FBC Yard Sale – Benefit Guatemala 2020, Saturday August 3, 2019. Donations accepted. Contact Scott Linscott linscottphoto@gmail.com
3rd Annual Rotary-Kiwanis Food Drive – Saturday August 17, 2019, 10AM-2PM. Hannford Dr at Saco Biddeford Savings. Food drive to restock High School and Middle School pantries for the new school year. To volunteer to help that day, contact Sarah Hutchins <shutchins@egcu.org>
25th Annual Golf Classic - Tuesday September 17, 2019. Noon. Gorham Country Club. 93 McLellan Rd, Gorham.
The Locker Project Summer Food Distribution - Every Wednesday during the summer from June 19 through August 21. Starting on June 19 at FBC 733 Main St Westbrook 4:00-5:30PM. FBC will alternate weeks with other locations: June 26 at St Anthony's Parish Hall, Brown St, 6-7PM; July 10 & Aug 21 at Avesta 2 Walker St, 4:00-5:30PM; July 24 River St River Event, 5:00-6:30PM; August 7, Community Policing Center, 192 Brown St, time 4:00-5:30PM. If you can help on any of these dates, please contact Christine Johnson.
Westbrook Strong 5K and Matt's Mile Kid's Fun Run - Saturday July 13, 2019. Riverbank Park. Run, sponsor or donate. This race is in memory of Matthew Rairdon who's life was tragically taken in November 2013. Proceeds benefit nursing scholarships. For more information: https://runsignup.com/Race/ME/Westbrook/2ndAnnualWestbrookStrong5KandMattsMileKidsFunRun
Feast at the Falls: Fundraiser for Discover Downtown Westbrook - Thursday August 22, 2019 - $75. Celebrate local food and drink on Westbrook's amazing riverfront. You'll be treated to a 5-course farm-to-table meal by the chefs at Frog & Turtle, 33 Elmwood, Casa Novello, Lenny's, and Black Dinah Chocolatiers, perfectly paired with local beers. Only 72 seats available and all proceeds support Discover Downtown Westbrook's mission to make the downtown a walkable, livable, thriving destination. Sign up at: Feast-at-the-falls-tickets on Eventbrite
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a training program dedicated to developing the next generation of innovative leaders. Working with students after their sophomore year of high school, Rotary clubs throughout District 7780 selected 144 deserving candidates to send to BSA Camp Hinds in Raymond, Maine to participate in the RYLA program on June 22-26th. Once at camp, RYLA participants are assigned to a Leadership Exploration Group (LEG) with 11 others, and spend four days exploring the intricacies of leadership and how it arises in the real world. The activities the campers participate in focus on team-building, group problem solving, and interpersonal management within project teams.
On Tuesday night June 25th, the last night of RYLA, Rotarians were invited to attend dinner with the students. I attended and had the privilege of sitting with students our club sponsored. Each student glowed with enthusiasm about the personal challenges and growth they experienced while at the camp. I asked one student from Westbrook, ‘What was the most significant thing that you have experienced while attending the camp?’ He responded, “I discovered things about myself that I really like, and I discovered things about myself that I really want to change. I want to become a better person.” Wow!
Another student from Gorham told me of her fear of heights and how she overcame her fear to actually complete the high ropes course! She stated, “My whole LEG cheered me on and inspired me. Our group was so tight, and I learned the value of positive reinforcement and team work.”
As the evening ended each LEG did skits that reflected on aspects of ROTARY. Some students did one that illustrated the Four Way Test and it was very entertaining. As I got ready to leave student after student thanked me and our club for sponsoring them this year. I can honestly say it was a wonderful time and I love the students we support. It is in my opinion, one of our greatest gifts to the next generation.
Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth was the site of our annual District Conference. This year, it was a free family-friendly event held on a beautiful sunny and breezy day on the coast of Maine.
The day centered around the parade grounds near the Rotary-built picnic pavilion, with tents set up for programming of interest to Rotarians, friends and kids. In the large tent, there were ongoing Rotary programs including the Opioid Recovery Program, a panel discussion with young professionals, Donate Life, Rotaractors and International Outreach, among others. Attendees could build Little Free Libraries or take a history or ecology tour of the park. The children’s tent had arts & crafts and face painting, in addition to kite building. The Nor’easters Kite Club had a beautiful display along the road and demonstrated kite flying with some very impressive kites, including a galloping horse!
