Adam O - led for Mitch Ruffalo who was not feeling well.
Jean Bendix gave us words of inspiration
Guests: Tim Williams, Honeoye Lake Rotary - brought Tina, exchange student from Uganda. Laci Graham from Laura House
Wellness Report –
- Tim and Ann Johnson - should be in the new house as of 12/12 — they send their greetings
Announcements:
- Tonya Taylor from Newark Public Library - Friends of the Library are hosting a silent auction
- Holly Kreuser - Ugly Sweater contest on 12/22
- Update on Malwina - she hasn’t been able to be with us at Rotary, she has a class called Gourmet Foods, which is a conflict with Rotary. She is going to NYC this weekend with Rotary Exchange students.
- Dave Doebler — Salvation Army update: 2021 we collected $1200, this year with some extra donations we have $1350. Great job
- Linda Werts - please sign up to participate in the Salute the Newark Community Hospital.
- Adam O’s band played at the bowling alley - did a great job
- Steve Hallagan - is happy that Steve Mooney has the Santa up on East Avenue, along with the Salisbury’s having their blue lights up for Christmas
- Michele McManus’ daughter-in-law has completed her PhD
- Taylor’s are leaving for Florida for the winter
- Chrissy Kent - her daughter, Natalie, has been accepted at Vanderbilt on a D-1 bowling scholarship
- Jorge - took his children to the Giants game!
Queen of Hearts
Adam O did not draw the Queen — the pot is continuing to grow
Program: Evie Taylor introduced Laurie DeJong, CEO LDJ Productions and the Paper Fig Foundation
- She is a social work major and worked in the fashion industry
- Founded fashion weeks in east Africa - why fashion week? Fashion Week brings an incredible amount of money into a local economy — thought it could be a game changer in any community.
- Wanted to bring in something that was sustainable - didn’t want to be a “one and done” charity. One project was building a health center in Kasese, Uganda
- Laurie is passionate about finding ways to empower women - target at-risk women and teach them textile skills - it gives them a career and a way to support themselves
- Ugandan Water Project - a clean water project that is part of the Paper Fig Foundation
- In 2022 the health center serves a population of approximately 15,000 - they have remained open even during the pandemic
- The provide funding but also creating a community that takes care of each other.
- Their goal to provide a maternity wing to their health center.
Reminder: Next Meeting: December 15 led by the Newark Interact Club with Malwina as our speaker