Food Pantry Donations - December
Cecelia Daniels accepted a check on behalf of the North Brookfield First Congregational Church Pantry.
Kathy Sullivan received a check for the Mary, Queen of the Rosary Pantry in Spencer
Annual Winter Coat Drive - November
Rotarians gather in Brookfield to collect coats
The coats are bagged and ready to be processed by Planet Aid volunteers
Footwear Recycling at Tantasqua - October
Sneakers bagged and ready for shipment to our 'Got Sneakers] recycling partner
Jake Rosen seen here in front of his school with some of the collected sneakers and footwear
District Governor Visits
District Governor Cliff Rober recently visited the club to share his vision for the year and to engage in a conversion with the members about their plans for community service.
Seen in the photo flanking District Governor Rober are Co-Presidents Sujoy Spencer and Lynn Duffy-O'Shea.
Entertaining Senior Citizens at Howe Village
Music and Snacks in Spencer
On September 2, members of the Brookfields Rotary Club entertained Spencer Senior Citizens and their guests at the Howe Village senior center. On the far left, Sujoy Spencer, with Mark Minnucci on the far right.
Erica Jones Joins Brookfields Rotary
On May 13, 2021, Brookfields Rotary inducted Erica Jones of Ware as its newest member. The ceremony took place lakeside in Brookfield at the home of one of our members.
Thanks to hybrid technology developed during the pandemic, Erica was inducted remotely by our District Governor Diana Nestorova. Diana also congratulated the club for its many service projects during the pandemic year. She added that Erica was fortunate to be joining a club that is so actively engaged in community service. Erica’s sponsor, Mark Minnucci congratulated her on having already completed a number of service projects that demonstrate that she will be an excellent Rotarian.
Erica grew up in South Carolina and was very active in her community. She moved to Ware about a year ago where she and her partner Maxwell LaBier operate Labier Brothers Tree Experts. Erica, who reached out to Rotary a few months ago, added that she looks forward to bringing her passion for community service to Rotary and her new community.
Our thanks to co-President Elect Sujoy Spencer for hosting this wonderful hybrid event.
In the Photo
From left, President Lynn Duffy-O'Shea, Erica's sponsor Mark Minnucci, Erica and her partner Max LaBier. Seated in front is Past President Bev Sawyer.
See more images from the induction in the gallery below.
PPE Delivered to Public Safety Departments and Schools
During the last week of February and the first week of March, Brookfields Rotarians travelled to seven communities in our area delivering Covid related personal protective equipment and touchless thermometers. Working together with our non-profit partner, Angel’s Answer, Inc, we delivered this equipment to town’s public safety departments and schools in the four Brookfields, Spencer, Ware, and Warren. In addition to the Warren Housing Authority and Overlook VNA, other area Housing Authorities previously received similar assistance. Rotary is happy to continue supporting our courageous front line workers.
Our special thanks go out to Linda and Dana Lloyd of Angel’s Answer, Inc. for their generosity, and to Lynn Duffy-O’Shea, Terry McCarthy, and Erica Jones for taking the time to visit these locations. We also are grateful to all the Brookfield Rotarians and our generous neighbors without whose support these contributions could not have been possible.
Seen in this photo are Brookfield Police Chief Michael Blanchard and Rotary President Lynn Duffy-O'Shea
FOR MORE IMAGES, VIEW THE SLIDE SHOW BELOW.
BROOKFIELDS ROTARIAN RECEIVES TEACHER EXCELLENCE AWARD
On Sunday, February 28, the Phoenix Youth Symphony honored our own Sujoy Spencer with the 2021 'Dr Walter Temme Excellence in Music Education Award'. The orchestra schedules a tribute concert annually to show appreciation for their music teachers. During this concert one exceptional teacher is singled out for special recognition from nominations submitted by the students.
In introducing the award, a member of the review board commented that ‘of all the nominations over all the years, this one particularly stood out’. Sujoy was recognized by her students for exceptional teaching skills, kindness, and generosity; for ‘igniting a passion’ for musical education. One student nominator praised Sujoy for allowing students to rent one of her violins if the student could not afford their own, and added, ‘if any student could not afford the payment, no child would be turned away’.
Sujoy grew up in Needham and and now splits her year between Phoenix and Brookfield, where her family has summered for decades. Thanks to virtual technology, she currently serves Brookfields Rotary as our co-President Elect. Over the years, she has shared her exquisite violin skills to entertain at numerous Rotary events. Professionally, Sujoy is a studio teacher specializing in violin, viola, piano, and recorder.
Congratulations President Elect Sujoy on this exceptional recognition from your students and the PYSO. We have seen your talent and know your dedication to learning and community. This honor is well deserved.
Seen in the accompanying photo are Dr. Temme, Sujoy, and some of the student musicians who assembled for this special tribute concert. .
Community Service Project
Brookfields Rotary kicks off 2021 Senior Citizens Assistance Project
Last week, Rotarians visited the West Brookfield Housing Authority to deliver food and personal care items for the residents living in the authority’s 36 elderly units. In addition to the resident bags, Rotary donated 500 single use face masks, a no-contact thermometer with extra batteries, and 2 face shields to help the Authority staff during the pandemic. Hand sanitizer and gloves will be provided at a future date.
This delivery marks the first phase in our latest initiative to assist senior citizens living in public housing in the communities we serve. In addition to West Brookfield, we soon will make deliveries to Housing Authorities in North Brookfield and Warren. Funding for this project comes from a matching grant from our Rotary District, Brookfields Rotary, and donations from our generous partners, Angels Answer, Inc., the East Hampton CT Rotary Club, Country Bank, and Hannaford. We are particularly grateful to Linda and Dana Lloyd of Angels Answer Inc. and Ted Rossi of the East Hampton club. We also want to thank the Walmart associates in Sturbridge and Palmer who assisted us in shopping for personal care supplies.
Seen in the photo are West Brookfield Housing Authority Assistant Laurie Sokol receiving the donations from Brookfields Rotarians Lynn Duffy-O’Shea, Terry McCarthy, and Linda Lloyd.
