Fairfield Rotary Club Highlights of 2008

3/10/2008

Photo by William Wong

Mike Dolan introduced Brad Worthington to talk about The First Tee program. Brad is the pro at Brooklawn Country Club and is involved in the program at Fairchild Wheeler Golf Club. The First Tee Program was created by USGA, PGA and Tiger Woods Foundation. It is an opportunity to play golf for those who would not normally have that opportunity. In addition, it emphasizes the development of life skills and nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, confidence, respect, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

Classes are on Saturdays and weekdays for kids 7-18. They also take donations including golf clubs. Mike Dolan volunteered to take any clubs donated and he can alter them to fit the kids.

Graduates Randy Taylor (Coordinator at Fairchild Wheeler Youth Development Program) and Monica Diaz spoke of the program and how it has changed their lives.

2/11/2008

Photo by Ed Michaels

Three Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Units were presented to the Town of Fairfield with training for 10 people in their use. The AED units were purchased by the Fairfield Rotary Club through the American Red Cross who will also provide training.

Norma Peterson's project was so successful that the goal to obtain two AED units for the Town of Fairfield was increased to three units. Fundraising efforts included the Bluefish game, arranged by Steve Elworthy, and supported by the Fairfield Rotary Club, Public Schools, Police Department and Fire Department.

2/11/2008

Photo by Ed Michaels

Bill Llewellyn is accompanied by members of the Fairfield Ludlowe and Fairfield Warde High Schools' Interact Clubs.

The Interact Clubs described their successful joint fundraiser, Harmony for Haiti, raising $4,000. Their goal of $5,000 to adopt a Haitian village was met by the Fairfield Rotary Club's contribution of $1,100. The students described additional projects that includes: Relay for Life, Under the Box and Cans for Operation Hope.

1/26/2008

Photo by Dave Mattock

Andrew Harrison (the Fairfield Rotary Club's entry) was selected as the winner of the Four-Way Test Contest in the Rotary District 7980 Finals. The event was held at the District Mid-Year PRE-PETS Meeting on January 26 at the Graduate Club in New Haven.

Andrew Harrison (2nd from right) is accompanied by David Schmidt (1st on right - Fairfield Rotary Club member & organizer of the contest), Ernie Luise (1st on left - District 7980 Governor) and fellow contestants.

1/21/2008

Photo by William Wong

Photo of (left to right) John Lee, Cathy Forsberg, Norma Peterson and Mike Lipman. Cathy and Mike are from the Hamden Rotary Club and spoke of their Bio-Sand Water Filter Program in India. The water filters are 100% made in India, requires no electricity and is low maintenance. Total cost for each water filter (manufacturing and installation) is approximately $32.

They created a nonprofit entity to allow for donations - South Asia Pure Water Initiative, Inc.

Our District Governor's Project (Ernie Luise - District 7980) is looking to place 600 of these water filters in 411 schools in India ("Ernie's Filters").

1/7/2008

Photo provided by the
Mid-Fairfield County Chapter of the American Red Cross

Germ free! Thanks to Scrubby Bear. Showing off the success of a Fairfield Rotary and Red Cross partnership program in the Fairfield Public Schools are:
-(Front row) Christipher Bilyard, Jake Sinnott, Rotary President Bill Llewellyn , Emma Littig, Red Cross Director Pat Scharr, Steven Russotti and Chris Jerrold.
-(Back row) Melanie DelAngelo, 2nd grade teacher Marion Richard and Kayla Shemesh.
All students are from Class 2R at Riverfield Elementary School.

The successful Scrubby Bear program was initiated by Pat Scharr, Director of Major Gifts for the Mid-Fairfield County Chapter of the American Red Cross and Bill Llewellyn, President of the Fairfield Rotary Club.