Congratulations to Heather Douglass and husband Greg on the birth of their daughter Kinsley Lou Douglass. She was born on February 18, 2021. They report that they are quite "smitten" with her. We wish them all the best!
Long-time Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club member Henry Saunders passed way on February 24, 2021. Henry joined what was then Westbrook Rotary in July 1967 with a job classification of “wood products” - he worked for Saunders Brothers, a company founded by his grandfather and great uncle. He remained an active member until his passing - over 53 years!
We were saddened to hear of the passing of long-time Rotarian Bill Gowen on February 13, 2021. Bill was a member of our club for almost 46 years, joining in August 1972. He went on to join the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Club then the Sebago Lakes Windham Club, of which he was a member when he died - over 48 years in Rotary! Bill supported many local Rotary projects and was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation.
We extend our condolences to his son and daughter-in-law David & Kathy Gowen of Westbrook, and to his other family members.
During the month of February, we donated two books each to the Baxter Memorial Library and Walker Memorial Library in honor of our wonderful guest speakers. Each picture book is greatly appreciated by the youth services librarians at both libraries.
Westbrook High School Interact Club President Chloe Grosso and Bruce Dyer shared Interact Cub updates with us on February 9, 2021. While they have been “super limited” due to COVID-19, the club has been able to accomplish several service projects in the community.
In 2010, the Belfast Union Church was losing a lot of heat through thin aluminum windows. A local man measured, built and installed custom window inserts that made the church so much warmer that parishioners wanted inserts for their own homes. 185 more inserts were made that year. Word spread and 1231 inserts were made the next year. And that was just the beginning.
In 2012, WindowDressers was incorporated with a Board of Directors. That year they made 2200 insets across six community workshops. The organization is now based out of a well-equipped space at the Lincoln Street Center in Rockland. Laura Seaton, Director, was our speaker on February 9, 2021 and shared details about how the organization works.
All events are via Zoom unless otherwise noted. To register for any of these events or to learn more about them, visit the Calendar on the District Website:
GrowRotary! Discussion Group - Saturday March 27, 2021 9AM Watch for information via email to all District 7780 Rotarians, or contact PDG Andy Glazier at andyglzr@aol.com
District International Service Committee Forum - Thursday April 8, 2021 1-3PM. Watch for information via email to all District 7780 Rotarians or contact Emma Bodwell at ebodwell@icloud.com
District Conference - Saturday May 16, 2021 9:00AM-12:00PM Watch for more information via email from DG Peggy Belanger
NEW! Gift of Life International - February was Heart Month and the week of February 7-14 was Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week. Celebrate the people you love by donating $50 in their honor and sharing that love with the children of the world who need our help. For each $50 donation, a heart will be added to their Tree of Hope!
NEW! Biddeford-Saco Club Annual Maine Maple Syrup Fundraiser - Through March 28, Maine Maple weekend. The items you purchase will be filled with Maine Maple Syrup freshly harvested this season by Dole Pond Maple Products (organic certified), located in Jackman, ME. Items will be available for pick up on Saturday, June 5th at 180 Pool Street in Biddeford, ME. Direct shipping can be arranged for additional charge. If you would like to purchase, but don’t want to drive down or pay for shipping, make your purchase on line then let Christine Johnson know. She can pick up all orders and deliver locally that weekend. Purchase at https://go.rotary7780gives.org/6aff17/RVZKWW
Westbrook Families Feeding Families – This organization is focused on helping families with school-age children in Westbgrook. To make a food or cash donation, contact Sue Salisbury at suzanne.salisbury35@gmail.com
The Locker Project - Most weeks on Thursdays 3-4PM, TLP is holding Free Food Events in the parking lot at 713 Main St, Westbrook. The events are always held outdoors (unless it’s a blizzard!) with masks and social distancing required. If you would like to volunteer any week, contact Christine Johnson. You may also mail a donation to P.O. Box 3134, Portland, ME 04104 or donate on line at http://mainelockerproject.org/ The Locker Project supports 34 program sites across Greater Portland, including Westbrook High & Middle Schools, and Gorham HS.
Donate Blood - If you are healthy and able, please consider donating blood. Supplies continue to remain tight so all donations are very welcome. To schedule an appointment go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call 1-800-RED-CROSS
Matching Gift Rotary Year 2020-2021 - Don't forget the matching gift opportunity to secure a match for $50 donated to your favorite charity in this Rotary year. Here's what to do: Donate at least $50 to your charity, send a copy of your receipt along with the charity's mailing address to treasurer@westbrookgorhamrotary.org, and we will send them another $50!! If you recently made a donation to a charity that you would like to have matched, and have not already taken advantage of the matching opportunity, send that information along to Aaron. Please include a receipt or copy of your check. This is a great Opportunity to help your charity and a great way to spread the word about Rotary helping our community.
Matching Gift up to $100 to The Rotary FoundationRotary Year 2020-2021- Just a reminder that you can double your progress towards your next (or first!) Paul Harris Fellow. Make a donation up to $100 and the club will match that donation in your name. Go online to https://www.rotary.org/en/donate or mail your check to The Rotary Foundation (TRF), 14280 Collections Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693 Note club name and ID #6319 in the memo section.
