Lexington Health & Human Services Department Heads Visit Rotary

 
On an overcast day, with the temperature about-6.7ºC, we met as usual at Waxy’s, for their usual lunch of Caesar salad, sandwich makings, and a hot entrée, with a choice of drinks, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.
 
Punctual Pres. Dave gaveled the meeting to order at approximately 12:30:43, and then called upon Diane P-T. to lead us in the Pledge, followed by Choirmaster Charlie directing the 1st verse of America, PDG Jack offering an Invocation and P.P. Dan O. getting us off to a good start (in tune!) with our Welcome song for our two speakers (there were no other guests today).
 
Secretary Julianne reported that there were 26 Rotarians and 2 Guests present, just before the slightly tardy arrival of P.P. Bob S.
 
Today’s Daily Raffle included five prizes, provided by Patriot Community Bank, Walpole Co-operative Bank, the RC Lexington, P.P. Doug and ? (My apologies for missing one donor.)
 
Fines and Happy $ were limited (maybe it was just too cold). P.P. Jim F. offered some H$ for yet another presentation of Brookhaven’s book, this time at Cary Memorial Library. PDG Jack’s mobile phone rang up a nice fine.
 
P. Dave had some announcements, including:
  • Celtic tickets available, with $10-$20 per ticket going to our Club
  • Toys for Tots – if you still have unwrapped gifts to contribute, you can take them to Brookhaven this week.
  • Polar Plunge is coming next month, Sat. 31 Jan., 11:15. P. Dave promised to send out the instructions on becoming a Virtual Plunger, by making donations in support of our three members who have signed up as Plungers, joining nearly 200 other Rotarians in D.7930. You can also support them by attending the Polar Plunge event, at Cape Ann Motor Inn, 33 Rockport Rd, in Gloucester. This is a MAJOR fund raiser for RI’s End Polio Now campaign; the District’s goal is $125,000. Add the Gates Foundation matching funds (2:1), and D.7930 would be providing funds for about 625,000 vaccinations: that’s more than 300 for every Rotarian in our district, or about 20 vaccinations for every resident of Lexington.
 
P.P. Dan O. reminded us of the military families living at Hanscom AFB; around 60 kids there could use Christmas gifts, while one of their parents is on duty overseas.
 
Our speakers today came from the Town of Lexington's Health & Human Services Department: Charlotte Rodgers R.N., is Dept. Director, and Kelly Axtell is Assistant Director. Human Services provides central access to information and referral, clinical and financial assessments, and connection to resources and consultation services to all Lexington residents. Ms. Rodgers outlined some of their tailored services and activities, for families, youth, and adults, including military veterans and seniors. Her department also manages the Lexpress bus service, and taxi vouchers. Big changes are coming, she said, with the move from the cramped facilities at the Senior Center, to the new, much larger space at the Community Center. Ms. Axtell then described some of their specialized services, including a program on “Managing Diabetes,” presented in Mandarin Chinese; plus “Healthy Eating” and “How to Read Food Labels,” for seniors and other adults. She said one of the big challenges is door-to-door transportation for seniors without cars of their own. She concluded by saying the Department is now busy planning for the future usage of spaces soon to be vacated at the Senior Center. There is much more info about this Dept. on their website: Town of Lexington's Health & Human Services Department.
 
DBH