Rotary Log for February 27, 2020 Cold and windy weather didn’t stop us from attending this afternoon’s meeting. President Leo started proceedings with a song, as Past President Dan Hoefle led us in “God Bless America.” John Rice said a very brief invocation. When the meeting resumed, fellow Rotarians introduced guests. Hampton Rotarian Karen Kulberg was on hand to hear guest speaker Haley Burns. We welcomed two new members. John Bohenko introduced new Portsmouth City Manager Karen Conard and Past President Bill Hurley did the honors for Chris Oberg. Karen is a past president of the Peabody, Mass., club. Chris, along with his business partner and best friend, purchased Infinite Imaging. Seeking to get more involved, Chris likes to do wood working in his spare time. Joanie Dickinson was humbled by the money she has raised so far on Go Fund Me for her upcoming Rotaplast Trip to Nepal. Joanie now has $3600 dollars while also collecting many beanie babies to bring along. It’s time to clean out your closets! Reduce and recycle your clothes, belts, hats scarves, even jewelry! Friends in Action, like they did last year, will be collecting during the April 2nd meeting.
It was Bill Simpson’s lucky day! He pulled the right ticket not once but twice, winning $48 dollars on the 50/50 and $175 dollars more on the match! Way to Go, Bill!
Our guest speaker, Haley Burns, is a UNH senior and social venture entrepreneur. Haley is the winner of New Hampshire Social Ventures Innovation Challenge. The Social Ventures Foundation’s mission is to create sustainable markets that serve the world’s most impoverished nations. Haley and her team created V’ice. It’s essentially a snow cone but made with healthy toppings. This product will not only create jobs for the poor, but will also provide lacking nutrients and vitamins at an affordable price. Haley and her team tested her product in Haiti. That impoverished nation is facing a huge hunger crisis. If immediate action is not taken, some 1.2 million people will only be able eat one meal every other day.
V’ice sells now from a “V’ike,”a bicycle equipped as food cart for street distribution. The product also can be purchased in schools and houses through what is called micro franchising. V’ice shaved ice cone is most popular among kids. It comes in many fruit flavors, but most importantly provides vitamins. The V’Bar contains protein and vitamins that supplement daily nutritional needs of Haitians as identified by the Haitian Health Ministry & US AID. The candy is made fresh, using locally grown peanuts and cornflakes.
In one year the V’ice vitamin formula has been perfected and this success has led to an office opening in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital and poorest city. The five-year goal is ambitious. It is hoped that this social venture model annually provides sustainable vitamin supplementation to more than five million children and adults. There is a more immediate need, however. Social Ventures Foundation, a 501c(3) organization, seeks donations for a facility to provide product for the many kids and adults who need it. To learn more, visit their website at https://www.vicehaiti.com. As part of President Leo’s routine, we ended the meeting with our Four Way Test. Respectfully submitted, Past President Cleo Villaflores Photos by Don Chick |