This evening, our Club welcomed several returning guests, who received well-deserved support.
Bishop Kearney: Kat Bassney and Debra Bonsignore Sunset House: Andrea Collaway and Lin Czop Angels of Mercy: Joe and Mary Jo Colligan, accompanied by Honorary Member Jennie Gugino
Guests were greeted at the door and given name tags by Lori Martinez, who modeled President Dan Dwyer’s new member steward/greeter project. The opening song was “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” in honor of our St. Patrick’s Party next Wednesday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. Members are encouraged to arrive at St. Ann’s around 6 p.m. to assist with residents and should enter through the main door. The event will replace our regular meeting. President Dan informed us that the Rochester Academy of Irish Dance recently performed at St. James/Peace of Christ. Residents and Club members will be treated to Irish dancing from a world-class troupe.
B.J. Cunningham has scheduled the first dictionary deliveries for Christ the King and St. Kateri Schools and is sorting out the timeline for Durand and Laurelton, who had wanted the same days and times. She is hoping for an end-of-month completion of the Dictionary Project. March birthdays were corrected on the calendar: President-Elect Greg Blair: March 7; Treasurer Lynn Wozniak: March 19; John Mendick’s March 14 birthday was added. Robert Francis (Bob) Spatola was warmly welcomed back and our newest member, Bob Kosinsky, was introduced. He will be the third Bob in our Club and is also a Robert Francis. It was later revealed that Bob Spatola’s childhood nickname was Frank. The “plot of the Bobs” thickens. . .
Treasurer Lynn reports that she will meet with Sr. Evelyn on March 7 to finalize the grant proposal. $4,000 from the District Grant will be put toward Chrome laptops and assessment software to determine the impact of the tutoring program at Bishop Kearney. Tom Kosanke states that 60 cases were left over from the Raise a Glass Fundraiser and each club will be given 12 cases to be used as supplemental prizes for the May raffle. The Rochester Deaf Club representative learned about Raise a Glass and decided to use the donated cases for a raffle to raise money for their club.
Bob Scheidt called up Kat Bassney and Deb Bonsignore to thank them for a decade-long relationship with Bishop Kearney. Deb and President Dan have known each other since the mid-1980s. As a reminder, our Club cleared over $35,000 for our main charitable event, the Pasta Dinner, and served over 17,000 meals. The Irondequoit Rotary Club hopes for many more years of collaboration, and Kat plans to be at the next Pasta Dinner. When asked, “What’s new at BK?” Kat quipped, “What’s new besides myself?” because she started her position at BK two months ago. BK also has a brand-new president. According to Kat, Rotarians are all BK alumni, since the Pasta Dinner has taken place for 25 years. Kat went on to inform us that BK serves 400 students, with 250 local (including Rochester City School District) and at least 15 refugees. 20-30 international students have been welcomed into a cultural immersion experience from countries such as the Czech Republic, Brazil and Congo (17 in all). BK is known for its top-notch hockey teams that compete around the world. The school president even served as president of hockey for three years. 120 students ages 14-19 (40 elite hockey girls and 80 elite boys) live on the third floor that used to be for religious brothers and sisters. They will go to the state competition in Buffalo then the nationals. Some are bound for the Olympics!
Our next speakers, Andrea Collaway and Lin Czop, have been friends since elementary school and were presented by Lou DiPrima. Andrea thanked the Club for inviting them again and extended special gratitude to Peter and John Mendick for their generous donation at the Regatta. Sunset House was established 33 years ago in honor of Jenny Nealon, who was lost to brain cancer at age 16. The Nealons had caring hospice nurses and wanted to pay it forward. Sunset House survives on donations or publicity. The newsletter that was distributed included financials so that donors know where their funds go. One major fundraiser is the February Love Always event where luminaries are placed in Mason jars arranged in the shape of hearts or angel wings and burn all night in honor of departed loved ones. The next 5K Run and Fitness Walk takes place on May 25, 2024 and the Hospice Regatta at the Genesee Yacht Club is coming up in August. Andrea mentioned that Comfort Care and Visiting Nurse Services used to send night aides pre-COVID, but now Sunset House has to hire their own staff. These trustworthy aides stay from 11p.m. until 7 a.m. Lin Czop, who was a volunteer for two and a half years, has just become the volunteer coordinator. She says that her work is anything but depressing, since it takes place in a house of love. She lives down the street in the Nealons’ former house. Lin told the story of how her husband had pancreatic cancer and required hospice care. She had never gone into Sunset House before because she never needed to. Lin is forever grateful for this comfortable and homey place. She was also candid about not wanting to volunteer there until she felt ready. It was not until several years later that she was convinced by someone who ran a hospice home in Canandaigua and spoke highly of Sunset House, explaining that families needed lived experience. Now Lin looks forward to supporting families as they transition through the stages of grief as well as training volunteers, some of whom are retired nurses. A call was put out for volunteers, who have plenty of shadowing opportunities until they are prepared to work alone.
