MV Rotary Serves Up A Meal For Those In Need

The Merrimack Valley Rotary served a meal on Friday November 21 at the Transitional Living Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. The mission of the Center is a community supported, non-profit organization, provides a safe, temporary shelter for homeless men and women of Greater Lowell. In a multi-services focused environment, volunteers and staff provide opportunities for individuals to end their homelessness.
During these difficult economic times the needs in centers such as this one are on the rise, and it was reward and an honor for the members of the Club to be there to help the Center and its clients.
On the Center's web site is the following statement: "We believe that a consistent, focused, client driven approach towards addressing the tragedy of homelessness is the best and most effective method towards ending these crises. There is hope. There is help. Here, at the Lowell Transitional Living Center, we focus all our efforts in facilitating a positive change in people’s lives. At LTLC we end homelessness. . . .one person at a time."

MV Rotary Hosts Its 4th And Largest Antiques Appraisal Fundraiser!

The MV Rotary held its fourth successful Antique Appraisal Night on Wednesday, November 19 at the First Parish Church in Westford. The event was again hosted by Skinners Stuart Whitehurst of the famed Antiques Roadshow on PBS. Funds raised by the event will be given to the Rotary Foundation as part matching grant challenge presented by the Bill Gates Foundation.

One of the highlights of the night was a document signed by John Hancock, which Stuart said was worth $3000-$5000. Other items were painting, swords, rifles, books, clocks, and an array of other items. This event proven to attract the largest audience yet to any of shows in this series. The Club plans another event in the spring 09. For more information on this and future such events, write to mvrotary@gmail.com

MV Rotary's Second Annual Apple Pie Contest Has A Winner!

Merrimack Valley Rotarian Debi Farnsworth was the winner of this year's Apple Pie Contest. Debi baked an apple pie which had a secret ingredient......caramel! Everyone wants to go over to Debi's house for the holidays and taste the rest of her cooking! Congratulations Debi!

MV Rotary Learns About Interact From The Voice Of Experience

Dracut Rotary Club member Frank Atifonario spoke to the Merrimack Valley Rotary on his experiences with Interact. Frank, who has started and managed a number of Interact groups in his area, told the group that if you want to start a group you need to go right to the principal of the school and get his or her support. Then, you need to decided where the meetings are going to be held and how often.

Elect A Chair That Can Relate

The Club should elect a Chairperson for the project, Frank said. That person should be the individual who can best relate to the youth. This individual will be there to supervise but not dictate.

Challenges

He explained that some of the challenges of starting such a group are: students have very many things going on; every four years the member rotates and the members need to be kept active with projects and activities.

Accomplishments

Some of the accomplishments of the Dracut Interact group were fundraisers (yard sales, raffles, car washes; nursing home visits; help building a bridge in Honduras, sending books oversees; attending district conferences; selling meatball subs at the Rotary Trade Show; and creating a Memorial Day Float. Other events included raking leaves at people's home, tutoring in grammar school, candy bar sales, working on the Habitat for Humanity, Carolling for Project Santa, Carnation sales on St Pats Day and Rose sales on Valentine's Day.

Learn More!

Frank said that if you wanted to learn more, that you should get in touch with the District Chair: Douglas Lard, Weston Rotary Club, at dougleard@relatour4u.com

Food Servers Needed!

The Merrimack Valley Rotary Club will be serving dinner at the Lowell Transitional Living Center (http://www.ltlc.org/) on Friday, November 21st at 5:30 pm! Since 1986, the LTLC has been providing supportive services for homeless men and women from the Greater Lowell Area. Join us this evening, as we help the kitchen staff serve a meal to those in need. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact me at baystatevalue@aol.com or sign up under the 'comments' section under this blog! Thanks!!

MERRIMACK VALLEY ROTARY HOLDS ANTIQUES SHOW TO ERADICATE POLIO

In an effort to help eradicate polio throughout the world the Merrimack Valley Rotary Club is holding a fundraiser featuring Stuart Whitehurst, host of the famed Antiques Roadshow. The proceeds from the event will go towards helping Rotary meet a challenge presented by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to match a $100 million contribution the Gates Foundation gave to Rotary International.

The Antiques Appraisal night will be held on November 19, from 7–9 PM at the First Parish Church United, 48 Main Street, Westford, Ma.

Whitehurst joined Skinner in 1995 and has been a favorite on the Antiques Roadshow for years as well as being an auctioneer for Skinner.

The price of general admission into the show is $7 (two for $10). If someone wants one item appraised, the price for admission is $20. Appraisals are limited and must be registered prior to the show by calling (978) 446-9366 or by writing MVRotary@gmail.com. Items cannot be coins, stamps, jewelry or musical instruments.