The Rotary Club of 
Barre, Vermont
 
Chartered 1924
District 7850
PO Box 167
Barre, VT 05641
 
Granite Chips
Stories
Granite Chips   April 3, 2024
 
A Joint Meeting
 
Thirty-three members of the three major service clubs (Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis) of Barre began the meeting reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing My Country ‘Tis of Thee. The purpose of this joint meeting, held at the American Legion, was to get to know each other and to better understand the work of each of the clubs as well as to listen to a featured speaker.  
 
President Eddie talked about Rotary, what it does internationally and locally. Efforts range from eradicating polio to raising funds for the Aldrich Public Library from the proceeds of the Annual Rotary Breakfast. Other projects include the Barre Art Splash, dictionaries and atlases for elementary school children and Pie for Brunch at which are awarded Community Grants. 
 
Representatives of both the Barre Lions Club and Kawanis spoke briefly about the work of their clubs. Lions clubs focus on eyesight programs, hearing impairment and diabetes awareness. One of their best known programs is collecting eyeglasses to be used by those in need in developing countries. This is a yearly activity of the local club. The president of a branch of the Barre Lions Club, Bernadette Ibey, spoke of the service work of the Vermont Asian-American Club Branch in helping others wherever there is a need. 
 
The Kiwanis Club of Barre has served the greater Barre area since 1949 with a major emphasis on children and youth. They sponsor the Key Club, a service club at Spaulding High School and honor senior scholars each year at a recognition dinner. Additionally, the Kiwanians sponsor an annual  turkey drive and a children’s literacy program.
 
New Thing - Humanitarian Organization for the former USSR
 
President Eddie presented our speaker, Doug Brendel, and asked him to introduce himself. 
 
He is a speaker, writer and actor, but whose heart beats for humanitarian work in the former Soviet Union. For more than twenty years, Doug and his wife have led New Thing, the largest continuous humanitarian-aid distribution operation in Belarus. Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, with the people of Belarus caught in the middle between Russia and Ukraine, the dynamics of the work of New Thing have zigzagged dramatically. Doug shared his insights, stories and images from the former Soviet Union. 
 
The needs of the people of Belarus are met, in part, by helping to provide: shelters for abused and abandoned children; orphanages and centers for disabled children; and soup kitchens for the homeless. Volunteers can be found in hospitals and clinics, juvenile detention centers, senior citizen’s homes and homes for the mentally ill. The Belarusian “Response of the Heart” team brings in tons of donated food, clothing, medical equipment, diapers and furniture. 
 
Doug delivered an informative talk with both passion and compassion and all in attendance showed their appreciation with a warm round of applause. For further information visit: newthing.net. 
 
Pie for Brunch
 
On Saturday, April 6, 2024, nearly one hundred attended the second annual Pie for Brunch  held at the American Legion. Served by twenty volunteers-Rotarians and friends of Rotary- attendees were welcomed and served pie of all kinds-dessert, savory, pizza, shepherd’s, meat, quiche. While the main purpose of the event was awarding Community Grants, it was accented with a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction.  Lively music provided by Art Zorn served as background for animated conversations and helped to create a festive mood. Twenty grants of five hundred dollars were given to deserving organizations providing myriad  services to the greater Barre community. Added this year was the awarding of Paul Harris Fellows. Recipients, introduced by co-workers, were Tracie Lewis, Executive Director of the Barre Partnership, and Shawna Trader, Executive Director of Rainbow Bridge Community Center. Congratulations to Tracie and Shawna. And hats off to Rotarian Nicole DiDomenico for a superior job of organizing of what now is an annual event.
 
Club Information
KEEP CALM, JOIN ROTARY
Barre, VT
Service above self!
Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
The Aldrich Public Library
6 Washington Street
Barre, VT 05641
United States of America
District Site Icon
District Site
Venue Map
Venue Map
Speakers
Apr 10, 2024
Easterseals VT
Apr 17, 2024 12:00 PM
Barre Civic Center
Apr 24, 2024
Club Assembly
May 01, 2024
Offsite visit to there facility at 81 Parker Rd - B. Town Industrial Park
May 15, 2024
HomeShare Vermont
May 29, 2024
Club Assembly
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Rotary Foundation
 
Membership
 
Club Administration
 
Immediate Past President
 
Assistant Treasurer
 
Song Leader
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
John Steinman
April 9
 
Butch Churchill
April 10
 
Keith Jache
April 13
 
Tom Babic
April 17
 
Join Date
Carol Dawes
April 8, 1997
27 years
 
Doug Bullett
April 21, 2006
18 years
 
Upcoming Events
Barre Rotary Club's Meeting April 10, 2024
Aldrich Public Library
Apr. 10, 2024
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
 
Drop & Swap 2024
Barre Auditorium Basement
Apr. 20, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
 
STAY & SWAP
20 Auditorium Hill
Apr. 21, 2024
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
 
View entire list
Advertisement for Russell Hampton
Advertisement for ClubRunner
Advertisement for ClubRunner Mobile
Bulletin Editor
Jim Catone