Ivory Coast Libraries

 

Don Wildermuth, left, and Katy Ballo (on screens) were our speakers last Thursday.

Katy, a Skidmore College graduate, is founder of Impactful Education, which creates libraries as educational hubs in Ivory Coast, the West African country where Katy lived before moving to the United States in 2013. She now lives in the area of Trenton, New Jersey. Ivory Coast suffered severely from civil warfare in the early 21st century.

Don, a former Wilton Rotarian, is treasurer and a board member of Impactful Education. For more information about the organization and to give a hand, check out their website.

LifeWorks Director

 

Krystle Nowhitney Hernandez, executive director of LifeWorks Community Action, was our speaker last Thursday.

Lifeworks -- formerly the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council -- is one of about 1,000 community action agencies (CAAs) around the country under a program established by the federal government in 1965. 

Most of its funding is from the US government, and last year, Krystle said, under the previous federal administration, it experienced a cut of about one-third for its largest program, Head Start. "We're fund-raising for everything now," she said. "We've scaled back our budget to bare bones." 

Other programs operated by LifeWorks include WIC, weatherization assistance, and the largest food pantry in Saratoga County (which is run by LifeWorks in Ballston Spa). Need is up, she said, and she is concerned about potential further cuts from the current federal administration.

An Immigration Services program is funded by the state.

LifeWorks does accept donations (including through a May 4 brunch fund-raiser) and relies heavily on volunteers. More information is available on its website. 

Lots Going On

 

Cate Miller (at end of table) was our speaker on Thursday, describing her role as branch manager of the new Hudson Valley Credit Union branch in Malta. It used to be a branch of Berkshire Bank, where Cate used to work.

She noted that HVCU's charitable foundation has given money to both the Malta Ridge and Round Lake fire departments in Malta, and $5,000 to Unity House in Troy.

Cate is one of our newer members along with Bret Smith (see below). She was also one of the members helping out at our Red Cross blood drive on Monday at the Malta Community Center.

 Anne Santino, coordinator for the Red Cross, said "We had a great blood drive, collecting 48 units on our goal of 31, including 32 whole blood and 16 power red units."

In other business, from a combination of club and individual member donations for projects in Africa which we have long supported, we have raised and are distributing approximately $1,100 for an AOET Uganda medical clinic, and $500 for an emergency food distribution program in Lesotho.

Upcoming events include an April 12 roadside cleanup of Dunning Street. Meet at 8 a.m. near Forest Cleaners.

On April 26, there will be a benefit concert by the band Enjoyous (our Brian Farrell is a member). The public is invited, and we voted to help the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club with the event, as described in their letter below:

"The Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club would like to invite the Rotary Club of Malta, NY to co-host a charity benefit concert by the Albany-based band Enjoyous. The concert will be held on Saturday, April 26 from 7-8:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall at the East Greenbush Methodist Church at 1 Gilligan Road in East Greenbush.

Enjoyous will feature mostly original folk, blues and rock songs.  Suggested donation of $15 to benefit the St. Paul’s Center in Rensselaer. The Center provides emergency shelter to mothers and their children without a place to call home.

Two sets of ten songs will be performed. A 15-minute intermission will be held with refreshments and snacks served. The intermission will allow a church representative to speak about the charity being supported and allow both Rotary Clubs to speak about their respective club and activities. The Fellowship Hall can easily fit over 100 attendees.

On behalf of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club, I would like to ask the assistance of the Malta Rotary Club to share expenses related to the provision of refreshments and snacks for the audience. I will also be spearheading publicity efforts in local media.  

Enjoyous has been rehearsing quite diligently, and they sound great. I believe this event will showcase their talent while also informing audience attendees to the good works of both Rotary Clubs and the St. Paul’s Center.

Sincerely,

Phil Kellerman, President-Elect "