Rotary Moments
After leading us (eleven Rotarians and two guests) in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test, President Caroline offered some thoughts on the present state of the country. She pointed out that we are politically sharply divided which leads to being “walled-in” and isolated. A place with a welcoming apolitical environment is
Rotary. She hopes that we can continue to enjoy being with each other and encouraged us to bring a friend to our meetings to help reduce the isolation that many are feeling. Nicole continued by telling us about the help that Rotary is giving to communities devastated by the California wildfires. Rotarians are providing food, laptops, phones, offering bedrooms, supervising children, helping to clean up and working with other organizations engaged in the relief effort.
Karl proposed that we make a donation to a Rotary in the area. It was decided to take up the proposal at the next Board of Directors meeting.
Guests: Anna-Lena Lafountain and Dennis DePaul, today’s guest speaker.
Since Last We Met
No birthdays or anniversaries.
On this day in history: In 2012
Joe Paterno—who, as head coach at
Penn State (1966–2011), was one of the most successful coaches in the history of collegiate
gridiron football, but whose final season was overshadowed by a sex-abuse scandal involving a former assistant coach—died at the age of 85.
Updates, A Happy Dollar and a Big Contribution
Nicole provided us updates on her employment life and future meetings. She is now working for FAST Enterprises, a software consulting firm which assists in development and implementation of software for government agencies.
She also announced the programs for February and March. Here are the ones for February: Feb 05, Steve MacKenzie--143 Main Street Initiative (The Old J.J. Newberry Building); Feb 12, A Visit to the Barre Social Club: and Feb 19, Martial Arts Master Freddie LaPan--Self-Defense.
Eddie gave a Happy Dollar, happy that his daughter had gone off to Marist College for her last semester.
Ted announced that he had received a check from Gary Hass for $5000 for the World Santa Wrap Project.
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta
Tony introduced his friend Dennis DePaul, Executive Director, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. Dennis DePaul is the Executive Director for Vermont’s Camp Ta-Kum-Ta in South Hero. In this role, he is all things camp, a restorative leader and collaborative community member who is committed to championing Camp's mission and living our core values of safety, connection and joy. With over twenty-seven years of experience, Dennis has served in many roles including ropes course leader, program director, assistant camp director, camp director, board member, vice president
and president of the board (for seven years!). Since February of 2020, Dennis has served as Camp’s Executive Director and expertly carried the organization through the pandemic while growing the donor base and maintaining a community of campers and volunteers. Celebrating over 40 years, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta provides year-round camping experiences in a safe and loving environment for children who have or have had cancer and their families. Camp Ta-Kum-Ta exists for Vermont and Northern New York children (including other out-of-state children who are treated in Vermont), at no cost to their families.
Tony and Daniel’s friendship began during the early years of Camp Ta-Kum-Ta when Tony was a volunteer and Daniel was a ropes course leader. Not only friends, but they look like they could have been brothers. Tony contributed to Daniel’s talk with anecdotes and heartfelt stories about the children and the activities in which they were engaged. Both of them described the Camp Ta-Kum-Ta experience as “magic.” It is a place “over the rainbow.”
Daniel shared with us how the name came about. While discussing the possibility of a camp where “kids with cancer” can just be “kids.” One of the children, still too young
to attend, exclaimed in frustration “but I want a camp to come ta!”. The name was perfect! Eventually she did get her “Camp Ta-Kum-Ta”. Today, she is one of the many survivors volunteering during our programs.
While a slideshow was occurring in the background throughout Daniel’s talk, he made the following notable points:
Programs run all year.
We try to create moments of connection for children who often feel disconnected and isolated.
Children in all phases of cancer are accepted.
It’s a place where children are treated as a children; they can be themselves.
The whole family shares the load.
During Q&A, Daniel revealed that when Camp Ta-Kum-Ta started, the death to survival rate was 60%-40% and now the survival rate is 80-90%.
Daniel told us that there are three ways to volunteer: Program (help plan and implement programs); Community (assist in the maintenance of the grounds); and Event (facilitate fundraising events).
Daniel delivered an uplifting talk that provided us with an opportunity to “see” the magic of Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. Rotarians showed their appreciation with a warm round of applause at the conclusion of his presentation. Keep up the good work, Daniel!
Until next time....that's all Rotarians.
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