June already? Time flies when you look forward to another great Rotary lunch of good fellowship and a great program. The lovely Sheryl Young and the devastatingly attractive Joe Galligan took our cash or punched us. President Stan called Rotary Club of Burlingame Meeting #2756 to order. President Stan has kept meticulous records since 1925.
Pledge and Invocation
Emily Matthews was invited to lead the pledge. Charles Voltz delivered a warm invocation.
GUESTS AND VISITING ROTARIANS
Emily Matthews had a full table of guests including the dashing Ben Matthews who accompanied mom today. Folks from the Team River Runner Palo Alto group included Chapter Coordinator James Ward, Fernando Cruz, Christopher Leo Ferris, Ret. Marine Corp, and his wife, Melissa, and Reese Levasseur who coordinates fundraising for Team River Runner.
For his second visit, we welcomed Doug Person, who is looking forward to submitting his membership application to join Rotary Club of Burlingame. See you next week, Doug. We were delighted to have as guest today Ms. Donna Colson, Burlingame City Council Member and generally friend of the Club and advocate for the City.
Announcements
A memorial to note the passing of our long-time member Jay Plank will be held on June 27, 2:00 P.M. at First Presbyterian, Burlingame. Jay was 96 years of age at passing and had been a member of our club since 1981, sponsored by Don Revfem.
It’s that time of year. The nominating committee has been seeking a leader for the 2018-2019 Rotary Year. An affable and environmentally friendly Marc Friedman has been chosen to lead us. His enthusiasm was a bit underwhelming, but he has a year to watch and observe President Stsn and President-Elect Mike, so he knows what not to do.
Mark your calendars, our 6th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament event will be held October 2, 2017, at Peninsula Golf and Country Club. This event has raised $50,000 which have been awarded in scholarships thusfar. Before the golf event, some $8,000 had been earned. Clearly, this is an important support mechanism for our scholarships program. You don’t golf? You probably know some golf-crazy guys and gals. Send them one of our great flyers. Besides golfers, we need silent auction items, live auction items. Hotel and golf packages are ideal. You may know someone with a connection. It couldn’t be a more worthy cause.
Just our style! There will be a “Thank You” Food Truck event in the backyard of the home of Peter and Sandy Comaroto, 1576 Cypress, Burlingame, from 4:30 to 7:00. It’s a free event, but a donation of $10.00 each would be appreciated. This is a “Thank You” from the committee who is sending four kids to our sister city in Edogawa, Japan for some cultural enrichment. Mary Murphy is going along to impress with The Queen’s English.
If you prefer to donate $11.00 or more, you will be accommodated.
Program
Emily Matthews introduced our speaker James Ward of Team River Runner(TRR). Here we thought Em was just being a show-off with her photos paddleboarding in white water! It turns out she has been involved with Team River Runner.
TRR is a 501©3 non-profit that encourages “health and healing” for wounded servicemembers, veterans, and their families through paddling programs across the country. The group utilizies kayaks, canoes, inflatable kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rafts, and more. Social connections are made, paddling is offered as part of a healthy lifestyle, and participants are exposed to a path to leadership development. Participants are given the tools to lead TRR programs or work in the paddling industry (TeamRiverRunner.org).
James Ward became emotional as he described the joy of exposing the injured to the water, thereby often opening paths to physical and mental freedom as well as a sense of independence. These programs get veterans out of their houses. There are sixty Team River Runner Chapters nationally, with the newest one planned for Sacramento. The course is seven weeks long, one evening per week. There are techniques taught including a Kayak roll and a wet exit.
The VA hospital is supportive and the Palo Alto courses use one of their pools and allows 15 boats to be stored at the hospital.
Fernando Cruz is a veteran of the United States Air Force and suffers from severe arthritis. Guests David and his wife Melissa both grew up on Humboldt Street in San Mateo. Fernando joined the service and became a diesel mechanic. He was the victim of a terrible accident, suffering horribly painful nerve damage to his foot, putting him in a wheelchair. He suffered through 10-13 surgeries and reinjured himself, surrendering to three more surgeries. He was depressed and drinking too much. Two years ago, he had some further medical issues, lost thirty pounds, and was introduced to Team River Runner. The idea of hanging upside down, bound, did not appeal. Still, Fernando completed the California 100; that’s 100 miles on the water in one day. Not to brag, but our Emily Matthews has completed it twice. Fernando is now a TRR volunteer. Fernando repeatedly creditied wife Melissa with her support through all his troubles.
Reese Levasseur served our country from 1992-2002. He suffered a post-service motorcycle accident. He is wheelchair-bound and works in fundraising for TRR.
TRR is a 501(C)3 organization and is operated 100% by volunteers with 100% of donations going directly to the program. A program costs a minimum of $600 providing a helmet, a skirt, and a boat. A paddle would be extra as well as any required adaptation required for participant’s physical limitations. The VA will participate in the cost of adaptations.
Adaptive, therapeutic kayaking for post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, amputation, spinal cord injuries, sight impairment, and other disabling wounds.
Thanks, Emily, for suggesting we meet these folks.
NEXT WEEK:
Thursday, June 8 Food Trucks at Peter and Sandy’s House
Wednesday, June 14 Mark Simon, Caltrain/Samtrans at Poplar Creek
Thursday, June 15 Golf Committee at Boston Private 4:00
Tuesday, June 27 Memorial for Jay Plank at First Presbyterian Church, Burlingame