Children's Books for Pantries - During this time, we will still continue to collect books for our food pantries and other organizations that can get books into the hands of children. Since the need is always greater than the supply, we will distribute them now, when the opportunity arises and will return to regular distribution when we can. If you, a family member, friend or colleague have children or grandchildren who have outgrown their books, we'd love to have them to share with children who will love them. All ages from babies to young teens. We can also always use large print books for older readers. Contact Christine Johnson for pick up.
Can Tabs for Ronald McDonald House - Thank you for continuing to collect can tabs.It's and easy way to help a wonderful organization! Just keep a small plastic bag or small jar in your kitchen, on the counter or in a drawer. As you go to toss your returnable can into your CLYNK bag, simply twist off the tab first.
CLYNK for Literacy - Ongoing - Don't forget to keep filling those bags to help fund the new children's books we ask our speakers to sign for the Baxter and Walker Libraries. Extra bags are always available at our meetings. While we are not meeting, Christine is willing to drop a bag on your doorstep. Thank you for your ongoing support of this fundraiser!
Donate to our Club's Charity through Amazon Smile – Ongoing - If you order items from Amazon.com, even if not very often, you can help Westbrook Gorham Rotary Club Charities. Go to http://smile.amazon.com/. Search for our Charity and select it. You may need to login to your Amazon account before being able to finalize your selection. Then, when you shop Amazon.com (always starting from http://smile.amazon.com/) a portion of every purchase will be donated to our charity.
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Ted Rogers 3/5
Christine Johnson 3/8
Wayne & Martha Lopez 3/30 - 58 yrs
Congratulations to Heather Douglass and husband Greg on the birth of their daughter Kinsley Lou Douglass. She was born on February 18, 2021. They report that they are quite "smitten" with her. We wish them all the best!
Long-time Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club member Henry Saunders passed way on February 24, 2021. Henry joined what was then Westbrook Rotary in July 1967 with a job classification of “wood products” - he worked for Saunders Brothers, a company founded by his grandfather and great uncle. He remained an active member until his passing - over 53 years!
We were saddened to hear of the passing of long-time Rotarian Bill Gowen on February 13, 2021. Bill was a member of our club for almost 46 years, joining in August 1972. He went on to join the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Club then the Sebago Lakes Windham Club, of which he was a member when he died - over 48 years in Rotary! Bill supported many local Rotary projects and was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation. 
nth of February, we donated two books each to the Baxter Memorial Library and Walker Memorial Library in honor of our wonderful guest speakers. Each picture book is greatly appreciated by the youth services librarians at both libraries. 
In 2010, the Belfast Union Church was losing a lot of heat through thin aluminum windows. A local man measured, built and installed custom window inserts that made the church so much warmer that parishioners wanted inserts for their own homes. 185 more inserts were made that year. Word spread and 1231 inserts were made the next year. And that was just the beginning.
NEW!
Westbrook Families Feeding Families – This organization is focused on helping families with school-age children in Westbgrook. To make a food or cash donation, contact Sue Salisbury at 
The Locker Project - Most weeks on Thursdays 3-4PM, TLP is holding Free Food Events in the parking lot at 713 Main St, Westbrook. The events are always held outdoors (unless it’s a blizzard!) with masks and social distancing required. If you would like to volunteer any week, contact Christine Johnson. You may also mail a donation to P.O. Box 3134, Portland, ME 04104 or donate on line at 
Matching Gift Rotary Year 2020-2021 - Don't forget the matching gift opportunity to secure a match for $50 donated to your favorite charity in this Rotary year. Here's what to do: Donate at least $50 to your charity, send a copy of your receipt along with the charity's mailing address to treasurer@westbrookgorhamrotary.org, and we will send them another $50!! If you recently made a donation to a charity that you would like to have matched, and have not already taken advantage of the matching opportunity, send that information along to Aaron. Please include a receipt or copy of your check. This is a great Opportunity to help your charity and a great way to spread the word about Rotary helping our community.
Children's Books for Pantries - During this time, we will still continue to collect books for our food pantries and other organizations that can get books into the hands of children. Since the need is always greater than the supply, we will distribute them now, when the opportunity arises and will return to regular distribution when we can. If you, a family member, friend or colleague have children or grandchildren who have outgrown their books, we'd love to have them to share with children who will love them. All ages from babies to young teens. We can also always use large print books for older readers. Contact Christine Johnson for pick up. .jpg)
Can Tabs for Ronald McDonald House - Thank you for continuing to collect can tabs. It's and easy way to help a wonderful organization! Just keep a small plastic bag or small jar in your kitchen, on the counter or in a drawer. As you go to toss your returnable can into your CLYNK bag, simply twist off the tab first. 
CLYNK for Literacy - Ongoing - Don't forget to keep filling those bags to help fund the new children's books we ask our speakers to sign for the Baxter and Walker Libraries. Extra bags are always available at our meetings. While we are not meeting, Christine is willing to drop a bag on your doorstep. Thank you for your ongoing support of this fundraiser!.png){kind=small}
Donate to our Club's Charity through Amazon Smile – Ongoing - If you order items from Amazon.com, even if not very often, you can help Westbrook Gorham Rotary Club Charities. Go to http://smile.amazon.com/. Search for our Charity and select it. You may need to login to your Amazon account before being able to finalize your selection. Then, when you shop Amazon.com (always starting from