This picture is truely worth a thousand words AND answered prayers as President Barry proudly shares his son David with all who attended the Boca Raton Rotary Picnic this past Sunday at Sugar Sands Park.  David came home from the Hospital last week after an extended stay that began last December.  We all have been praying for David's recovery, and now that those prayers have been answered it's good to see some long-overdue smiles on this Rotarian and his RotoKid!  Welcome home David!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

by Marcene  Friedley

After nine months of negotiations with diverse state and federal public agencies, our twin club, the Rotary Club de Niteroi Leste (East) finally obtained the release from customs the container with 200 wheelchairs. Joni & Friends program "Wheels for the World" partnered with Boca Raton Sunset Rotary Club and their twin club the Rotary Club of De Niteroi Leste to give the much needed wheelchairs to the poor of Niteroi, Brazil.

The distribution took place October 2006. Boca Raton Sunset Rotary club members Marcene Friedley and Douglas Heizer organized the needs of the US team. Boca Raton Sunset club donated funds to make the distribution possible. Douglas Heizer worked with the team and Wheels for the World office staff as a translator for the entire project.

 THIS JUST IN...Santa Celebrates Hanukkah!

"HO, HO, HO...Merry Christmas!"  Boca Raton Rotary Sunset Rotarians spread some "Holiday Cheer" for a family in need this Christmas.  Club Community Chair Melinda Atchison was informed of a single-parent family with three children going through some financial difficulties as they faced some hefty medical bills during the Holiday Season.  Special thanks to Melinda and Rotarian Russ Buck for collecting and wrapping many toys and Publix Gift Cards from all Club Members, making this Christmas the most memorable for this terrific family!   Extra special thanks to Dr. Steve Perman, for donning "the red suit" in 80+ degree weather.  One of the neighborhood playmates on hand was given a gift from Santa, and when told there would be more under her tree on Christmas morning, she replied - "We don't celebrate Christmas, we celebrate Hanukkah!" To which Santa replied - "Me too!"

Pictured L-R are Rotarian "Elfs" Steve Thacker, Debbie Gerusky, Bobby Yanover, Melinda Atchison with "Elvis", Russ Buck, Chris Catoggio, Santa Steve Perman, Chris's freind Mitchyand Steve Laine (behind Bobby's camera!).  See more pics in the Photo Gallery!

 "Loadin' em up and movin' em out!" Pictured L-R is Rotarian Russ Buck, Stone Medical VP Brett Jaffy, Rotarian Steve Thacker, Stone Medical's Warehouse Manager Robert Gorcyca, and Rotarian Bobby Yanover (behind the camera!) 

SUNSET ROTARIANS "LEAD THE WAY" AS THEY REMEMBER KATRINA VICTIMS IN NEW ORLEANS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Boca Raton Rotary Club Sunset was once again called upon to send a little "hope" to the victims of last year's devastating Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans!  Stone Medical Group, our friends and local medical supply distributor, offered to donate again this year 9 pallets, or skids of various Hospital Medical Supplies to any needy medical facility, as they have the last few years!  Last year's donation went to the St. Bernard Regional Medical Center in Chalmette, LA - decimated during Katrina.  Steve Thacker, Club Secretary and Hurricane Relief Coordinator made a follow-up call to St.Bernard's Head Nurse and Operations Manager Barbara Warren - who said they just ran out of last years donation - so the timing was perfect!  All of the donated supplies, such as crutches, bandages, surgical gloves, gowns, etc. were given to all patients without being charged!  The Hospital is STILL operating temporarily in a STILL closed Wal-Mart parking lot as they work out of mobile trailers!  Many are still homeless in St. Bernard Parish (County) and many have yet to return to thier ravaged homes.  Special thanks go again this year to Arne Nelson, President and CEO, Catholic Charities of Orlando - who financed the shipping costs!  Special thanks also to Brett Jaffy, Vice President of Operations and all the staff at Stone Medical Group for remembering those in need during the Holiday Season! The following email was received after Rotary International's Headquarters learned of this project: "Please relay the thanks from the RI board to all involved—You truly lead the way in your continuing commitment—Rotary was there before the storm, during the storm and its aftermath and will lbe leading the way in the rebuilding efforts"- Bob Stuart, RI Director.

FOLLOW UP NEWS...THE SUPPLIES ARRIVED!  THANKS TO CLUB PRESIDENT DR. HUGH CRAFT AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF ST. BERNARD PARISH FOR HELPING US DELIVER NEW YEAR'S "HOPE" TO BARBARA WARREN AND OUR FRIENDS AT ST. BERNARD MEDICAL CENTER!

SEE MORE PICS IN PHOTO GALLERY!