Happy New Year! Here’s what’s coming up in January for MBR:

We’re continuing our fundraising for Head Start. We’re coordinating a fundraising drive for books, and we’re almost halfway to the $5,000 match goal. You can help by making a contribution here.

January 15-19: Members will have the chance to vote on our president-elect (president term starting June 2022). Watch your email for the invitation to vote. Don’t forget — the deadline for this cycle of grant applications for the MBR Foundation is Feb. 1.

We’ve got several interesting speakers scheduled for this month: M. Charito Kruvant, Chairperson of the Board and co-founder of Creative Associates International (Jan. 7); Senan Ebrahim, Founder & Chair, Hikma Health (Jan. 21); Alex Nyerges, Director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Jan. 28).

Our January 14 meeting will feature updates from all of our committees. All members are encouraged to join any committees that interest them. Also, look for an Interest & Skills Inventory from the Service Committee.

Many of us are craving in-person social interaction with Club members! Plans are underway for a socially-distanced social event around an outdoor firepit. Keep an eye on your email for more details.

We’re viewing and discussing four classic films for Rotary at the Movies: Magnificent Seven (Jan. 4); Le Notti di Cabiria (Jan. 11); Wild Strawberries (Jan. 18); and The Garden of the Finzi-Continis (Jan. 25).

Even though it’s a short month due to the holidays, we already have a lot of service and social activities planned:

This month, we are launching a major initiative with Head Start. We’re coordinating a fundraising drive for books. We’ve already provided 120 MBR facemasks for teachers and we’re about to order student facemasks for 650 preschoolers.

In our continuing effort to help with local food insecurity, ten Rotarians will volunteer to load cars and direct traffic at the “Nourishing Bethesda” food drive at BCC Rescue Squad on Fri., Dec. 18. MBR has already contributed $3000 in support from the Foundation and remaining global grant funds  to Nourishing Bethesda, which is being spearheaded by St. John’s Church.

Through Dec. 11, we are collecting canned cranberry sauce and boxed stuffing mix for Bethesda Help (different from Bethesda Cares). They are providing December holiday baskets to families in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Kensington, and Silver Spring. We are hoping for 50 cans and 50 boxes. Not a problem for Rotarians!! Drop your items off at the Greifs’ house.

On Dec. 9 at 7 pm, we’re celebrating the Club’s 14th anniversary (outdoors!) at Surfside/Tenleytown. More information and signup is available at this link. If more than 18 people are interested, the restaurant can set up additional dining.

We’ve got two great speakers scheduled for this month: Teri Cochrane, Integrative Practitioner, CCP will speak about weight management (Dec. 3) and Major Mark Woodcock of the Salvation Army will speak about their current challenges (Dec. 10).

And don’t miss our Ugly Sweater Contest at our Dec. 17 meeting!

We’re viewing and discussing four classic films for Rotary at the Movies: The General (Dec. 7); Best Years of our Lives (Dec. 14); Seven Samurai (Dec. 21); Magnificent Seven (Dec. 28).

Social Events

Movie Night: Join us at 7:30 each Monday evening for Rotary at the Movies, when we’ll discuss an interesting independent film you can view over the weekend before.

Socially distanced gatherings: We’re planning another COVID-safe event for November. More info shortly!

Social Events

Join us at 7:30 each Monday evening for Rotary at the Movies, when we’ll discuss an interesting independent film you can view over the weekend before.