Camp Sundown for XP Families (Aired on AM on Sept. 27 & on FM on Sept. 29, 2013)

(Standing. L to r) Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell (Seated) Caren Mahar

(Standing. L to r) Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell (Seated) Caren Mahar

The nonprofit XP Society provides families with support and information needed to help their children suffering from Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) or other life-threatening sun-sensitivity disorders. XP easily causes skin and eye cancers so families must be very careful about lighting. Caren Mahar, Executive Director and Co-founder with husband Dan of the Society, describes the special accommodations needed, including tinted windows and dimmed incandescent lighting, because even sunlight hitting a white wall can cause severe third-degree burns. Ms. Mahar, whose daughter suffers from this disease, explains how families struggle, under great hardship, to provide their children with normal lives: to go to school, travel, shop, and meet friends like themselves. Ms. Mahar describes Camp Sundown in Craryville, NY, the only camp of its kind worldwide, whose campers enjoy the thrill of camping life by sleeping during the day and starting their camp activities at dusk. Free to families, the camp can accommodate up to 200 people, including parents and siblings who attend with their camper child. Support comes from private citizens and groups such as the Patterson Rotary Club whose members volunteer and make donations. Ms. Maher says, “There is hope to make things work for your family.”

Learn More:
The XP Society
Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP)

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September 27, 2013 · Posted in Health, Service Organizations  

Humanitarians around the World Part III Lisbon 2013 (Aired on AM on Sept. 20 & on FM on Sept. 22, 2013)

2013 Rotary International Convention - Lisbon

2013 Rotary International Convention – Lisbon

 

More brief updates about the work of many humanitarian organizations around the world and their efforts related to defeating Malaria, providing clean water, sharing value of Youth Exchange, encouraging support for blood banks, describing how Solar Ovens improve lives, and emphasizing the importance of Rotary Peace Fellows.

 

 

 

Learn More:
Rotary International
Malaria No More
Rotary Youth Exchanges
Start with Water
Rotary Blood Bank
The Sun Oven
Rotary Peace Fellows

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September 20, 2013 · Posted in Environment, Health, International Programs, Peace, Rotary International, Water Projects, Youth  

Our 2013 Award-winning “Puppies behind Bars” (Aired on AM on Sept. 13 & on FM on Sept. 15, 2013)

Seated: Carl Rotans. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell.

Seated: Carl Rotans. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell.

The New York State Broadcasters Association presented its 2013 Award of Excellence in Broadcasting in the category of Public Affairs Program/Series to RadioRotary for “Puppies behind Bars.” RadioRotary also won in this category in 2012.

Carl Rotans, Senior Instructor of Puppies behind Bars, teaches inmates to train service dogs. These unique dogs greatly assist the disabled, especially veterans, in a multitude of ways: taking dishes from the table, dialing 911 if necessary, turning lights on or off. The dogs are trained to respond to more than 90 commands. In this heavily monitored program, inmates are prescreened, go through a long and intensive selective process, and if selected, live day and night with their 8-week-old puppy as it grows and learns for the next two years. The process not only results in trained animals that improve the lives of their disabled owners, but also helps the prisoners learn disciple and other skills that will be helpful when they return to life outside the prison walls. Parting is “bittersweet,” with many inmates opting for a new puppy when the first training period ends. Mr. Rowans shares the history of service dogs who work with law enforcement agencies, the kinds of training rooms, the difference between a guide dog and a service dog, how this program transforms prisoners and the prison facilities, and much more .

Learn More:
Puppies Behind Bars
Service Dogs
New York State Broadcasters Association

 

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September 13, 2013 · Posted in Animals, Quality of Life  

Planting the Seeds of Service (Aired on AM on Sept. 6 & on FM on Sept. 8, 2013)

Seated L to R:. Standing L to R: Co-host Jonah Triebwasser & Sarah O’Connell; Louis Turpin, Interact Advisor

Seated L to R:. Standing L to R: Co-host Jonah Triebwasser & Sarah O’Connell; Louis Turpin, Interact Advisor

Rhinebeck Interact, a Rotary-sponsored high-school service organization, provides hands-on support in Nicaragua, building classrooms in that Central American nation during Rhinebeck school breaks. Two New York Rhinebeck High School students in Interact, Addie Crenshaw and Emily McGettrick, epitomize our next generation of humanitarians as they discuss how, working in the co-operation with a Nicaragua Rotary Club, they use “rebar” to reinforce structures, implement water systems, lay bricks, mix cement for a foundation, and do much, much more. On their trip south to Nicaragua, they fill their baggage with shoes (shoes are a requirement to attend school in Nicaragua. Rhinebeck Interact also supports several projects in the Hudson Valley, such as local soup kitchens, and they implement various fundraising activities for these projects.

Learn More:
Rotary International Interact Website:
Contact Rhinebeck Interact
Rotary Club of Rhinebeck

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September 6, 2013 · Posted in Education, International Programs, New Generations, Youth