DAP proposal has been changed to Todos Juntos Learning Center. We proposed add ing some nature elements to their playscape: windmill, birdbaths and bird houses, windchimes, etc.
Meals on wheels - good through September. Jeff is retiring at the end of year and moving to Santa Fe. We need someone to step up to take over coordinating. We gave him a round of applause, thanking him for his leadership for all these years.
Lisa – She has been sending emails promoting our raffle and in response a friend bought a ticket and shared a story about the impact Rotary International had on a young woman she knows. It was a long and wonderful story, but the short version is Lilia grew up in Moldova and was an exchange student to New Braunfels. She lived with four families and developed a very close connection with the last one she stayed with. The dad told her that if she ever wanted to return to the States, he would help her. Back in Moldova, she had difficulty in school. You must pay teachers to give you an “A”. She begged her mom to let her return to Texas and reluctantly she agreed. Her host dad came through, and she returned to earn her high school diploma and admittance into Texas State University. While Lilia is in Texas, her mother left Lilia’s father and walked across the border into Italy. She was homeless and living under a bridge until a man found her and helper her find a job and housing. Lilia is living with her host dad for the second time and regales him with stories of her life growing up. The Rotarian dad was fascinated by her story and wanted to meet her family so he and Lilia travel to Moldova where he met her dad and grandmother, with Lilia translating. They make their way to Italy where he meets her mom, who spoke no English. Rotarian dad speaks no Italian, Romanian or Russian but nonetheless, sparks started flying between the two! Upon returning to New Braunfels, they correspond regularly and eventually there is a proposal and marriage! Lilia graduated and ends up working as an Assistant Director for the friend who is telling this story. As part of the interview, she was asked to bring a writing sample, which was a travel brochure for Moldova. This friend asks where is Moldova and why did she choose that? When she says its where she grew up this friend was very surprised as Lilia had no accent, she had mastered the language so perfectly that she sounded American! Lilia becomes a U.S. citizen, takes the LSAT, is admitted to the Houston Law Center, meets her future husband. They married, live in New Braunfels and have three children AND she’s a member of Rotary. All of this because of an opportunity enabled by Rotary.
Patrick – Rotary is responding to Nepal. Go to website to contribute to disaster relief. He was invited to Rotary Chicago for meeting on how to strengthen membership. Rotary is in good hands leadership wise!