The District's New Member Grant Program has been off to a great start this year. Under this program, new members can apply for a grant of $250 to do a small project on their own with the support and mentorship of their Club. The intent of this Program, first began in 2019 during the term of then Governor Mahbub Ahmad, is to start new members off on their Rotary journey of Service, without having to go around looking for funding.
Two of our Club's new Members took on projects for Thanksgiving, as their way of helping those around us who need help.
One of our youngest members Nahian Ehtesham contacted the United Community Center of Westchester, in New Rochelle to find out what they most needed. The Center's outreach is directed towards immigrants, refugees, high-risk communities, and vulnerable populations. The facility is inclusive, and the doors are open for anyone to address their concerns. Based on her conversation with the Center Director, Nahian purchased grocery items from Stop and Shop and delivered them to the Center. The items included cooking oil, apple cider, cereal, and breakfast bars, among other items.
Another New Member Grant project was undertaken by Sunshine's newest member Shireen Shams. Her project was to come to the assistance of a young immigrant family in the Bronx where they had just lost their bread earner and the mother is now having to cope with the loss and care for two young children. Shireen found they needed basic food items, so she purchased about a month's worth of grocery items - rice, flour, lentils, cooking oil, and snacks, and delivered the supplies to the family in need.
Another new Member Faisal Mahmud of the Hope Club organized a heartwarming Thanksgiving lunch for the Children of Promise (COPNYC), in The Bronx - which cares for children of incarcerated parents. The kids were eagerly waiting to celebrate “Thanksgiving Lunch” and indeed it was an amazing feast! Using grant funds supplemented with some additional funds, they ordered chicken, rice, beans, and plantain for about 50 children and staff members of COPNYC. Hope Club President Kazi & new member Faisal were joined by Charter President Rownak and together they served the hot food to the children themselves. The happiness of the holiday celebration with the children was priceless.
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