SRC Rotary
Minutes
April 23, 2026
Members: Laurie, Ray, Peter, Debbie Brown, Phil, James, Robert, Murray, Dick, Pat, Charlie, Andy, Kevin, Mary Alice
Zoom: none
Guest: Francesca LoPorto-Brandow, speaker
Emory and Joan Maddix
Meeting called to order by President Phil Kellerman
NEXT MEETING IS MAY 14TH (NOT MAY 7TH ) BECAUSE OF OUR 2ND AND 4TH THURSDAY SCHEDULE. ANDY WILL BE RUNNING THE MEETING.
Jack Faddegon: Moment of silence for Jack Faddegon who passed away March 10th at age 79. He was a leader in the Shelter Box initiative and also helped out club with the Star of Hope Renovation.
Bowlathon, Phil: April 26th from noon-2pm for our annual bowl-a-thon at the East Greenbush Bowling Lanes to support the Anchor Food Bank. We currently have 16 sponsors and hope to get over 20. We are in need of bowlers. Will be doing a 50/50 at the event. See everyone Sunday! Remember to bring food for donations.
Nassau Food Panty, Pat: They are looking for cereal, spaghetti sauce and Jelly. Contact Pat for more information.
Hoffman’s, April 11-12th, Phil: Per members this was a success! Hoffman’s thank you with a FREE Ultimate Car Wash with donations going to the local food banks.
GOL: Mongolian 3 year old who was treated at Albany Med was flying home today. Thanks to Dean and Doris for being on the board.
Global Grant, Peter: Despite a small setback, the project should be completed mid May. The group is still looking for the final amount to send to Africa That number should be available at the end of next week. Peter and Debbie and an anonymous donor are trying to close the gap. Anyone else interested please contact Peter to donate. The number is currently $1500.
District Grant 25-26, Laurie: Deliveries scheduled for next week and we can begin to complete the final report which will need some signatures before sending in. Thanks everyone and especially Laurie.
Regional Grant 26-27, Laurie, Peter: Looks like time restraints will not allow for a regional grant this year. EGB SD is not needing funds for now. The committee is looking for which other organizations may fit into a larger District Grant. They are looking for additional committee members and will be meeting over the next few weeks. If a District Grant can’t be defined, we may go back to Scholarships. The group is still interested in scholarships even if other fundraising is needed.
Let’s Eat, Troy, Peter: Peter gave an update on the Food Security Initiative put together by Peter Sawyer (spoke to us a few weeks ago). It is a multiyear plan that may allow our club some opportunities to work with the community.
New Member, Phil: Phil has been approached by Joan Bishop and will get her a membership application. Good going Phil.
Speakers: The next speaker is Mike Ashbury of Braver Angels, invited by Peter Brown. Guest may include John Eberle and Peter Sawyer. This year has filled up. Thanks everyone for the great programs. See Calendar for the dates.
Year End Picnic: Debbie and Peter Brown will be hosting once again on June 25th.
Summer event: options for the summer events and field trips. S&S Brewery, Pool fundraiser at Jim Leyhanes, Murray to do cookout, trip to Grant Cottage outside Saratoga.
Presentation: by Francesca LoPorto-Brandow, Founder The Flutter Express
families.
The Flutter Express Service
• What it is — A 56-passenger motor coach bus(with onboard lavatory) providing round-trip service from Albany/Rensselaer, NY to New York City and Boston, running Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• NYC route — Departs Rensselaer at 6:00 a.m., with stops in Albany (6:30 a.m.) and Catskill (7:15 a.m.), arriving at Manhattan’s Upper East Side along York Avenue — directly serving NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell, Hospital for Special Surgery, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Shuttle service extends to additional MSK locations and the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.
• Boston route — Departs Albany at 6:30 a.m., stopping at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Joslin Diabetes Center, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in the Longwood Medical Area.
• Pricing — Healthcare Seeker tickets at a flat $79, Companion tickets at $85, and standard community tickets at $39 — saving $37–$67compared to driving or taking the train.
Onboard Experience & Amenities
• Complimentary Flutter Kits — Adult kits include hand sanitizer, ginger-lemon chews, hydration packets, earplugs, eye mask, face mask, and tissues. Kids’ kits (14 and under) feature an E&D Best Stuffies “Flutter Buddy,” coloring book, organic lollipops, gummies, and more.
• Refreshments & entertainment — One 16oz bottled water each way, a snack service in the morning and afternoon, and a movie or game on the ride home (passengers vote via PollEv).
• Flutter Express Host onboard every trip for support and assistance.
Flutter Club, Inc. (Nonprofit Arm)
• Mission — A 501(c)(3), 100% volunteer-powered nonprofit that eliminates transportation barriers and eases financial burdens for people of all ages navigating critical illness, developmental disabilities, or fertility — plus their caregivers and families.
• Community model — For every 10 community riders on a round trip, Flutter Club donates one free ride for a healthcare traveler plus a companion. Partnerships with organizations like Wicklund Warriors cover rides for blood cancer patients.
• Sponsorship tiers — Range from “Friend of Flutter Club” up to Blue Morpho Diamond Sponsor, with options to sponsor in memory, in honor, or as a corporate partner.
Support & Engagement Opportunities
• Donations via the website (flutterclub.com), GoFundMe, PayPal Giving Fund, and Facebook
• Flutter Shop — Merchandise including ornaments, hats, mugs, apparel for all ages, with proceeds funding rides and care packages
• Amazon Wish List for care package items sent directly to recipients
• Volunteering — Care package crew, events crew, or volunteer companion roles
• Fundraising trips — Groups can plan a trip aboard The Flutter Express while raising funds for Flutter Club
Key Takeaways
• Born from lived experience — Francesca’s personal journey and her family’s extensive healthcare travel across multiple states directly inspired this service, giving it deep authenticity and mission alignment.
• Filling a real gap — The Flutter Express sits between expensive private transport and inconvenient public transit, offering an affordable, purpose-built healthcare travel option with significant cost savings.
• Community-powered sustainability — The model cleverly ties community ridership to free rides for patients, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of support rather than relying solely on donations.
• Comprehensive care beyond transport — Flutter Kits, onboard hosts, entertainment, and the nonprofit’s care packages show a holistic approach to the patient travel experience.
• Growing momentum — Featured in the Times Union (February 2025), with established partnerships, multiple sponsor tiers, and expanding routes to both NYC and Boston.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 