Wakefield Rotarians Attend World Peace and Understanding Event

The Wakefield Rotary Club participated in Rotary District 7930’s annual World Peace and Understanding event. Each year, the Rotary district takes aim at a local or international issue negatively impacting communities. This year’s event was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Danvers on Wednesday, February 28th with a focus on opioid addiction, treatment, recovery, and prevention. The event kicked off with a Showcase featuring thirty-two local exhibitors who offer services or provide information related to addiction. Methuen Police C.A.R.E.S. Initiative Coordinator Cole Welch explained, “We were able to network with other participants and widen our resources. There were several participants that I was not familiar with and by having this Showcase, I was able to meet with them directly and get information that is crucial in fighting the opioid epidemic and getting those in need the appropriate services required for recovery.”

The Showcase was followed by three speakers. Dr. Barry Ginsberg of Lahey Behavioral Health and Heidi Heilman, CEO of Adventi set the groundwork for attendees to understand the grip of addiction and the connection to mental health. Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan followed with describing the impact upon families who love someone suffering from addiction. Wakefield Rotary Club Vice-President Barbara Worley noted, “We already support Wake Up here in town. It was great to learn about other ways we can help end stigma and addiction.”

Rotary District Governor David Gardner followed up with an announcement that Lahey Health will sponsor up to ten matching mini-grants. Rotary District 7930 clubs are eligible to apply for the mini-grants aimed at beginning or expanding addiction-related projects in their home areas. Finally, an appeal was made for Rotarians to offer their vocational skills to these prevention, treatment, and recovery organizations to help them fulfill their mission. Kathleen McDonald from the Megan House Foundation commented, “It’s energizing to witness Rotary, an organization with such a wide network, looking to assist in ending the stigma for substance use disorder, and willing to learn and pitch in on prevention efforts, too.”

About Rotary International & Wakefield Rotary Club

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotarians in 160 countries worldwide. The first Rotary Club was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1905 by an attorney named Paul Harris and several of his colleagues. The name “Rotary” was derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among each of the members’ offices. The Rotary motto is “Service above self”. The Wakefield Rotary Club meets each Tuesday at noon at Harringtons on Water Street. For more information on the club's initiatives or to join the Wakefield Rotary Club, visit www.wakefieldrotaryclub.org or contact us at wakefieldrotaryclub@yahoo.com.