Making Connections in a Diverse Community

This year the Lions Clubs International and the International Rotary Foundation both reach their centennial milestone. Challenged with giving a “gift” to the town in commemoration of 100 years, these two clubs have joined together to celebrate the diversity of Sharon. While both clubs knew how diverse and special the Town of Sharon truly is – it is amazing just how many connections with individuals and groups we have made these past eleven months.

Throughout the year, presentations about this joint project and the idea for the gift of the banners that can now be seen hanging throughout the center of town were made to: AM790 WPRV Radio, Providence – “Service Matters”; the Lions District 33-K; the Rotary District 7950; the Sharon Administrator Fred Turkington; the Sharon Adult Center and Council on Aging; the Sharon Board of Selectmen; Sharon Community Television; the Sharon DPW/Forestry and Grounds Division; the Sharon Fire Department; the Sharon High School Administration – Jose Libano and Mickey Hughes; the Sharon Men’s Club; the Sharon Police Department; the Sharon Pluralism Network; the Sharon Recreation Department; and the Sharon School Superintendent Tim Farmer. Their support, questions, and ideas helped us to develop the project and the banners!

In addition, there have been a number of members of the following groups who have joined Lions and Rotary members at our project meetings: the Indian American Association of Sharon; the Sharon Chinese Association; the Sharon Cultural Council; the Sharon Interfaith Action Group; the Sharon Muslim Community; the Sharon Pluralism Network; the Sharon Russian Community; and the World Food and Music Toastmasters. The conversations and willingness of so many of the members of these groups to step up, lead committees, and join us in planning of our big event - A Taste of Sharon’s Diversity - has been amazing!

And as we finalize details for the May 21 event, we have received additional support from: the Cottage Street School Cultural Festival Committee; the Sharon Elementary Schools’ Foreign Language Coordinator; the Sharon High School A/V Department; the Sharon High School Band Director; and the Sharon High School Foreign Language Club.

With so many connections, make sure to mark your calendars now for A Taste of Sharon’s Diversity, an event to be held at the high school on Sunday, May 21 from 4:00-8:00 PM. This is sure to be a celebration of Sharon’s diversity to be enjoyed by all ages. Local restaurants will offer a taste of foods from around the world while guests enjoy some international music. Spend the afternoon enjoying multi-cultural music and dance performances, a glorious display of full-sized flags, a cultural arts fair by the high school’s foreign language students, the Sharon Pluralism Network’s photo exhibit entitled Sharon’s Many Traditions, and take a chance on a raffle of baskets full of ethnic foods and products.

The Sharon Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Sharon truly hope you enjoy our gift to you. We are so thankful for the support of the Town of Sharon’s Board of Selectman, the town and school administrators and a special thank you to our major sponsors who made this possible: Herb Chambers Lexus, Sharon Credit Union, Dedham Savings Bank, Eastern Bank, The Kinraide Family Foundation, Republic Services and Staples.

For questions or to get involved or to learn more about how you might donate a basket for the raffle, please contact co-chairs Eileen Cohen at erc1@comcast.net or Dave Clifton at diclifton@comcast.net.

If you would like to be a supporting patron of this wonderful celebration, please send your tax-deductible donation to Sharon Celebrates Diversity, P.O. Box 114, Sharon, MA 02067. Checks should be made payable to The Rotary Club of Sharon Charitable Fund with a memo noting “Sharon Celebrates Diversity”. Any amount will be most appreciated. Let us know if you wish to be included.

Stay up to date with all that is happening by visiting and liking us on Facebook @SharonMA.Lions.Rotary and stay tuned to Sharon Community TV for updates on the diversity celebration.