By Wendy Barry
Rotary Club of Orange
Wendy Barry
As I step down as president of the Rotary Club of Orange, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the members and the community for the opportunity to serve. Over the past three years, I have been honored to be part of this incredible group of individuals who embody the spirit of Rotary’s motto, “service above self.”
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most compassionate and dedicated individuals in our community, and I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished together. Typically, I would write about the past year, but I’d like to look ahead for this “goodbye” message to highlight a pressing need that our community will be facing in the coming years.
At our last club meeting, we were fortunate to have Dan Comenga, director of the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Greater New Haven, share with us the vital work that his organization does. They provide essential services, including transportation for seniors to medical appointments, which can be a costly and logistical burden for many. Unfortunately, funding for these organizations is being drastically cut, with the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers facing a 57 percent cut for this service through the Older Americans Act. Their other programs are being cut as well.
This is a stark reminder that our greater community needs to come together to support organizations like the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers which are doing critical work to support our most vulnerable neighbors. As Rotarians, we are committed to service above self, and I urge everyone to think about how they can make a difference in the lives of those who need us the most.
Whether it’s volunteering your time, donating to a cause you care about or simply being a good neighbor, every small action counts. I urge you to consider supporting organizations that are making a difference in our communities, like the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Purple Pantry Boxes, FISH of Greater New Haven, the Diaper Bank of Connecticut and so many more.
If you’d like to reach out to the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Greater New Haven, you can find them online at carenewhaven.org.
While my term as president may be coming to an end, my commitment to the Rotary Club and our community is not. I will continue to be an active member and look forward to working alongside you to make a positive impact.
Thank you again to the Rotary Club of Orange for the opportunity to serve, and to our community for their continued support.
Wendy Barry is president of the Rotary Club of Orange.