Our club was visited today by 2 fellow Rotarians, Mats and Monica Mimer, all the way from Sweden. They are visiting their son who is here from Sweden for work for the next two years. They will definitely be back on their next trip to visit and bring a banner as well!
Our guest speaker this week was Cathy Zahn who came to speak to us about Human Trafficking and how we can help through her company Gracie Greene, LLC.
Cathy Zahn grew up in NJ and currently lives in Franklin Lakes with her husband Michael and 3 daughters. She studied Human Physiology in Graduate School- Fairleigh Dickenson Dental School. She worked in Medical Research, leading to the position of Director of Clinical Trials for a private company, applying for FDA approval bringing several drugs to market. After reading the book “Half the Sky” by N. Kristof, which bears witness to atrocities and injustices, particularly through gender inequality and oppression throughout the world, she felt she had to help in some way, It was impossible to do Nothing!
She was particularly motivated to help fight human trafficking of young girls in Cambodia which is one of the greatest human rights violations Cambodia faces today. She is a mother of 3 daughters and she can't imagine such atrocities happening. She was convinced that education can be the most effective way to fight poverty, modern day slavery and fertility, so she built a school there! Money was needed for this endeavor, so she decided to start a company and sell products in order to raise money and not have to rely on annual fund raisers. This is how Gracie Greene LLC was started! The company has burlap and leather totes, purses, backpacks and luggage that is all made in NJ. The funds raised from these sales were first used to build the Zahn school in Cambodia, in 2014. This is located 30 miles north of Phnom Penh Cambodia. Now the funds are used to meet the needs of the school on a yearly basis. In 2016 they were able to donate several computers to the school and pay the salary for the English language teacher. The school currently has 500 students enrolled!
Cathy and her family visit the school and are always amazed at how little it takes to help change a student's life. Gracie Greenie likes to connect their clients to their mission, so whenever someone buys a product they are also given a card (pictured below) letting them know what exactly their purchase will go towards. In this way, everyone has some ownership in making a difference in a child's life.
Talent is everywhere but opportunity is not! As we all support the school we are creating opportunity!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
~ Lois Horowitz reminds us that friendship exchange is schedule for June 14th and this time the guests are from Australia!
~ Diane Vasile-Falcone reminds is all that the Valentine's Day Brunch is schedule for February 11th and is completely sold out!!! There is waiting list in place in case more space opens up. Please if you have any donations or any baskets forward them to Diane, Dawn or Jay! We currently have 63 donations and we are looking to break 100! Help will also be needed to put the baskets together.
~ Diane Vasile-Falcone also reminds us that Greeters are needed for our weekly meetings so make sure you sign up!
~ Joe Lupo reminds us that there will be a membership committee meeting after next week's meeting (Feb 1st).
~ Kevin Behnke reminds us that the Pancake Breakfast is on March 11th 8:30 am - 12:30 pm.
~ Sheryl Adamoff informed everyone that the next staff meeting is scheduled for Feb 5th at the brand new location The Crown Plaza!
~ Sheryl reminds us that the Gift of Life Dinner is February 8th at the Venetian.
~ Sheryl also announced that Ryla this year is scheduled for June 24th and it is at a new SURPRISE location that has not been announced yet!
~ Doris Spano would like to remind everyone the next 3 Bingo Mondays at the Veteran's Home have been scheduled for February 19th, April 30th, and June 18th so make sure you sign up and attend this great event!
