LYNN — The Rotary Club of Lynn has installed its new officers and directors for 2020-21.
William Reilly was sworn in as president while treasurer Hong Xie, secretary Joyce Elliott and the rest of the Board of Directors were also sworn in. It is Reilly’s second term as president. He lives in Lynn with his wife Diane.
The Rotary International theme for 2020-2021 is Rotary Opens Doors. Rotary International President Holger Knaack said that the theme asks rotarians to create opportunities that strengthen their leadership, help put service ideas into action, and improve the lives of those in need.
During the Covid-19 shutdown, the club was unable to fulfil its monthly obligations to either My Brother’s Table or Catholic Charities. Monthly, the Club had been providing servers to My Brother’s Table and volunteers to assist Catholic Charities in its food distribution to low income residents of Lynn. Both of those activities came to a halt with the onset of Covid-19 restrictions.
However, the Club was able to continue to assist the food kitchen with its mission. In accordance with Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” and the theme for 2020-2021, Rotary Opens Doors, many of the Club members assisted the My Brother’s Table in providing brown-bag lunches for those in need. That “Service Above Self” activity consisted of making at least 25 lunches, at home, and delivering them to the Table. Those members have done that many times during this Covid-19 time. It is estimated that the Club members have made over 2,500 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches as part of that program.
However, the Catholic Charities monthly food distribution had to be suspended indefinitely. It has been replaced, temporarily, by the Lynn chapter of the Salvation Army, which stepped in to fill the void. Led by Captain Kevin Johnson, a Rotarian as well, the Salvation Army expanded its food pantry from three days a week helping about 90 families a day; to a five day week program serving about 500 families a day.
In accordance with its bylaws, the Rotary Club elects new leadership annually.
The new leadership team took office on July 1 and serves until next June 30.
For more information on how to join the Rotary Club of Lynn, please visit: www.lynnrotary.org or contact us at: [email protected].