Woonsocket Rotary Club Receives Three District 7950 Awards at District Day, April 21, 2007
     Woonsocket Rotary President, Dick Lemay was filled with pride as he represented the Woonsocket Club at the recently called District 7950 Day held in Newport, Rhode Island on Saturday, April 21,2007. District Governor, Terri Marcucci-Fitch recognized the Woonsocket Club Membership by presenting:
     A "Service-Above-Self" Citation for participating in a combined Districts Above-Self Day Project. For the Woonsocket Club, this was in the form our "hands-on" Breakfast fund-raising event held in April while working in a collaborative community outreach effort with the Stadium Theatre Foundation.
     A District Governor's prestigious "Leading-the Way" Award for meeting or exceeding District Goals established by our District Governor for the Year 2006-2007.Only a handful of the sixty-four total clubs received this award.
     A "Presidential Citation" for meeting District and Club Goals throughout the Year in all Four avenues of Service!
     President Lemay was quick to comment that these awards are a reflection of the total Club effort. "It's never about Me, but always about We!". Every Woonsocket Rotary Member contributed in meaningful ways toward the recognition of these awards, and all should be very proud to be Woonsocket Rotary Members.

February 2007 District 7950 Rotarians of the Month Awarded to Lori Spangler
(As seen in the February 2007 District 7950 Newsletter)
     Lori Spangler of Woonsocket Rotary is acknowledged for coordination of a very successful community service project held for 150 disadvantaged families and children at the Champlin-Perez Center. This annual event featured a complete lunch and gifts for all the kids. Lori chaired the event with her committee and did an exceptional job.

Lori Spangler and fellow Rotarians at the Champlin-Perez Center

Woonsocket Rotary Ghana Project Highlighted in District 7950 February 2007 Newsletter
(As seen in the February 2007 District 7950 Newsletter)
     Highlight of Local Club Activity - Woonsocket Launches Ghana Project
Dr. Sakyi Awuku Amoa, director general for the Ghana AIDS Commission recently noted that between five and 11% of the population in the West African country of Ghana are infected with HIV or AIDS. Complacency towards protection and treatment of HIV/AIDS is one of the main problems officials face. “We have until today around 65 million people infected (with HIV), 25 million of whom have already died and 40 million living with the virus, of who 30 million are living in Africa.” These numbers have increased in the last two years. In Ghana 400,000 are burdened by this disease and projections are expected to reach 500,000. The Matthew 25 House was established by Father Alex Bobby Benson, a Catholic priest, in the Diocese of Koforidua in the Eastern region. The program has over 300 participants, mostly women. Women are more vulnerable to contracting HIV/ AIDS. There is an unequal distribution of power in most social systems in Africa, which manifests itself in the vulnerability of women in relationships with men. The Matthew 25 House provides care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS and for the orphans of those who died from AIDS. Father Benson recently came to Rhode Island to study and was met by Woonsocket Rotary President Richard Lemay and the club’s World Community Service Committee, chaired by Charles Seavor. Father Bobby outlined the needs for education, food, and prevention services. Club members were deeply moved to hear that there are so many deaths that funerals are “batched” to one day a week – rather than hold funerals every day for AIDS victims. The Rotary Club of Woonsocket Board of Directors voted to send $3000.00 to Father Benson in support of nutrition and to those afflicted. You can reach Father Benson of Matthew 25 Ministries at P.O. Box 2807; Koforidua-Ghana. Or email:bobbylarteh@yahoo.com

November 2006 District 7950 Rotarians of the Month Awarded to Renee Darling-Miller
(As seen in the November 2006 District 7950 Newsletter)
     Woonsocket Rotarian Autumnfest Chair, Renee Darling-Miller has been chosen a Rotarian of the Month. Renee recently led the way in coordinating the large fundraiser during Columbus Day weekend. The Indian summer weather enhanced attendance all three days of the event. Woonsocket Rotarians, family members, and volunteers shared wonderful fellowship and helped raise close to $25,000. Renee performed in an outstanding manner and we are pleased to join Woonsocket club President Dick Lemay in congratulating her on this award.

Renee Darling Miller along with Woonsocket City Councilman
Leo Fontaine (Left) and Renee's husband and fellow Rotarian
Ron Miller (Right) at the Woonsocket Autumnfest Beer Garden

September 2006 District 7950 Rotarians of the Month Awarded to Gerry Noel
(As seen in the September 2006 District 7950 Newsletter)
     This month we are pleased to honor Gerry Noel of the Woonsocket Club as “Rotarians of the Month”. Gerry is immersed in and dedicated to the Rotary Foundation. He presents a "Rotary Foundation Minute Message" at meetings and has served on the Membership Development Committee and the District Membership Committee. He is Paul Harris Committee Chair and Raffle master. He continually "serves above self" and is always "leading the way". 134 Woonsocket Paul Harris Fellows and 14 Benefactors are proof positive of Gerry’s hard work and dedication.

Gerry Noel with his wife Claire

August 2006 District 7950 Rotarians of the Month Awarded to Donald Beauregard and Donna Desrochers
(As seen in the August 2006 District 7950 Newsletter)
     This month we are pleased to honor Donald Beauregard and Donna Desrochers of the Woonsocket Club as “Rotarians of the Month”. Don and Donna were nominated by Club president, Dick Lemay for “going above and beyond ‘Service Above Self’ and in ‘leading the way’” in a recent fundraising effort. Because of their collaborative organizational and planning efforts, the Club raised $13,618 after expenses for charitable donations. Don and Donna continue to exceed expectations in their dedication to Woonsocket Rotary Goals and exemplify Rotary Spirit. We recognize and appreciate your dedication to your Club and to the mission and vision of Rotary.

Donald Beauregard and Donna Desroches