Bob & Eve Gilchriest, Rome RC,
recognized by DG Ed as D7150
Major Donors. Click here for text.

Opening Remarks
by DG Ed Paparella

"If Paul Harris was standing at this podium tonight.....he would say...Thank You District 7150 Rotarians, family members & friends for hearing the call from current RI President Jim Lacy....who has said repeatedly, ”I am looking for Dreamers & Risk Takers”. People who dream for a better world People who know opportunities can become accomplishments People who do the impossible by turning mountains into miracles Paul Harris would say it’s time to have some fun and celebrate. You are the Hero’s, the Giants in our mist that bring Hope...Love...and Peace to our World. You are the Guardians & Caregivers who have entered this place to celebrate and will leave this place to serve.

HONDURAS The clouds moved in - the wind came up and the rains started - The rain and wind continued for days ... the water ran over the banks of the streams and rivers... Huddled in their homes, shivering and scared they waited ... there was a silence over a country ... when suddenly mountains began to move ... hurling tons of mud on the villages below ... and then there was another silence ... The destruction left 12 - 15 thousand dead, 1.2 million homes destroyed and 2 million homeless... Rotarians from around the world came forward with .. money, supplies, materials and yes, hope to a devastated country ... how very generous Rotarians are ...

The Rotary Foundation came forward and said - give a thousand for low cost housing and we will match it with a thousand to help rebuild a country one home at a time. Again, very generous Rotarians here in our District grabbed a hold of the challenge. To date, we have home #25 in the works matched with the $25,000 from the Foundation - $50,000 to help our world family in Honduras .......... Thank you.........

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Rotary Award
Bob & Eve Gilchriest

"In the March issue of Dreamscapes, and on our District Web Site, Eve and Bob Gilchriest were featured as substantial major donors in our District. Bob, of the Rome Club, and Eve ... quiet, unassuming, humble individuals whom we honor tonight for giving more than $50,000 to the Annual and Permanent Fund of the Rotary Foundation. They will receive their second magnificent crystal .. bearing doves and olive branches .. the universal symbols of peace.... in addition, each will receive a Paul Harris Fellow Pin with two diamonds. Bob and Eve have given generously in time and financially to many organizations including: The Boy Scouts of America The American Legion National Ski Patrol System The United Way The Elfun Society at General Electric, where Bob worked for nearly 40 years ....to name just a few. Bob has received numerous awards for his untiring commitment to making our world a better place to live. Please join me in recognizing Eve & Bob Gilchriest".

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Rotary Award
Jenny Doane

"I have the privilege to present the Rotary Foundation Citation For Meritorious Service to an individual who has given outstanding service to the Foundation. The Citation for Meritorious Service is provided to only one Rotarian in each District for exemplary and significant service to the Rotary Foundation. This individual day after day has given their time and vision to Rotary and the Rotary Foundation. Always saying “yes” to any task, any time. Please join me in recognizing from the Eastwood Club, Jenny Doane".

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Rotary Award
Jerry Kelley

"It is my pleasure to present tonight 4 additional awards...The first to an individual who continues to give over & over again to the mission of Rotary here in our District and to Rotary around the World. A person who never says “no”, but rather says....how soon do you need it...what else can I do to help. This Multiple Paul Harris Fellow pin is from an anonymous donor. Please join me in recognizing our District Secretary, Jerry Kelley".

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Rotary Award
Marlene Brown & Earl Lewis

"Foundation Chairman, Joe Wolczyk presented an idea to me several months ago and that was...we should consider recognizing in some way Rotarians that become sustaining members. After many hours of research and telephone calls, a decision was made and a pin designed and approved. Tonight we will present the first Paul Harris Fellow sustaining Member pins to two very special dedicated people. The two awards go to individuals who have taken our District beyond our wildest dreams. They work, and work and work every day at a vision that only they could make happen. How fortunate we are to have in our district.....the Technology Dreamers & Visionaries. Please join me in recognizing Marlene Brown & Earl Lewis".

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Rotary Award
Barb Paparella

"The next Paul Harris Fellow recognition goes to a person who makes sacrifice after sacrifice in putting aside personal feelings for the cause of Rotary and the mission of Love and Peace in our World. This person supports a Dreamer and fuels the energy & motivation so necessary in Rotarians. It’s in a smile, a word of praise, a pat on the back and complete understanding that makes this person so special. Would you please join me in recognizing Barb Paparella".

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Closing Remarks
by DG Ed Paparella

"You have heard ... The Rotary Foundation figures put us at $75,000 through April 30th. We only need $25,000. Our goal is to reach $100,000 as we enter the new millenium. One more opportunity to do the impossible. Can we do it??? I think we can!!! You have choices: Honduras -- Kosovo --Oklahoma -- Annual Giving -- Unrestricted. The donation window for this Rotary year is beginning to close. According to Foundation Chairman Joe, we need to get the paperwork and checks into the Foundation by June 1st to be reflected this year. I am waiting to receive information on Oklahoma. Watch the Web Site daily for breaking news. The message to bring back to your clubs is this -- Let your heart hear the screams of those in Honduras before the silence came; Look at the faces of the Kosovo refugees in the newspaper and on TV; let your heart feel the pain and suffering; Let Oklahoma, a bit closer to home, be a reminder of how fragile life really is. The Dream can continue... the choice is ours... Thank you for making this night so very special".