SRC Third Thursday Breakfast Meeting
Greenbush YMCA
20 Community Way, East Greenbush

Members Attending (6, no quorum): Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, Jim Leyhane, Shannon Romanowski, Terry Brewer, Marty Mahar.

Guests (2): Jaime Gibbs and Carol Willis of Bell Top Elementary School, plus Auggie.

• President Andy Leyhane opened the meeting with welcoming comments and the Pledge of Allegiance. He reviewed various Rotary events, our ShelterBox donation drive, Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) scheduled for this Saturday, and our Recycling Day scheduled for Saturday, November 3.

• SRC member and Greenbush YMCA Director Shannon Romanowski announced a Thanksgiving food drive by the Y, and the club will partner in the effort. Shannon will provide details to Andy for distribution throughout the club.

• SRC member Marty Mahar, principal of Bell Top Elementary School, introduced two of his teachers, Jaime Gibbs and Carol Willis. They handle the training and care of Auggie, the school’s therapy dog who they brought along to meet the Rotarians. They described Auggie’s training process, and how he is being introduced to students and staff. They also shared anecdotes about Auggie’s interaction with kids.

A program called “Letters to Auggie” has been introduced in the school that allows students to write to Auggie about their feelings. Auggie “responds” to the letters regarding student anxiety, stress, and apprehensions. The writing process is very therapeutic for everyone.

The Bell Top staffers also presented the SRC Rotary Club with certificates of appreciation for financially supporting Auggie at Bell Top.

• The next Third Thursday breakfast meeting will be held at 7 a.m. on November 15 at the Greenbush YMCA.