Community Outreach in December

As part of our ongoing Literacy Initiative, Brookfields Rotary delivered reference books to third grade students throughout our area.  During December, Rotarians visited the elementary schools at Wire Village Elementary in Spencer; the Elementary schools in Brookfield, East Brookfield, North Brookfield, and West Brookfield; and Warren Community Elementary.

During our visits, we take a few minutes to explore the fun facts contained in the dictionaries and thesauruses and to answer student questions about Rotary.  It is great fun for Rotarians to have an opportunity of interacting with these young scholars; their questions and comments are so smart, and so full of excitement.

Although computers have become the principal learning tools in classrooms, books are still an important part of the learning experience.  This is why the teachers tell us every year how grateful they are for these donations, and why the students are happy to have books of their own. 

In addition to delivering text books, at some schools we also placed readers, games, and craft books in the “Jingle Boxes”.  The schools set up these donation boxes to help families in need and to make Christmas a bit brighter for their boys and girls.  

As part of our Community Outreach Initiative, Brookfields Rotary collected and donated warm coats to the North Brookfield Senior Center in December.  During these cold winter months, the Center is collecting new and gently used coats for the “Coat Closet” project of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Southbridge.  The Center will continue to accept donations through February.   

Seen in the photo with a few of the coats are North Brookfield Senior Center Director Diane Nichols and Brookfields Rotary President-Elect Lynn Duffy-O’Shea

Rotarian Mark joined the North Brookfield School District this year as their District Activities Director.  Mark transferred to our club from Fitchburg East, where he was a Past President and a Paul Harris Fellow.  We are delighted to welcome Mark and his wife Theresa to our Brookfields Rotary family.    

Once again this year, Brookfields Rotarians were on hand to help warm up festive celebrants attending the Warren Christmas Tree Lighting.  Community Services Director Mike Dupsha, and VP Lynn Duffy-O'Shea braved the cold and snowy weather to serve chop suey.   

Rotarians worked hard once again to prepare a delicious meal for our senior citizen neighbors and friends.

Rotary served seniors at the West Brookfield Senior Center

                                                 photos by Lynn Duffy-O'Shea

Rotary thanks all our Oktoberfest donors. We also appreciate the support of our generous hosts at Ye Olde Tavern in West Brookfield, without whom this event would not be possible.. 

As always, we are grateful to our friends and neighbors who attended the event and support our club, and to Klaus and Glenys from Sturbridge Rotary who added to the festivities by wearing their best lederhosen and dirndl.

                                                 photo by Lynn Duffy-O'Shea

On Saturday morning, a couple of Brookfields Rotarians travelled to Monson to assist the Rotary Club there during their day-long Jimmy Fund fundraiser.  

Our local  Rotarians had a great time greeting visitors to the Food Truck Festival hosted by our fiends in Monson Rotary and helping them promote enthusiasm and solicit donations for a great cause.  

                                               photo by Lynn Duffy-O'Shea

About 60 senior citizens gathered at the community house in Howe Village in August to enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner prepared and served by members of the Rotary Club of the Brookfields. This annual event is one of many service projects that the club carries out in the Brookfields, Spencer and Warren. 

In August, Rotarians from Sturbridge, The Brookfields, and Southbridge gathered on the shore of Lake Char­gogg­a­gogg­man­chaugg­a­gogg­chau­bun­a­gung­a­maugg in Webster for some picturesque fun and socializing. After a narrated trip around Webster Lake on the restored steamboat “Indian Princess”, the party continued with dinner at Samuel Slater’s Restaurant near the dock. Following a brief squall to clear the air just before boarding, Mother Nature smiled on the happy group for the rest of the afternoon

Brookfields Rotary celebrated the induction of its 2019-20 Board of Directors on June 30 at the summer home of one of our members on bucolic Quaboag Pond in Brookfield.  The club was honored to have two Past District Governors on hand, Klaus Hatchfeld from the Sturbridge club and T. Tall from the Middlebury, Vermont club.  Klaus, ably assisted by T. Tall, inducted President Luanne McLeod and her Board.

Also recognized was longtime Rotarian Darby Warburton..  Assistant Governor Lynn Duffy-OShea presented him with a Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) for his 42 years of Rotary service.  The club thanks member Sujoy and her husband Richard for their hospitality, and extends best wishes to Luanne and her team as our club continues improving lives in the Quaboag Valley region.  

On May 9, the Rotary Club of the Brookfields officially inducted Norma Beaudry during the club's meeting at First Church in North Brookfield.  The ceremony was conducted by Past President Beverly Sawyer. Joining the assembled members in welcoming Norma were President Luanne McLeod and Assistant Governor and Immediate Past President Lynn Duffy-OShea.

The club congratulates Norma and welcomes her to the Rotary family.