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Personal Care Drive for Open Table

Be sure stop by Crosby's Market on Saturday March 29th from 10-2. We will be collecting personal care products to donate to Open Table. SNAP benefits do not cover much needed items like soap, shampoo, diapers toothpaste or detergent. In addition to these items we will accept cash donations so that we may buy the products to donate. We hope to see you there!

Open Table-Personal Care Drive

SHOW the LOVE

Donate Personal Care Items to Open Table Food Pantry in Maynard For a third year the Rotary Club of Concord is spearheading a donation drive for personal care items for
Open Table. The Drive will run from now until the end of March. The following items are not covered by SNAP/food support programs so Open Table must purchase them for the individuals and families they serve.
Diaper Sizes: 3, 4, 5, 6, Hand and Body Lotion, Detergent Sheets or Detergent
Pods, Baby Wipes, Sponges, Dish Soap, Toothpaste, Shampoo
Items can be dropped off at any of the following LOCATIONS until the end of March:
 Action Unlimited, 100 Domino Dr., W. Concord
 Coldwell Banker, 11 Main Street, Concord
 Concord Teacakes, 59 Commonwealth Ave., W. Concord
 Keller Williams, 200 Baker Ave. Suite 205, Concord
 Middlesex Bank, 64 Main St., Concord
 Frame-ables, 111 Thoreau St, Concord (Open 10-4, Tues-Sat.)
 Enterprise Bank, 340 Great Rd., ACTON
 W. Concord Wine & Spirits, 1216 Main St., W. Concord
 Spirits of Maynard, 4 Digital Way, MAYNARD

Holiday Party and Awards

Our club members gathered at The Colonial Inn in Concord to ring in the New Year on Tuesday Jan 7th 2025. We enjoyed delicious food with a choice of beef, chicken or vegetarian options , as well as dessert and coffee. The party included presenting several awards to some of our most deserving members. Recipients of Paul Harris awards were members, Peggy Lenari , Jeanne Armocida, and Therese Oliver. Also receiving a Paul Harris award for all her volunteer work even though she is not a Rotarian , Heather Robertson. Past President Jean Goldsberry also received a trophy in recognition of her commitment to our club, having served two years as president. It was a wonderful way to start the year and celebrate our past success and the many plans we have going forward.

Lounge 250

On Tuesday October 22nd our club hosted the first of three events this year at the Concord Counsel on Aging. Named Lounge 250, the event was a celebration of Concord's 250th anniversary and was meant to have a uptown nightclub vibe for the senior citizens of Concord. There were delicious appetizers and mocktails served by Rotarians, dressed as servers and bartenders. Music made the event festive and the positive feedback from this event was wonderful! President Becky had the idea to bring music to the COA and she applied for and received a grant which funded this unique service project. Plans are in the works for two more Lounge 250 events which will only get bigger and better. Shown in the photo are all the Rotarians who helped make this a success. From left to right: Heather, Richard, Sheila, Jean, Steve L, Dave, Hilary, Steve K, Sharon, Peggy, Therese, Becky and John.

Al Filipov Awards on 9/11

Each year our club holds an awards ceremony in honor of our local first responders. The award is named for Al Filipov, who was a Concord Rotarian for many years and died in the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001. Al was always one to volunteer whether in Rotary, at church or for town events. In his name we award members of the Concord Police and Fire departments who sacrifice each day for the protection and safety of our community. This years recipients from the police department are Sargant John O'Connor, Officer David Braga, Officer Brendan Fitzgerald and Officer Jake Miller. A donation to the Brotherhood for the Fallen-Boston will be made in the Concord Police Department's name. Firefighter, Jesse Caney was also presented the award and a donation to Special Olympics Massachusetts will be made in the Concord Fire Department's name. In addition to the donations and awards we gave the Police and Fire Departments each an orchid plant. The story Sharon Spaulding shared with us explains the symbolism.

The Survivor Tree

There was a pear tree that was discovered at the site of Ground Zero in October of 2001 under debris. The branches were broken and damaged and charred. The New York City Parks and Recreation commission moved it and cared for it. It came back to life and was brought to the Memorial site in 2010. It stands as a reminder of survival, rebirth, hope and recovery in the midst; and the aftermath, of hardship. There is a healing power to the story, and a poignant reminder of the power and strength of nature. In keeping with this story, we are providing both Fire and Police departments an orchid to remember we are resilient; both as people and as a Nation.

The orchid, as it does, will eventually lose its leaves and it will seem to have no hope to ever bloom again. But when watered and fertilized, and in the fullness of time; it will come back and bloom again. Let this be a metaphor of second chances when the signs of hope and better times seem out of sight.