(November 21, 2016 – PELHAM, NY) On Monday, November 21st, The Rotary District #7230 hosted a reception at the American Legion Post in Eastchester to celebrate the successful operation and recovery of, who we call, “a miracle named Bright”. It seemed just like yesterday when Bright – a 3-year Nigerian girl in need of life-saving heart surgery – stepped off the plane at JFK with her dad Jonathan and was welcomed into the arms of members of The Rotary Club of the Pelhams, thanks to the Gift of Life Program. Within weeks, after a successful surgery and recuperation, Rotarian Frank Tripodi and his wife Bernadette – hosts of both Bright and Jonathan for these past six weeks – are sad to see their guests return to their home in Nigeria, yet gratified and appreciative that they were given this tremendous opportunity to see a little girl and her family mended, healthy and happy again. “This is what The Rotary is all about”, stated Pelham Rotarian Lyn Roth-Jacobs, a former host of a Gift of Life child, and current Board Member of the Gift of Life Program. “Rotarians like Frank and Bernadette stepping up and bringing this family into their homes with enormous love and compassion.” Betty Bucher, Chair of the Pelham Rotary’s annual fundraising Tastings event added,” The Tripodi’s were magnificent. With the support of our community and hard-working members, we were able to help raise the needed funds to make this a success.” In addition, the Tripodi’s have arranged a solar-generated battery be sent to the Nigerian village where electricity usage is sporadic. This will help power the new iPad and laptop they also generously gifted Jonathan and Bright.
Special thanks for the wonderful reception go out to Mike Fix and Richard Sullivan from the Rotary Club of Eastchester and to Bill Currie- Rotary District 7230 Chair of the Gift of Life Program.
This coming January, the Rotary Club of the Pelhams celebrates its 70th year… a long and proud tradition of helping those in need. In addition to the Gift of Life Program – which was introduced to the Pelham Rotary over 12 years ago by fellow member Marty Ketels – other innovative initiatives include a free CPR Program for students and the community, an annual college scholarship award, as well as monthly acknowledgements of local high school scholars. To find out more, visit http://www.pelhamrotary.com
PHOTO CAPTION
Front Row- Bernadette and Pelham Rotarian Frank Tripodi, Bright and dad Jonathan
Back Row- District #7230 Governor Lora Hugelmeyer, and Pelham Rotarians Marty Ketels, Lyn Roth-Jacobs and Betty Bucher