“People who have been affected by natural disasters or conflicts are standing at the edge of all of the light that they know. In an instant, their life has changed and they’ve lost everything.”

—Jeffry Cadorette, Director, ShelterBox USA, Past Rotary International Director. 

Chestnut Hill Rotary’s Public Image Committee recently started a new initiative to record interviews and spotlight members of our club so that everyone can get to know each other more and perhaps learn something interesting that we did not already know. In this issue, you will learn more about Kelly McClure, Ph.D. She is a cognitive behavioral therapist and licensed clinical psychologist practicing in the Chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia.

By Barbara Wybar

I have now been in Bududa for twenty days. There is usually a slow start, but once I have stayed for a while, the pace grows to where it is almost overwhelming and that is where I am now. There are so many needs, so many orphans and needy children who want to be connected to sponsors in the west, as well as decisions to be made, such as the Family Planning session we are hosting here for the community, and so much more.

The Rotary Club of Chestnut Hill launched its latest efforts to raise funds and awareness for local and international charitable causes. March Madness is a fun way to donate to a great cause while having fun cheering on your selected bracket and have a chance to win half the pot!     

Jim Zervanos was clearly living a charmed life a decade ago. At age 41, he had movie star looks, had been an academic all-American baseball player at Bucknell University who was named Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year, loved his job teaching high school English, had a loving wife and one-year-old son and was published in literary journals, magazines and anthologies.

But cancer is a devilish intruder and doesn't care how perfect your life is.

The palliative care unit at Chestnut Hill Hospital will soon have a new name: the Susan Bray Palliative Care unit.

No doubt some people will wonder why this part of the hospital, which was started in 2011 to help chronic disease patients with pain management, is now going to be named after a radio talk show host.

Three Chestnut Hill Rotarians received recognition from Rotary International for contributing to the Rotary Foundation. Christina Spolsky became a Paul Harris Fellow and Maggie Stoeffel and David Stoeffel each became a Paul Harris x 2. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dav of Service, Chestnut Hill Rotary volunteers contributed 100 hours service throughout the week. Service activities included purchasing and donating food to Face to Face Germantown, preparing, assembling, and delivering 100 bags of food, warm clothing to Prevention Point Philadelphia in Kensington, and painting the conference room and hallway of The Business Center in Northwest Philadelphia.

Chestnut Hill Rotary continues its extensive outreach in the community this week, distributing dictionaries to several 3rd grade classes at John S. Jenks elementary school in their new library. Community Service committee member Carol Bates led the effort and was accompanied by David Gary Smith and Jay Pennie.

Our club recently partnered with Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels to provide recyclable food bags for their clients in need. Chestnut Hill Rotary's logo will appear on the bags reminding the community of the great work and contribution we make to the community.