Recitations and Introductions
After President Caroline led us in recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test, she introduced our guests: Lena and Riley Stephens and Jamie Heath, today’s speaker.
Since Last We Met
Birthday: Jim Catone--January 13
Club Anniversary: Karl Rinker--January 4, 1970--55 years
On this day in history: In 2009
US Airways flight 1549, piloted by Captain Chesley (“Sully”) Sullenberger III, landed in the
Hudson River after the plane flew into a flock of
Canada geese shortly after takeoff, resulting in severe damage to the plane's engines; there were no fatalities.
Reports
Tony reported on a helpful online meeting on membership. One take away was “make your club irresistible and fun.” We decided that our meetings were fun although there was disagreement whether fines constitute fun.
Eddie reported that all shifts at the BOR concession stand were covered while was away basking in the Cancan son. The public has been
overwhelmingly positive in its praise of having the concession stand operating.
Karl reported that we have a new credit card reader that operates using Wifi. For now, it will be kept at the BOR concession stand.
Zach reported that a new Salvation Army clothing store will be opening soon. It will be located in the space formerly occupied by the Computer Barn. They will also be moving to a new religious and service center building.
Make A Wish
Tony introduced our speaker: Jamie Heath is the Wishes and Marketing Manager at Make A Wish Vermont. In this role, she assists the organization’s wish granters in the wish discovery process, plans fundraising events, and publicizes Wish Kids’ stories throughout the state.
Jamie's story began when she was seven and suffered a stroke, caused by a brain aneurysm. She recovered within six weeks from that first stroke but, five years later, a second stroke caused permanent brain damage. The stroke affected Jamie's cognitive skills, too. Jamie was in seventh grade at the time of the second stroke and dropped from a tenth-grade to a fourth-grade reading level.
During that time Jamie learned about Make-A-Wish Vermont and she asked her mother, Joanne Leclerc, to apply. She had rock-solid support from her family although her mother was reluctant at first. The wish was granted.
Jamie had a pet turtle, Bob, and she had developed a love for turtles. Her wish was to swim with the sea turtles off the coast of Hawaii. Her
wish was granted and Jamie had the experience of her lifetime. She said it was more than the swim: “it was getting away and focusing on what she could do and not what she couldn’t do.” This environment allow to “clear her head.” She went on to say: "My wish kind of allowed me to run away for a week. When I got back I felt that I no longer had to run away ... My wish was like the gateway to opening up the light," she explained.
In 2017 Jamie wrote about her experience with her condition and Make A Wish: Wishes are Medicine! How Make A Wish Gave Me Hope and Helped Me Heal.” The book has been distributed nationwide.
During her recovery she gained back her ability to read at an appropriate level, regained the ability to walk and resumed playing sports again. She also volunteered as a Wish Ambassador, sharing her life-altering experience with Make-A-Wish Vermont with others. While attending Spaulding, she took courses at VTC and after graduation continued her education at Norwich where receive B.S in Business. She is now happily employed at Make a Wish Vermont helping to grant wishes, a job she loves.
Jamie provided us with some statistics: it cost about $13, 000 to grant a wish and; between Northeastern New York Make a Wish and Make a Wish Vermont, eighty-five wishes will be granted this year. These organizations are funded entirely by the public. When making a donation make sure that it is going to Make A Wish Vermont and not to the central headquarters in Atlanta, Vermont donations go directly to funding grants vehicle Atlanta contributions go more for administrative overhead.
Jamie’s story was an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of hearing it in person. Her enthusiasm and happiness in light of what she had to endure is truly motivational. To show their appreciation for a special talk, Rotarians and their guests gave her a warm and sustained round of applause. President Caroline presented Jamie with a Rotary coin. Thanks so much, Jamie
Until next time....that's all Rotarians.
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