Westbrook-Gorham Rotary was well-represented. Mike Foley attended with his family and built a Little Free Library. Woody Beach played the bagpipes for the memorial service. Scott Linscott attended with his family and took some wonderful photos that he has shared. Scott also did a presentation on Donate Life. Kathi Perkins was part of the team who told us about their experiences during the recent International Outreach trip to Romania. Christine Johnson was on the conference committee and helped with set up and clean up.
With nearly 300 attendees over the course of the day, the event was a huge success. A big thank you to PDG John Lobosco who had the vision to reinvent the annual District Conference into RotaryFest 2019.d
The Westbrook Middle School Awards Night and 8th Grade Promotion was held on Tuesday June 18. This annual event is held to recognize students in a variety of areas. These areas include Academic Honors, Presidential Fitness, excellence in subjects like art, languages, music and STEAM, and outstanding student.
Each year, the Rotary Club of Westbrook-Gorham presents the Annual Service Award to two 8th Graders. This award is presented to a boy and a girl selected by their teachers based on criteria we provide – those who exemplify our motto, Service Above Self.
This year, Kathi Perkins presented the awards to Emilia DePeter and Charlie Fournier. Emilia is an exemplary citizen and a role model in all ways. At WMS, she was involved in Builder's Club, Falcon's Nest, and Leadership Club. An avid dancer, she also gave back in the community by assisting with a special needs dance program, Darby's dancers. Charlie showed a quiet confidence in the classroom that garnered attention from his peers and teachers alike. He is a great example of how hard work and dedication is rewarding. He was high achieving in the classroom and also respected by all his peers for his kind and humble nature.
Two books were donated to the Westbrook Middle School Library in their honor: Brazen: Rebel Ladies by Penelope Bagieu and The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis.
The annual Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club lobster bake will be held on Tuesday evening July 16 at 15 Long Point Rd, Standish, ME. 5-6PM Social, 6-7PM Dinner, 7PM sing-along with pianist Eric Peppe. Family and friends are welcome and encouraged.
Price is $25 per person includes lobster or steak, boiled potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw and water. Feel free to bring an appetizer, dessert, beverage or other side dish to share. Sign up with Nelson either at our meeting on July 9 or email him attnelsonharmon@gmail.com
Thanks to Henry Saunders for hosting us again this year. Also, thanks to Nelson Harmon, Dan Willett and everyone else who make this a successful event each year.
Children's Books for Pantries - We continue to supply new and gently used children's books to food pantries about every two weeks. We have been fortunate to obtain a regular supply of used books from Goodwill Buy the Pound. We also periodically obtain new books from a couple of sources at little cost. However, the need is always greater than the supply. 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. Bring to any club meeting or 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 children's books we ask our speakers to sign for the Baxter and Walker Libraries. Extra bags are always available at our meetings. If you have been working on filling a bag for a very long time (6 months or more), please consider returning it and starting a new one. 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.
New Volunteer at Preble St – Register as a volunteer then select as few or as many volunteer shifts as you want. These can be working in the Receiving Center accepting, sorting and stocking donations; helping prepare and/or serve breakfast, lunch or dinner; sorting or distributing food pantry items; or other activities listed on the volunteer page. For more information and to learn how to register as a volunteer: https://www.preblestreet.org/you-can-help/volunteer/
If you have an idea for a speaker or program,look for a sign-up sheet and an upcoming meeting or contact Christine Johnson at cejinmaine@gmail.com or Phil Spiller at pdsflynavy@gmail.com .
We are also interested in ideas for service projects in lieu of meetings, or in-meeting service projects.
The following lunch dates are available for your program:
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Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a training program dedicated to developing the next generation of innovative leaders. Working with students after their sophomore year of high school, Rotary clubs throughout District 7780 selected 144 deserving candidates to send to BSA 
Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth was the site of our annual District Conference. This year, it was a free family-friendly event held on a beautiful sunny and breezy day on the coast of Maine.
The Westbrook Middle School Awards Night and 8th Grade Promotion was held on Tuesday June 18. This annual event is held to recognize students in a variety of areas. These areas include Academic Honors, Presidential Fitness, excellence in subjects like art, languages, music and STEAM, and outstanding student.
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