has volunteered in Uganda.  She told us that Ugandan mothers spend their days in markets trying to earn money to feed their families.  Their children have to stay home alone.  The Clover School, a free pre-school, was started to give 40 children (ages 2 to 6 years old) a place to learn.  In Uganda, children need to pass an entrance exam in order to be admitted to a grammar school.   They need to know English in order to pass this exam.  Children who do not attend preschool have basically no chance of getting into grammar school.  Without an education, they will live their lives in poverty.  The Clover School graduates several children each year but they need to pay tuition to go to grammar school.  Sponsors are needed to pay tuition for these students.

          Selma announced that the Clover Foundation is having a benefit on November 19.  For more information go to clover-foundation.org/the-path-of-compassion-a-benefit-for-you-and-the-clover-children.  The Clover Foundation is just starting to apply for grants with the Concord Rotary Club.

 

Next meeting on November 6 7:15 a.m.–8:30 a.m. at Colonial Candies, Stow Police Officers Ela and Lawson and Chief Bosworth speak about RAD (Rape Aggression Defense).

 

The next Board meeting is on Tuesday, November 4 at 6 p.m. at Richard Simon’s house.  Everyone is welcome to attend!

 

Guests:

  • Gino Fratallone
  • Hannah Polakoff, Clover Foundation
  • Salma Semakula, Clover Foundation

 

Club Announcements:

Local projects:

  • The October 18 Repair Café went well.  Approximately 30 people brought items to repair including 12 lamps.  We did a lot of sharpening.  Chris reported that the volunteers repaired each other’s stuff!   Richard and Bob made a lot of repairs.  Mary made great brownies!
  • Purple Pinkie Day began on October 22 in Lancaster schools and continues in Stow schools on October 23 and in Bolton schools on October 24 in Bolton. Each student is asked to donate $1 on Purple Pinkie Day to help eradicate polio.  One dollar inoculates two children.  Last year our club raised $2,000 and $2,500 is this year’s goal.  The Gates Foundation is matching Rotary donations on two-to-one basis, up to $35 million each year through 2018! Carol Contact Chris for more information.
  • The RFK Children’s Action Corps grant to build a ropes challenge course is proceeding. This is a local district grant.  Contact Mary Ann for more information.
    Veteran’s Day Breakfast with Stow’s Council on Aging at St.Isadore’s Church at 8 a.m.  Laura will be the master of ceremonies for this event and she has lined up Representative Kate Hogan to speak.  We still need volunteers for this event. Contact Jim for more information.
  • Health Insurance Enrollment Fair – November 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Bolton Public Library (563 Main Street, Bolton).  People who attend this fair will receive one-on-one assistance and education about health plans offered by the Massachusetts Health Connector and MassHealth so they can choose the best insurance coverage for their situation.  Plus, attendees may enroll into health plans during the event!  Representatives Kate Hogan and Jennifer Benson will attend this event.  Contact Jim for more information.

 

International projects:

  • We Are One project: The We Are One project is wrapping up.  Richard has 50 boxes of supplies plus dental chairs and other items. He plans to put everything into one container with a very detailed, itemized list to reduce shipping costs.
  • The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Rotaract water project is moving forward.  Contact Richard for more information.

Paul Harris Fellow:
Chris Spear was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.  Congratulations, Chris!

Zones 24 and 32 Institute:
Carol reported on the zone meeting she attended in Canada where governor elects and governor nominees are trained.  Past district governors are also invited to this meeting.  (Our Carol is a PDG!)  Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, spoke at this event.  The quilt Carol helped make with districts in zones 24 and 32 raised $5,250!

 

Rotary announcements:

 

Other Rotary Clubs’ announcements:

  • Moulin Rouge Masquerade Ball – November 1 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Boxborough.  The Rotary Clubs of Acton-Boxborough and Littleton are sponsoring this event.  Money raised at this event goes to local food banks.  Tickets are $55 per person.  Contact Betsy Purcell, President of the Rotary Club of Acton Boxborough, for more information.

 

Happy/Sad Fines:

  • Laura is happy about all the awards our club won last year.  She had the award certificates framed by Star Custom Framing in Stow after she learned about this company at our meet and greet with the Assabet Chamber of Commerce at Emma’s Café in September.  Laura brought the large framed display of our awards to the meeting at the Minuteman Airfield Café where it will hang near the entrance.
  • Carol is proud of our club!
  • Ron is happy that he introduced Rose Pavlov to the Worcester Rotary Club.  He told the Worcester Rotarians that he was under cover to find out how they won the Best Club of District 7910 award for 2013-2014.  Ron is sad that his wife told him that he needs to lose weight.
  • Chris is happy about the Purple Pinkie Day work.
  • Rich is also happy about Purple Pinkie Day.
  • Jim is happy about the great job we are doing with Purple Pinkie Day.
  • Mary is happy that the two hour seminar that her principal asked her to give with less than a week’s notice received perfect ratings from the attendees!
  • Fatima is happy to be part of the club.  She is happy to be helping people around the world.  She is also happy that her fiancé is our club president!
  • Jacky is sad that she missed the Repair Café.  She is happy that her son came home to visit.
  • Natascha is happy that she had something repaired at the Repair Café.
  • Richard is happy and privileged to lead the club.  He is happy that his grandkids visited him.