Posted by Sarah Ruef-Lindquist on Dec 09, 2017
Amanda Sprowl, A Family For Me
Buckets on the table are for the Area Interfaith Outreach backpack programs, to provide at least one student with a meal for a year, $225.
 
Mik introduced Amanda Sprowl to talk about the A Family For ME program promoting foster care through DHHS and adoption. The program is a collaboration of Suprwink and DHHS, the Department of Health and Human Services. This involves a resource family that provide foster care, and potentially adoption. Kinship care is also involved, using family members to provide care for children in DHHS custody. Respite care is also involved, temporary care of kids in DHHS custody, to give resource families a break from full-time foster care, or on an emergency basis. A goal of the program is always to keep siblings together. There is an urgent need for families that can take multiple children who are siblings. There is also great demand for families to provide care of adolescents, and she shared photographs of some of those. There are just under 2000 children in state custody, with many seeking adoption. Drug affected infant births have also increased exponentially in recent years, and usually result in placement of the child.
Mik read a letter from the area that received funds from West Bay impacted by Hurrican Irma. 
Mik also related that Carol Coffin of Unity Rotary Club passed away recently.
Deb Hitchings shared a letter from a student at QHC in Lesotho. This is the second student at the high school that we're supporting, a freshman boy. 
Mik announced that Trina, sponsored by Sheila Davenport, is being inducted as a new member,
Mik announced his project for the year is the Midcoast Recovery Coalition.  They have a $10,000 match for gifts by year-end from an anonymous donor.
Ron Hall recognized Noel Cox as an EREY participation, $100 for the year to the Rotary Foundation.
Terry Bregy reported we need people from 12p-3p on Friday, and 3-6p that day, Saturday from 9-12 and 12-3 to help with sales.
Bob Rubin said gross so far $11,000 and this weekend and next weekend are key weekends. We are $2000 ahead of last year in sales at this point.
Mark Coursey announced that next Wednesday at 7:30a at Quarry Hill the Community Service Committee is meeting. 
Deb Fink shared some slides from the Best of the Best event at the Samoset, painting project at the Snowbowl, Rotary Foundation meeting, Water Fountain project in Mexico, Terry's annual Hammacher Schlemmer presentation, a siding project at the Snowbowl, Rotary Leadership Institute, Window Dressers, Gift Shop preparations, Unloading and setting up the Christmas trees at Maine Sport's parking lot.
Ray Fink encouraged people to buy at the gift shop for some great holiday deals.
Paul Rogers encouraged everyone to join the party at his house on Chestnut Street on Thursday, December 14. Donations will be made to
Tuesday December 19 at 8:00a at the Congregational Church the International Committee will be meeting.