Terri Corrigan-Bastuk then introduced special friends Joe and Mary Jo Colligan, co-founders of Angels of Mercy, whose mission has been to help women find purpose. This mission has been updated to EDUCATE, PROTECT, and EMPOWER women as they move forward on their journey toward healing. Terri described Joe and Mary Jo as having boundless energy to serve the community. Angels of Mercy is a “happening place born of much suffering,” as Mary Jo puts it. Many times, survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking are referred by hospitals orcommunity agencies and come through the Butterfly Boutique, which is more than just a clothing closet or provider of personal care items. 700 clients were served in 2023. Meeting with volunteers helps them get to the root of their story, so the Butterfly Boutique becomes a “center for transformation,” as its name suggests. Since 2010, the “Dress a Girl Around the World” sewing initiative has made over 1 million dresses that are sent out to more than 75 countries to protect girls from trafficking. After the pandemic, Angels of Mercy was no longer able to meet at St. Cecilia’s and had to look for a new place where women would sew dresses and in doing so, heal from trauma. On Tuesday, March 12, an event will be held at the Irondequoit Public Library from 1-4 p.m. in honor of Joanne Mendick. Each dress will be a living memorial labeled “remembering Joanne” along with a butterfly sewn in. Another important service provided to the Rochester community is Anti-Human Trafficking Education. In 2023, 17 presentations were given to educate 700 people throughout the community, where trafficking is taking place. In fact, New York State ranks fourth in the greatest numbers of cases in the United States. Angels of Mercy strives to be on the forefront to prevent the “vast and wide problem” of human trafficking and come alongside those who are hurting. The trauma informed Monarca peer support group is a safe place to tell a story in confidence. Each session focuses on one of eight areas of wellness, such as financial, emotional, environmental, or spiritual.
On February 25, survivors spoke at the Voices of Women at St. Mary’s Church. Angels of Mercy’s Second Annual Hoedown fundraiser at Midvale Country Club celebrates 16 years of serving the community. Jennie Gugino asserts that Rotary is her family and that Joe and Mary Jo had a calling from God to found Angels of Mercy with only 8 women at the start. They protect women and children, and even some men have reached out for help.
Guest speakers contributed to support each other’s causes. Many contributions were made for the Spatola family, Kenn’s continued health, and all the thought-provoking and dynamic presentations. There were also some “birthday fines.”
“Robert Francis” Spatola: he and wife Lori becoming grandparents to Frances Jane, who has been nicknamed Frankie
Doug Decker: went to Florida to take care of his father, whose health has improved
Lori Martinez: Grandniece’s birth on March 3 and stepson sending voice clips in English
Tom Kosanke: recent trip to Norway
Dick Butler: wife drove for the first time in a month
Kenn Van Dieren: working with our Club who is focused on fighting human trafficking along with Angels of Mercy
Lou DiPrima: AED is here! Joe Colligan and Bob Kosinsky’s upcoming inductions
John and Peter Mendick: grandpa/great-uncle again
Dave Shaheen: return from Caribbean trip
Jennie Gugino: happy to be back and loves Rotary
Ray Holla: Thanked Sunset House for offer to care for his brother and volunteered at Raise a Glass
Thought of the Week: “I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.” –Michael J. Fox
The Rotary Club of Irondequoit is a dynamic service organization made up of compassionate, action-oriented members who reflect the diversity of our community. We facilitate and inspire positive change locally and globally, all while having fun and building lasting relationships.
