Posted by Sue Foster

UNUSUAL BIRTHDAY GIFT

For her 60th birthday, Barb Mitges received a gift of $600 from Jennifer Hopkins, former Lincoln Rotarian to be given to a charity of her choice.  It just happens that Barb, while at the 2016 District Conference in Batavia, discovered District 7090's Gift of Life program and decided she wanted to support that charity.  This program brings children to the Children's Hospital in Buffalo and Sick Kids, (the Hospital for Sick Children), in Toronto for cardiac surgery.   Barb was struck by the faces on its brochure and the fact that, since 1996, our district's Gift of Life program has been able to save 44 children. 
Valerie Phillips-Bailey, a Caledonia Rotarian, and incoming GOL district chair - starting her term in July, attended the birthday celebration, held at Barb and George Mitges home to speak about the program and to receive Barb's cheque for $800. There are 67 Gift of Life programs throughout the world.  17,000 children from 67 countries have been treated as a result.   
 
Pictured (left to right) are Lincoln Rotarian, Jennifer Turner, club president, Valerie Phillips-Bailey and Barb Mitges.