At the District Foundation Dinner, The Rotary Club of Bedford was represented by Al Rosco, Diane Ryan, Ralph Hammond, Paula Gilarde, Jim Harrill, Sze-Wen Kuo, and Victor Tom. There were 160 attendees for this event, a much larger attendance than in recent years. Among the speakers were DG Joyce Graff, Celeste Herbert (The Rotary Foundation Regional Major Gifts Officer), Bill Gates (virtually), and Chelsea Minkler (Gates Foundation). Bedford’s multi-club multi-district Hope for the Hungry meal-packing program was mentioned early on, and the Bedford Rotarians were recognized for being Paul Harris Fellows and Major Donors.At the District Foundation Dinner, The Rotary Club of Bedford was represented by Al Rosco, Diane Ryan, Ralph Hammond, Paula Gilarde, Jim Harrill, Sze-Wen Kuo, and Victor Tom. There were 160 attendees for this event, a much larger attendance than in recent years. Among the speakers were DG Joyce Graff, Celeste Herbert (The Rotary Foundation Regional Major Gifts Officer), Bill Gates (virtually), and Chelsea Minkler (Gates Foundation). Bedford’s multi-club multi-district Hope for the Hungry meal-packing program was mentioned early on, and the Bedford Rotarians were recognized for being Paul Harris Fellows and Major Donors.
Rotary Club of Bedford’s Global Grant proposal (GG2458065 Rainwater Catchment Tanks for Schools in Kambiri, Kenya) continues to make major progress recently. In the last two weeks: 1) the District 9212 leadership has approved the project; 2) District Rotary Foundation Chair Protus Lumiti authorized the GG application; 3) GG2458065 was submitted to The Rotary Foundation for review; 4) The Rotary Foundation has rapidly reviewed the proposal and sent the GG team a list of clarification questions; and the Kenya GG team (representatives of RC Maseno, RC Kakamega, Maseno University Rotaract Club and Friendly Waters for the World met in Kambiri to see first-hand examples of a recently constructed water tank, an interlocking brink wall and manufactured soap.
On November 18 the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life hosted Bedford Rotarians at a private screening of Defining Moments: The Leadership of Quiet Revolutionary Frances Hesselbein. The film chronicles the life of Hesselbein, former CEO of Girl Scouts USA and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and her remarkable career of public service. Rotarian Diane Ryan moderated a Q&A with producer Sarah McArthur following the film. To learn more about Frances Hesselbein’s inspiring legacy visit https://www.hesselbeinforum.pitt.edu/about-us/memory-frances-hesselbein
It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!Please help us with staffing volunteers for Winter Community Breakfast happening on December 8 at Bedford High School.
As in years past this is an ALL-HANDS event with much help needed both for set-up, execution and clean up. Here is the INTERNAL sign-up link for Club members and their immediate family members (e.g. spouses).
And here is the EXTERNAL sign-up link for student and community volunteers. If you have neighbors, friends or acquaintances interested in helping and/or receiving community service hours, please share this link with them.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN UP BY NOVEMBER 27.
The generosity of the Bedford community highlighted the Rotary Club of Bedford’s “Election Collection” during voting Tuesday. Donations of an estimated $2,000 worth of personal care items were collected for the Middlesex Community College food pantries in Bedford and Lowell. It was the club’s third election-day collection in support of MCC.
On Saturday, October 26th, Habitat for Humanity had a Women's Build Day at their latest project in Westford. Lita Verrier, Sze-Wen Kuo and Judi Babcock participated in this build project on behalf of the club. Other women who participated were from Reeds Ferry and other organizations. The building is a 200-year-old barn that is being converted to a single-family home. It is in its early stages so a lot of work needed to be done on the foundation which consists of rocks. The ceiling is being held up by temporary tee-pee like wood beams which will be replaced by lally columns made of steel. Some of the women were tasked with welding lally columns to metal plates in anticipation of removing the temporary structures. Lita, Sze-Wen and Judi were on the "concrete team" and tasked with first cleaning the stone foundation and pulling out loose rocks and then concrete had to be mixed to the correct consistency in small batches so it would not dry to fast. Spatulas were used to fill in cracks and holes. The last step for day was adding a slurry mix by large paint brush. Slurry is a watered-down version of concrete more like the consistency of paint. The women were provided pink hard hats, respirator masks and gloves. It was a very fulfilling day of actually participating in the building of this home.
The Bedford Rotary was thrilled to participate in the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Trunk or Treat on October 25th. Rotarians dressed in festive December Holiday attire handed out candy and toys while promoting the upcoming Rotary Foundation Winter Breakfast Fundraiser be held on Sunday December 8. Even Santa dropped by on his way up to the North Pole to hand out candy canes to all the little witches, wizards, and a couple hundred other creepy and not-so-creepy characters! .png)
Bedford, MA 01730
United States of America