Bob Scheidt called up Kat Bassney and Deb Bonsignore to thank them for a decade-long relationship with Bishop Kearney. Deb and President Dan have known each other since the mid-1980s. As a reminder, our Club cleared over $35,000 for our main charitable event, the Pasta Dinner, and served over 17,000 meals. The Irondequoit Rotary Club hopes for many more years of collaboration, and Kat plans to be at the next Pasta Dinner. When asked, “What’s new at BK?” Kat quipped, “What’s new besides myself?” because she started her position at BK two months ago. BK also has a brand-new president. According to Kat, Rotarians are all BK alumni, since the Pasta Dinner has taken place for 25 years. Kat went on to inform us that BK serves 400 students, with 250 local (including Rochester City School District) and at least 15 refugees. 20-30 international students have been welcomed into a cultural immersion experience from countries such as the Czech Republic, Brazil and Congo (17 in all). BK is known for its top-notch hockey teams that compete around the world. The school president even served as president of hockey for three years. 120 students ages 14-19 (40 elite hockey girls and 80 elite boys) live on the third floor that used to be for religious brothers and
Our next speakers, Andrea Collaway and Lin Czop, have been friends since elementary school and were presented by Lou DiPrima. Andrea thanked the Club for inviting them again and extended special gratitude to Peter and John Mendick for their generous donation at the Regatta. Sunset House was established 33 years ago in honor of Jenny Nealon, who was lost to brain cancer at age 16. The Nealons had caring hospice nurses and wanted to pay it forward. Sunset House survives on donations or publicity. The newsletter that was distributed included financials so that donors know where their funds go. One major fundraiser is the February Love Always event where luminaries are placed in Mason jars arranged in the shape of hearts or angel wings and burn all night in honor of departed loved ones. The next 5K Run and Fitness Walk takes place on May 25, 2024 and the Hospice Regatta at the Genesee Yacht Club is coming up in August. Andrea mentioned that Comfort Care and Visiting Nurse Services used to send night aides pre-COVID, but now Sunset House has to hire their own staff. These trustworthy aides stay from 11p.m. until 7 a.m. Lin Czop, who was a volunteer for two and a half years, has just become the volunteer coordinator. She says that her work is anything but depressing, since it takes place in a house of love. She lives down the street in the Nealons’ former house. Lin told the story of how her husband had pancreatic cancer and required hospice care. She had never gone into Sunset House before because she never needed to. Lin is forever grateful for this comfortable and homey place. She was also candid about not wanting to volunteer there until she felt ready. It was not until several years later that she was convinced by someone who ran a hospice home in Canandaigua and spoke highly of Sunset House, explaining that families needed lived experience. Now Lin looks forward to supporting families as they transition through the stages of grief as well as training volunteers, some of whom are retired nurses. A call was put out for volunteers, who have plenty of shadowing opportunities until they are prepared to work alone.
Terri Corrigan-Bastuk then introduced special friends Joe and Mary Jo Colligan, co-founders of Angels of Mercy, whose mission has been to help women find purpose. This mission has been updated to EDUCATE, PROTECT, and EMPOWER women as they move forward on their journey toward healing. Terri described Joe and Mary Jo as having boundless energy to serve the community. Angels of Mercy is a “happening place born of much suffering,” as Mary Jo puts it. Many times, survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking are referred by hospitals orcommunity agencies and come through the Butterfly Boutique, which is more than just a clothing closet or provider of personal care items. 700 clients were served in 2023. Meeting with volunteers helps them get to the root of their story, so the Butterfly Boutique becomes a “center
On February 25, survivors spoke at the Voices of Women at St. Mary’s Church. Angels of Mercy’s Second Annual Hoedown fundraiser at Midvale Country Club celebrates 16 years of serving the community. Jennie Gugino asserts that Rotary is her family and that Joe and Mary Jo had a calling from God to found Angels of Mercy with only 8 women at the start. They protect women and children, and even some men have reached out for help.
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