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Rick received Bachelor of Building Science and Bachelor of Architecture degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. He was a practicing architect in Manchester, CT for 46 years until his retirement in 2015 when he and Elin made Ft. Lauderdale, FL their residence and began spending summers in Rhode Island.
He joined the Manchester, CT Rotary Club in 1978 and in 2000 received the first of eight Paul Harris Fellow awards. For the past nine years he has served as District 7890 Chair for Water & Sanitation Projects. In 2014 Rotary International presented him with the “Service Above Self” Award – Rotary’s highest honor and awarded annually to a maximum of 150 individuals throughout the world.
While vacationing in Guatemala in 2006 Rick attended a meeting of the Rotary Club of La Antigua, Guatemala, making the initial connections that resulted in thirty (30) sustainable clean water and sanitation projects completed from 2007 through 2025.
His presentation to our club on April 23, 2025, will show the history of these projects, the four basic components each household receives, and how they improve the lives of the Indigenous Mayan recipients immeasurably.
• April 2nd - Guest Speaker: Zeina Zein-Wolland, Topic: "Mobile School Pantry"
• April 10th - (CAMS) Club Assembly Meeting Social
• April 16th - Guest Speaker: Zeina Zein-Wolland, Topic: "Mobile School Pantry"
• April 23rd - Guest Speaker: Richard S. Lawrence, Topic: "Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Projects"
• April 30th - Guest Speaker: Dr. Axa Yox, Topic: "Linkedin"
| WED., APRIL 23RD @ 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM - HYBRID CLUB MEETING GUEST SPEAKER: RICK LAWRENCE, WATER PROJECTS IN GUATEMALA |
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How fascinating and valuable was speaker Rotarian Rick Lawrence's presentation at our April 23, 2025, meeting.
While vacationing in Guatemala in 2006 Rick and his wife Elin attended a meeting of the Rotary Club of La Antigua, Guatemala, making the initial connections that resulted in thirty (30) sustainable clean water and sanitation projects completed from 2007 through 2025! What an outstanding initiative by a Rotarian.
Rick's presentation to our Club shows the history of these projects, the four basic components each household receives, and how they improve the lives of the Indigenous Mayan recipients immeasurably by bringing water to their villages.
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BENEFITS TO THE PROJECT RECIPIENTS
Extraordinary Results - WITHIN A YEAR AFTER PROJECT COMPLETION:
• NEARLY 60% DECREASE In the number of intestinal diseases and diarrhea cases, resulting from water and sanitation improvements, nutrition & health education, vaccinations, etc.
• 10% PER YEAR REDUCTION of childhood malnutrition in Mayan communities. (Guatemala has the fifth highest rate of malnutrition in the world; the highest in Latin America.)
• APPROXIMATELY 60% REDUCTION in eye infections, respiratory ailments and burns caused by open cooking fires.
• INCREASED SCHOOL ATTENDANCE (especially for girls), rather than carrying water 2-3 hours a day.
• INCREASED EMPOWERMENT of women: higher self-esteem, more time to weave, sew and create handicrafts that can be sold in the local markets allowing women to have a voice in household expenditures and decisions.
We are all so impressed and proud. This is what being a Rotarian is all about.
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| THU., APRIL 24TH @ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM / "COCKTAILS & NETWORKING" YOU'RE INVITED APRIL BUSINESS AFTER HOURS |
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On April 25, 2025, Hallandale Beach-Aventura Rotary Club President Evelyn Trinidad-Toraño and Rotarian Rosario Acevedo de Higadera attended the 68th Annual Rotary Foundation Charity Auction offered by the Rotary Club of Hollywood, FL.
This fabulous event is a great opportunity to contribute to worthy causes. It was exciting, energizing, and fun!
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| FRI., APRIL 25TH ROTARY CLUB OF HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA 68TH ANNUAL ROTARY FOUNDATION CHARITY AUCTION |
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On April 25, 2025, Hallandale Beach-Aventura Rotary Club President Evelyn Trinidad-Toraño and Rotarian Rosario Acevedo de Higadera attended the 68th Annual Rotary Foundation Charity Auction offered by the Rotary Club of Hollywood, FL.
This fabulous event is a great opportunity to contribute to worthy causes. It was exciting, energizing, and fun!
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| SAT., APRIL 26TH @ 9AM to 12PM - FREE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH & WELLNESS FOR KIDS |
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FIND A SAFE, HEALTH & FUN SUMMER AT THE Y!
Hallandale Beach YMCA Family Center
501 SE 1st Ave, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the Hallandale Beach-Aventura Rotary Club was present to support one of our most significant priorities; the health of our children.
Healthy Kids Day took place at the fabulous Hallandale Beach YMCA. This amazing event is a free event sponsored by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Miami Marlins, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Publix Charities. The Hallandale Beach YMCA was also promoting their Send to Camp as part of their Annual Campaign.
Rotarians Georgia Winfield, Marguerite Goulet, Marushka Jilek, and Club President Evelyn Trinidad-Torano greeted adults and children, offered snacks and bananas, and shared information about the Rotary Club. What we do, what we are, what we support. We met wonderful people and were excited to see their interest in visiting our Club at our weekly lunches.
We were thrilled to see our own Rotarian Tariq Robinson. Tariq is the Director of Operations at the YMCA and was constantly running around making sure everything was working perfectly. It was and the day was a success. Amazing job, Tariq, congrats!
We want to thank our friend Zeina Zein-Wolland, Founder & President of Mobile School Pantry for donating the bananas. Children and adults were always coming to our table to talk and enjoy the fabulous display of fruit. Thanks! Z.
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| SAT., APRIL 26TH @ 6:00 PM - "PROGRESSIVE DINNER" (ANNUAL EVENT) HOSTED BY HALLANDALE BEACH MAYOR, JOY COOPER |
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Join the Hallandale Beach-Aventura Rotary Club for our Annual Progressive Dinner on Saturday, April 26th, at 6:00 PM. This special evening is a wonderful opportunity to meet, share, and connect while enjoying appetizers, dinner, and desserts at different locations.
As our annual fundraiser, your support helps us continue the impactful work we do in our community. Don’t miss this night of great food, great company, and giving back!
RSVP today—we can’t wait to see you!
Appetizers: Hosted by Claudia Valderrama (6PM-7PM)
Dinner: Hosted by Mayor Joy Cooper & Dr. Harry Cooper (7:15PM-8:30PM)
Desserts: Hosted by Georgia Winfield, Marushka Jilek, Connie Heatter, Lourdes & Jesus Abikarram (9PM-10PM)
Zelle Payment: Rotary Hallandale Aventura, rchbatr@gmail.com
PayPal Payment Form: Make Secure Payment
| TUE., MAY 6TH @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - "ICE CREAM SOCIAL DAY" 2025 STAFF AND TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK |
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Ms. Bonny, Principal of Gulfstream Academy, shared the following message: “It was a pleasure seeing you again and meeting the other Rotary members! We’d love to have the Rotary Club’s support in making our 2025 Staff and Teacher Appreciation Week extra special. We’re planning a fun Ice Cream Social Day on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. in the teacher lounges on both the elementary and middle school campuses. It’s a simple but meaningful way to show our appreciation—and we think it’s something the Rotary Club would be excited to be part of!”
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