Posted by Craig Young on Jun 12, 2017
President Craig Young received the following email from PDG Meena Patel in regards to the Military Family Center. You may follow this LINK to view the powerpoint which was attached to her email.  PDG Meena writes:
 
 
"Dear Past Presidents, 
Rotary Clubs of R.I. District 6650,
 
This is PDG Meena Patel. I cannot thank you enough for your patience and your trust in me and my team in establishing Military Family Center for our veterans and their families. There were a total of 30 clubs, 28 from our district and 2 from India, whose support was invaluable in this Global Grant project.. 
 
If you all remember, as District 6650 Rotarians, we started serving Gold Star military families in 2012 and we went the extra mile with your resources to serve Blue Star families in 2013. And when we planned a Global Grant to establish a Military Center at Solid Rock with Equine therapy, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy and Clinical therapy, we faced an obstacle with Building Codes and had to postpone our grand opening in September 2015. We eventually need to look for another Riding Center and convince them about the importance of our project, then get them on board.
 
Our dream is coming true now. In fact the failure at Solid Rock turned out to be a blessing in disguise, in the sense that three reputable organizations are now coming together for this collaborative effort: Rotary District 6650, Pegasus Farm (For Equine Assisted Therapy), and Walsh University (other therapies).

All the equipment is provided through our Global Grant amounting to $112,940.00. Thanks to all of you.
 
Six other Foundations in the Stark County have come on board and will be contributing $1,000,000.00, the amount that will help to purchase the property and set up the center. Pegasus, being 501-C-3 entity, will own the property and will look after it, as well as oversee the Equine assisted program. Walsh University being involved is really the icing on the cake. We Rotarians, with our valuable resources, will always be there to support the center and continue to serve the veterans and the military families.
 
We will be in touch with more information for you. We will have a special open house for Rotarians as soon as the purchase of the property is completed.

I am enclosing a power point presentation of the project. Please thank all your club members. Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
With Warm Regards,
Thanking you again,
 
Meena Patel
Centennial District Governor,
Past DRFC Chair and Past Grants Chair,
Past Community Service Chair,
R.I. District 6650"