RI President Gordon McInally has stated that mental health projects are deeply personal to him and has asked all to prioritize mental health projects in their district this year. Given this directive, DG Lori is launching a "Buddy Bench/Happy to Chat Bench" District wide grant opportunity that will help decrease loneliness and supports well-being in children and adults.

A buddy bench or friendship bench is a seat in a school playground or area where a child can go when they want someone to talk to.  "Happy to Chat" benches encourage people to start conversations and talk to each other, rather than being isolated and sometimes lonely.
 

All Rotary clubs in District 7930 are challenged to complete in the Cornhole Tournament Reading Fall Street Faire on September 10.  The RFSF is a Reading Rotary event.

 

JOIN US AT THE TABLE!

Definition: “Tabling” – District 7930 Rotarians and IRWA advocating for WATER CONSERVATION at our local Garden Centers, Street Fairs, and Town Festivals.

• Sunday, Sept 10: Reading Fall Street Faire (Tabling)
• Sunday, Sept 10: Wolf Hill Garden Center, Ipswich (Tabling)
• Saturday, Sept 16: Boxford Apple Festival (Tabling)
• Sunday, Sept 17: North Reading Town Day (Tabling)
• Sunday, Sept 24: Wolf Hill Garden Center, Ipswich (Tabling)
• Thurs. – Sat., Oct 5-7: Ipswich Illuminations (Tabling)
Hours – flexible, 2-hour shifts.

CONTACT: Ann Witzig (aswitzig@gmail.com) or Joan Arsenault, (joan@massteximaging.com) to volunteer!!  Download flyer here.

Our Rockport Long Term Youth Exchange student, Aili Mattson has finally made it to Brazil. She will be spending the year in Pedeneiras which is in D4510 in the state of Sao Paolo in Brazil! 

 

Rotary’s Youth Exchange Program presents opportunities for students to advance their knowledge and world understanding by allowing them to visit a different country - either for a few weeks in the summer or for an entire year of high school. Participating students live with host families in their target country for about 3-4 weeks in the summer (short-term program) or for about 3 1/2 months during the school year (the long-term program relies on three host families, each hosting the student for a third of the school year) under the sponsorship of a local Rotary Club.

 

For more information about District 7930's RYE Program, click here.

The Winchester Rotary is a proud sponsor and volunteer at Mission of Deeds in Reading. One of our members was a founder of the organization which gives beds, furniture, and household items, free of charge, to people in need. They help people throughout Middlesex and Essex Counties.

David McIsaac, Executive Director of Mission of Deeds, recently spoke at our club to share all the good work the organization is providing. The Winchester club volunteers monthly to help clients pick up furniture and yearly donates over 100+ comforters and sheets during the holiday season.

Check out this great video here.