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Not to rush it, but fall is here! Reminder that Rotary members can either pledge a cash donation or bring a contribution for our annual school back pack drive by contacting Susan Rack or Marina Brodskaya. Those able to join us to compose the back packs will be meeting at the VFW Post on Washington St. at 6:00PM on August 29th. This meeting will take the place of our usual noon meeting that day. Pizza will be served so please sign up at https://brooklinerotary.org/event/packing-of-the-backpacks/ Items to be included:
25 3-ring binders
25 pocket folders
75 pens
100 pencils
25 erasers
10 crayons (for younger kids)
10 markers (for teens)
25 packs of tissues
25 glue sticks
25 paper clips sets
25 packs of lined 3 ring notebook paper
25 rulers
25 post it packs
25 pencil sharpners
25 packs of index cards
25 eraser tips
25 notebook dividers
25 calculators (inexpensive)
Four Brookline teens joined 200 other rising sophomores from 50 Rotary clubs in District 7910 in a three day week-end to develop leadership skills. The week-end involved small and large interactive groups designed with the help of previous RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) recipients to teach team work, decision making, service ideals, and other skills. The four teens are chosen each year with the help of Brookline High School Guidance staff. Teens selected to represent Brookline are seen as demonstrating some leadership potential but are not currently leaders. This year's Brookline award winners included Darly Boit, Candace Gardner, Miles Hart, and Tyson Klaus. Joining Brookline Rotarian Susan Rack and the 2019 team at graduation ceremonies is Richard Desir, Brookline 2017 RYLA recipient and a 2019 Student Program Co-ordinator.
Our collaboration with Brookline Housing Authority (BHA) on this year's district grant ended with a wonderful graduation ceremony honoring the dedicated students of the BHA literacy program. Students and teachers helped identify class needs. Over the course of the year we were able to provide student books, teachers guides, white boards, and 6 new chrome books to enhance the learning experience for students. In the photo is the thank you from the students along with Litty Medalia, Instructor, and Danielle Mendola, Program Co-ordinator for BHA. Graduation was a family affair and included amazing videos done by the students..jpg)
Brookline Rotary and Charles River Rotary visited the New England Center and Home for Veterans and served dinner on May 31st. The center provides a full complement of services including housing for about 250 veterans each night and they serve three meals a day/ seven days a week. The local "drill sergeant" walked us through the details of the dining room and everyone was served without any major disasters. 
Boston University Sargent College Rotaract invited Brookline Rotary to join them for the final Helathy Cooking Class of the season. The Peanut Butter Bars were good but the Kale Salad was spectacular! Who knew kale could be so tasty. This series sponsored in part by a grant from Target and utilizing recipes from the Sargent College Test Kitchen has been going strong for three years and was an outgrowth of a District Grant that Brookline Rotary received to support programs at the then Women and Girls Thriving in Brookline. A strong partnership has resulted with the now Women Thriving group. Everyone looks forward to next fall when we will resume the cooking classes. Rotary also took advantage of the evening to acknowledge the outstanding year of our out going Rotaract President Ioana Moldavan and the 50th year of Rotaract. Kudos would be incomplete without recognizing our stellar advisor to Rotaract and BU Professor, Karen Jacobs.
Ramesh Daswani, CEo of Light of Life Trust and Assistant Governor of Rotary District 3141 (Mumbai, India), visited Brookline Rotary April 18, 2019. He shared ideas with the club. Here he is shown exchanging flags with incoming President George Chapman and board member Joyce Graff.
Even though the thunderstorms canceled our food stand, several members helped staff comfort stations for the Marathon runners. 
On March 30th, Brookline Rotary hosted its 26th Annual Community Pancake Breakfast. This event has become a Brookline tradition since it was first held in 1993. We are grateful to our community sponsors for their support of Rotary's 2019 Pancake Breakfast:
On Wednesday, 2/27/19 Brookline Rotary invited the Brookline Community to meet us at Hops N Scotch at 1306 Beacon St. for complimentary refreshments and to members of Brookline Rotary and learn what Rotary can do for and with them. Since 1938, leaders in the Brookline community have been serving the town through our grants and with our time and effort. From providing scholarships and training for our youth to purchasing needed equipment for the Mental Health Center and the Food Pantry to enabling our seniors to gather and enjoy Brookline life, Rotarians have been in the forefront of solving local and international problems, such as clean water in our Sister City, Quezalguaque. We welcome all: retirees, young professionals and new members of our community. 
'Tis the season and 'tis Rotary so that means Brookline Rotary is doing what we do best and helping out. On Tuesday, 12/4/18, Brookline Rotary joined Boston University Rotaract club at their Healthy cooking Class with Women and Girls Thriving in Brookline. BU Rotaract has been meeting with Women and Girls for two years now as they cook healthy meals together every two/three months. The group has bonded over menus that encourage healthy and simple recipes, stories of each other's lives and lots of laughter.
