Last Thursday we welcomed Dr. Roger Fagan, of the Portland Rotary Club. Dr. Fagan told us about “Hearts for Hearing,” a  Portland Rotary Club International Project in the Dominican Republic. The project addresses hearing loss for the sugar cane workers and their families surrounding the fauva (town) of La Romana. Hearing loss is extremely common in this population due to accidents, illnesses with untreated high fevers and a suspected genetic component. There were very limited medical resources when Dr. Fagan, his wife and members of the Portland Rotary Club first started this project. They bring all needed supplies and also hearing aid components so they can perform assessments and build hearing devices on the ground. Dr. Fagan showed wonderful slides from the project. We all were moved by the faces filled with joy and amazement when a patient’s  hearing aid was turned on and they could hear the voice of their spouse or parent for the first time. The Portland Rotary Club has received several Rotary Foundation International Grants for this long term project. They are currently working on a grant that will assure sustainability of this project by setting up a clinic in the new local hospital. The grant will also train local technicians to do hearing assessments and hearing aid placement.

Rotary Foundation International Grants provide capital so that Rotarians can work together all over the world. In the year 2022 to 2023 The Rotary Foundation awarded over $100 million dollars in District, International and Disaster Relief Grants. Our  “Food Pantry Soup Project'' was part of a District Grant we applied for and received. Our yearly donations to the Rotary Foundation makes this work possible. But, we need more donations by the end of June. You can donate online at the Rotary Foundation website or just leave a check in the Rotary Foundation box on the desk for our Foundation Chair, Judith White to pick up. Our donations are matched up to $100 by our club (Barn Sales at work).  

This week we welcome David Patch. David was Commander of the American Legion Post 36 in Boothbay for many years. He is a wonderful speaker and comes with a lot of passion for our veterans and the drive to find ways to improve their lives. David is not a Rotarian, although we have tried, but he embodies our motto of “Service Above Self.” This week he will be talking about “Maine Veterans in Need.” This program assists veterans who may need housing, food, heat, car payments, phones or other necessities of daily life. The service is available 24/7 and is often provided on weekends and holidays when other agencies are closed.  

We will also vote on our new slate of officers for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025. (Or at least I hope we remember). There are some new faces and some familiar ones. Come and vote and support the members of your new board of directors, presidents, incoming president, our amazing treasurers and secretaries.

We'll also make final plans for our Windjammer Parade Float.  

The Rotary Barn is open every Saturday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. We are accepting donations of gently used furniture, household goods, art, boats, well just about anything. Just text Deb at 207-380-3550 for pick up or drop off plans.  

If you're interested in the fun and work of Rotary, join us any Thursday at 6 p.m. for a dinner meeting.  You'll be glad you did.