It’s that time of year, when SRC joins with Circles of Mercy to make a lot of needy youngsters in the area happy. It’s the annual Easter basket drive for kids ages 1 to 12.
Circles, a frequent public service partner with SRC, is an outreach center for poor and low-income families that is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community. In 2002, Mercy Associates started for Circles what has become a yearly tradition, of providing Easter Baskets to children of our client families. This holiday program is known as “Easter Baskets for Cate’s Kids,” referring to the founder of Circles.
First up, we need someone to step up as coordinator/s of our effort. What that entails is:
(a) lining up a work partner — the Greenbush YMCA has been suggested since SRC member Shannon Romanowski is executive director there, and fellow member Len Leonidas at Community Care Physicians has been a frequent help through his Cub Scouts kids;
(b) purchasing a sufficient number of baskets, artificial grass, clear wrappings, etc. (the club will reimburse for expenditures) and delivering them to the work partners;
(c) being sure all assembled, clear-wrapped baskets are delivered to Circles of Mercy no later than Monday, April 15.
We strongly urge one or two of our members to step up to handle this short-term initiative, an excellent way to get your feet wet in community service for a grateful clientele. All who are interested are asked to contact President Andy Leyhane ASAP.
Meanwhile, here is the shopping list to distribute to our club and to our work partners:
- traditional Easter candies
- coloring books
- crayons
- color pencils
- facial tissues
- toothpaste and tooth brushes
- dental floss
- combs and brushes
- age appropriate (1-12 years) small stuffed animals, toys
- reading books
Last year, more than 150 requests for Easter baskets was met, and the same number or larger are expected for this year. The April 15 dropoff deadline was established to be sure the volunteer staff at Circles has time to get the baskets to their client families in time for the April 21 Easter holiday.
Our annual “Rotary Home Cooking” series, a member-hosted set of dinners/social events, is ready to roll out from March through June. And, we have our first two events already spoken for.
In its inaugural year it was called “Rotary’s Got Talent.” That name didn’t lie, with entertainment ranged from dancing gymnasts to bowling ball freaks to a spoken rendition of iconic rocker Meatloaf’s “Paradise By the Dashboard Light,” and the event was a great night out with friends.
Our monthly Third Thursday Breakfast meetings have been put on hiatus until further notice. Dwindling attendance is the culprit, but the Board will revisit the effort if we get enough requests from members.
Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
MEETING NOTES: It was announced that the Board has authorized two financial grants — $500 to the Colonie-Guilderland Club’s Global Grant initiative to support a clean water project in Haiti; and, $2,500 in seed money for our SRC Rotary 5K/10K Trail Run event to be held in October. … For the Run, lead organizer Jim Leyhane reported he is trying to contact Tom Curran, mayor of the village of Chatham, to discuss participation. Earlier, Jim had reported that the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham is the leading prospect to host the event. …
We’re looking for people interested in hosting events in our annual Rotary Home Cooking series of social fundraisers. If you’d like to reserve a date and/or get more information on how the series works, contact Andy Leyhane or Bill Dowd … Today is the final day to submit sponsorships ($100) to Jim Leyhane for our 3rd annual Community Recognition Awards dinner to be held on Tuesday, March 5, at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant. Tickets are $35. Among the honorees will be Murray Forth as the “breakout Rotarian” for his efforts remodeling our meeting room at Quigleys. Most recently, he replaced all the ceiling tiles, removed the ceiling fans, and wired a microphone. …
Phil Kellerman is putting together a live music evening as a fundraiser at our May 9 dinner meeting. Proceeds will go to the Oley Foundation. Save the date, and stay tuned for details and updates from Phil. … As announced last week, our Danes Rotaract group will hold a social fundraiser — a happy hour at Wolff’s Biergarten on Broadway in Albany — from 7 to 9 p.m. this coming Monday; $1 from the purchase of each non-alcoholic or alcoholic drink will go to the Freedom From Fistula Foundation. … We’re still waiting for information on what next Thursday’s program will be.
MEETING NOTES: Jim Leyhane reported on changes in planning for the SRC Rotary 5K/10K Trail Run. It had been scheduled for Schodack Island State Park, but park administration recently rescinded permission because of the projected large size of the event and suggested other venues. We have considered Grafton Lakes State Park, RPI Tech Park, Taconic State Park, John Boyd Thatcher State Park, and the Columbia County Fair Grounds in Chatham. The Chatham venue appears to be the best bet now, and the date would be changed from October 19 to Saturday, October 12, on the Columbus Day Weekend. … Terry Brewer reported on plans for our 3rd annual Community Recognition Awards dinner. It will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant. Tickets are $35. After expenses, proceeds will go to the club treasury to support scholarships and youth services. We hope to raise $4,000 through ticket sales and event sponsorships at $100 each. Anyone wishing to donate a business, organization, or individual sponsorship should contact Terry or Murray Forth no later than Friday, February 15. …
… Attendees voted to cover RI payments for members of our Danes Rotaract club. Debbie Rodriguez reported that the students have two activities coming up. They will be hosting their first “Happy Hour” of the spring semester from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, February 18, at Wolff’s Biergarten on Broadway in Albany. As always, $1 from every drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) purchased will be donated to the Freedom From Fistula Foundation. Then, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, February 23, they will be volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Albany, making baked goods for the house residents. They are looking for Rotary volunteers but are limited to four slots, so Rotaractors will be given first preference. Signup can be done by 
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 