Posted by Ugur Ergun on Feb 12, 2018

Patric Barbieri Executive Director of the LABBB Colaborative and Associates Speak to Rotary.


 
 
It was a 41 degree, grey day outside but a warm and colorful day inside Lexington Golf Club. We were 20 Lexington Rotarians in good spirits and four guests with a wonderful story. We enjoyed delicious (Jewish Deli quality) pastrami, chicken breasts, Patty's homemade chips, roasted baby potatoes, salad and berries and chocolate covered pretzels for desert.
 
PP Domenic led us in the pledge, we sang one verse of America led by Charlie V and the invocation was given by PDG and PP Jack.
 
Happy dollars were flying in the air, most remarkable were from PP Spencer, for Olympic aspirations of his daughter and PP Dan B for his son and daughter-in-law buying a house and moving out. Other givers were Murray, Charlie V, Dan O and Ugur. There were also other givers who did not have a guest at their table.
 
Raffle gifts were donated by:
 
  • Lexington Rotary Club
  • Patriot Community Bank
  • Walpole Cooperative Bank
  • John O`Donnell
 
And won by myself, a nice pear shaped candle, PP Murray and by our guests.
 
President Lori reminded us next week there is no meeting due to President`s Day and our next meeting will be on February 26, which is Rotary Visitors Day and she encouraged us to invite as many guests as possible.
 
Our guests were left to right below:
 
  • Patric Barbieri, Executive Director LABBB
  • Omar Masood, President and CEO Omar`s World of Comics and Hobbies, a new business in Lexington.
  • Sally Hoops, General Manager Omar`s World of Comics and Hobbies
  • Kristin Dailey, Events Manager for LABBB
 
Our Speaker Patric Barbieri spoke about the history of the LABBB Collaborative. A nonprofit organization of Lexington, Arlington, Bedford, Burlington and Belmont helping students with special needs to reach their full potential. LABBB was started by three Lexington, and Arlington parents 45 years ago to prepare children with special needs to the adult work world. Today LABBB is providing educational and support services to over 350 students from 60 districts. LABBB programs are all located in public school buildings and any given time LABBB students have activities around 55 places, usually internships at companies. LABBB students graduate by the age of 22 and Rotarians are encouraged to invite interns. LABBB has a budget of $25 million, fully provided by student tuitions.
 
Patric introduced us to Omar, a LABBB graduate who has a passion for comic books. He and his dad decided to turn his hobby into a business and opened Omar`s World of Comics and Hobbies at 30 Waltham Street, former location of B-tone Fitness, on Jan 15. Omar`s team consists of Sally, Christian and many special interns. They are selling comic books, games, hobby items and they are hosting events. As a Lexington resident, I`m glad that we have one more specialist shop run by passionate and smiling people in the town center.
 
Opening of Omar`s World of Comics and Hobbies attracted great attention including CBS Channel 4 and Boston Globe, perhaps yours too.
President Lori, who has a son graduated LABBB Program, thanked to Patric by making a donation to End Polio in his behalf.
 
50/50 worth $45 was won by PP Don M.
 
Submitted by Ugur Ergun.
 
Best regards,
 
Ugur Ergun