MEDINA SUNRISE NEWS

Posted by David Lariviere

SERGIO NETO FROM BRAZIL PRESENTS EXPERIENCES OF

HIS ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT YEAR
IN MEDINA HIGH SCHOOL

Sergio Neto, from Londrina, Brazil, gave a fascinating Zoom presentation to Medina Sunrise Rotary about his experiences and adventures as a Senior at Medina High School with the Rotary Youth Exchange Student Program.

“During my Youth Exchange Year in Medina, I was proud to be a representative of my country, my family, and of Rotary," said Sergio. "The experience of following in my father's footsteps, who himself was an exchange student, has humbled me and filled me with an appreciation for every person, every friendship, and every opportunity which has come into my life. Every day became a new opportunity and a new adventure, which I happily shared with my new friends, teachers, coaches, Rotarians, and my Rotary host families -- the Vogelgesang and Takacs Families.

As my understanding of the English language and Medina grew, I dreamed of continuing my education and life here in Ohio. Along with other graduating Medina high school seniors, I sent in applications to colleges in America. My family in Brazil and Medina celebrated with me when I told them that I had received an acceptance letter from the University of Toledo - College of Engineering, which offers a co-op program, possibilities for entrepreneurship and commercialization, and hands-on opportunities for community engagement to prepare students to be practicing engineers and leaders in their fields. I shall enter the chemical engineering program as a freshman this August.

I learned always to say, "Obrigado -Thank you. Thank you to my parents. Thank you to my teachers and friends. And thank you to Rotary for helping make my dreams come true!"

CLUB DONATES WEEKENDER BAGS FOR CHILDREN TO FEEDING MEDINA COUNTY

"A HUGE THANK YOU to all who help to pack the Weekender Bags that go out weekly to about 1,000 children across Medina County," said an appreciative Sandy Hinkle, Executive Director of Feeding Medina County.

When you are packing this many bags, week-after-week, the cost of 16 cents for the actual bag can get very expensive. Most recently, the Medina Sunrise Rotary Club made a generous

donation of 50,000 bags to Feeding Medina County (FMC) for the Weekender Program. The bags that we use for Weekenders are specially designed to hold about 7-8 pounds of food. They have carry handles and are a stronger mill to resist tearing. This great gift from Rotary of 50,000 bags will last us for about a year's packings. The fact that FMC does not have to purchase bags for our Weekender Program for the next year provides us more money to purchase food that will fill these bags. I am so very appreciative to Medina Sunrise Rotary Club for this wonderful donation. This was an amazing way to help us provide for our children who depend on this bag of food every week!

Did you know that in Medina County one out of every five children comes from a home that struggles to make ends meet, and more importantly, struggles to have enough food? No child should ever have to experience hunger.

The annual cost of the Weekender for Children Program is approximately $150,000. Feeding Medina County receives some of its funding and volunteer support from Medina County United Way, Medina County Women’s Endowment, our wonderful Ohio Army National Guard,and community organizations like Medina Sunrise Rotary. All other money supporting the program is raised through fundraisers and through the generosity of individuals like you across Medina County.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND - FEEDING MEDINA COUNTY

Packing healthy meals for 1,300 Medina County School Children

Thank you to Medina Sunrise Rotary, our Ohio Army National Guard, the Medina County Sheriff's Department and all our hard working volunteers.