Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a top priority for Rotary International, one that underscores the core values that are a foundation for how members interact with each other and their communities. Over the last two years, the RI Board of Directors have taken steps to cement Rotary's commitment to being an organization that sets the standard for valuing and living the principals of DEI. In 2019 the Board adopted Rotary's DEI statement that affirms its commitment to DEI and recognizes that welcoming people with differing perspectives and ideas enhances Rotary's ability to create lasting change in communities worldwide. It's crucial that everyone who engages with Rotary -- no matter who they are in the world, or how long they have been connected with Rotary – to feel valued, respected, and welcomed. Rotary's capacity for doing good is amplified when we not only welcome, but actively invite, a variety of experiences, cultures, and perspective. (taken from RI website). What does that mean?

• cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change. 
• value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs. 
• Recognize that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership, we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, including in our community partnerships, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive. 
•  all people hold visible and invisible qualities that inherently make them unique, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong. 
• In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization, and to continuing to learn and do better.

Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years, and we’ve made incredible progress in the fight to rid the world of it forever. Rotary, as a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've helped to reduced polio cases by more than 99.9 percent. It’s crucial to eradicate polio from the last two countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan) where it remains endemic and to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year. Vaccines work! Look how far we have come since starting global vaccination programs.

Those who had polio may suffer from Post Polio Syndrome. Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors many years (15-40)  after recovery from an initial attack of the poliomyelitis virus. PPS is characterized by a further weakening of muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection. PPS is not contagious. The most common symptoms include:

• slowly progressive muscle weakness
• fatigue (both general and muscular)
• decrease in muscle size (muscular atrophy)
• loss of muscle function
• pain from joint deterioration and increasing skeletal deformities such as curvature of the spine (scoliosis)

Some individuals experience only minor symptoms, while others develop more visible muscle weakness and atrophy.  PPS is rarely life-threatening but the symptoms can interfere significantly with the individual's capacity to function independently.  

We must continue the momentum to stop this disease. Rotary does an annual fundraiser call "the Purple Pinkie" run. This year the run will be held Oct

• Today was his last meeting before he and his wife move to Florida
• Long-time member of Rotary and founded Lewis Paints
• 1977 -opened Lewis Paints in Hatboro, which today has 4 locations. Business is now run by his children. 
• 1985-Hatboro Chamber of Commerce President
• Involved in Cub Scouts for 12 Years
• 1988 - Club's first Paul Harris fellow, and continues to donate $1,000/yr in monthly payments, currently Club's highest donor to Paul Harris, which uses a significant portion of donations for service and not overhead
• 1989-Hatboro Rotary President
• He's been a loyal, long-time member and has supported club's efforts over the years
• Later received the Service to Community Award at Hatboro Borough Ball for outstanding service to the community
• We wish him and his wife the best. 
• Celebrated with donuts and cupcakes. 

Maria’s philosophy is centered around her favorite quote, “the most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence.” Her vision is to motivate women of all ages, shapes, ethnicity and sizes to be their most confident selves.

Self confidence is the best outfit …rock it, wear it, own it!

Family has always been a source of inspiration and guidance for founder and owner, Maria - daughter of tailor, Angelo. Maria’s father immigrated to America from Greece in 1967 with his family. As a girl, Maria’s memories of her dad are the creative force that ignited her drive to launch Boutique 28.

Maria is celebrating her first year anniversary as a business owner in Hatboro. If you haven't been to her shop, stroll on in and say hello!

www.boutique28fashion.com She also has a facebook page.

Welcome to Hatboro Maria!

Since 1982, Inter-Faith Housing Alliance Inter-Faith Housing Alliance | Helping Families Overcome Homelessness (i-fha.org) has been serving vulnerable families in Montgomery County who are experiencing homelessness.

Founder Lei Barry’s call to action was born of personal experience. In 1965, she and her two children became homeless. Because Lei and her family struggled for years before being able to access the resources needed to improve their lives, she and other members of the community launched a 24-hour emergency hotline to connect homeless families with community resources.

Within seven years, the program evolved to also provide emergency shelter, food, and crucial services to homeless families. Lei mobilized a coalition of faith-based organizations within the Montgomery County community to establish the Interfaith Hospitality Network. It was the first Pennsylvania affiliate and the fourth in the nation.

In 1995, Inter-Faith Housing Alliance expanded once again to meet community needs by establishing Hope Gardens. This long-term transitional housing program provides an opportunity for families to resolve their homelessness through intensive case management and life skills training while having access to safe, stable housing.

The Food Cupboard in Abington, which has served Montgomery County families in need since 1970, became a program of Inter-Faith Housing Alliance in 2001. The Cupboard, located in Roslyn, last year assisted more than 2,900 individuals experiencing food insecurity.

In 2015, a generous gift from First Presbyterian Church of Ambler made possible the purchase of a home in Ambler Borough, now known as Hope Forest. This new supportive housing program aims to bridge the gap between transitional housing and total independence. Residents work toward paying fair market rent and receive light case management as they move toward self-sufficiency.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) is Inter-Faith’s emergency shelter program. The Network provides Montgomery County families with children who are experiencing homelessness with a safe place to stay, along with supportive services, for up to 90 days. Inter-Faith Housing Alliance is a partner with Your Way Home of Montgomery County.

Our shelter delivery model is unique and cost-effective. Twenty-five “host” and “buddy” congregations house and support our families for one month each year at their places of worship. Families are provided with comfortable accommodations in classrooms converted to bedrooms. Volunteers from the congregation, who collectively contribute more than 3,000 hours of their time each year, prepare and share meals, provide overnight assistance, and help with transportation. Many volunteers make special connections to our families, often providing a level of genuine intrinsic support that bolsters our families and brings them further into a community that is invested in their success.

Hope Gardens is Inter-Faith Housing Alliance’s transitional housing program for low-income families with children. This program provides a secure home for families for up to two years while they gain the tools they need to become financially stable and self-sufficient. Hope Gardens is an eight-unit building with one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments to accommodate families of various sizes.

Families living at Hope Gardens receive comprehensive support services to help ensure their long-term success, including intensive case management, life skills education, basic needs support, and aftercare to help ensure their long-term success and their continued stability after graduation from the program.

Inter-Faith Housing Alliance relies on volunteers to meet the needs of families we serve. Last year, more than 1,100 volunteers contributed 15,850 hours of their time. There are lots of ways you can get involved. Volunteers assist with our emergency shelter by providing meals, transportation, and overnight assistance; help in the office; sort donations; and help maintain our facilities.

Drone Golf Ball Drop balls are all sold out for 2021, make sure you get yours in 2022!

On Monday, May 24, when we’ll be back on the greens at beautiful Talamore Country Club for a day of fun, fellowship, and friendly competition to benefit families experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. The event will be held with appropriate social distancing protocols.

In 23 years, the tournament, Inter-Faith’s only annual fundraiser, has raised more than $535,000 to help families in need. Your generosity helped us to provide 11,272 bed-nights of shelter as well as food assistance to 2,900 individuals in 2020!