Sunday, January 8, 2023 Message from the President Dear Haddonfield Rotarian, We were honored to hear from Erik Montgomery, our mystery speaker, at  the last meeting.  His foundation has empowered many Camden children to discover the power of photography. He shared many of his photos, that provide visual portrayals of the Camden Renaissance and encouraged all of us to visit and appreciate how much Camden has changed. See more about him below. Keep those socks coming for the homeless shelters. We already have more than 100 pairs.   Please bring all your best jokes to this week's Club Forum. It’s time for some fun😊.  I am so thankful for your continuing  generosity. Yours in Rotary, President Cheryl  In Case You Missed It...   We had an inspirational speaker last week but unfortunately didn't receive his info in time for the Observer, so...  Erik James Montgomery is a self-taught fine arts photographer and CEO and founder of the EJMF Foundation, which creates photographic public art.  Growing up in the inner city of East Orange, NJ, where he saw many of his peers fall into the traps of crime, drugs, self-hate, and ultimately, death, Erik chose to delve into various genres of art including urban dance, graffiti, and eventually photography. After years of self-learning, Erik went on to study at the Academy of Art University and Columbia University. He especially focuses on helping adolescents use photography to overcome low self-esteem, unrealistic self image and sub-standard academic scores through workshops held at public schools, ​professional photography studios, correctional facilities, churches and community centers. A recent public art project celebrated the residents of Camden through "Camden Is... Bright, Not Blight," nearly 100 portraits captured and then adhered onto abandoned buildings throughout Camden. Underneath each portrait, the residents state what the city means to them, such as "Invincible," "Beautiful" and "Tenacious," as a way to beautify Camden with photographs of its beautiful residents. There's too much to share here and, as Erik says, "Photography is a powerful form of communication for me because it transcends all the barriers of language. I am able to speak to anyone in the world, about their world, in order to change the world.” View his photography at www.ejmphoto.com. Fore! The Foundation of the Rotary Club of Haddonfield's major fundraiser takes place on Sunday, February 26 at TopGolf in Mount Laurel. You can be part of it all as an attendee -- tickets are now on sale. You can become a sponsor of the event at several different levels. And, share the information with a potential sponsoring business or individual. Everyone who went last February had a blast!  Find tickets and sponsor info at https://www.haddonfieldrotary.org/Page/topgolf-2023  Be a Greeter Just visit this link on our website and use Sign-Up Genius to volunteer a few minutes before a weekly meeting. Especially great for new members! January 18:  Charleene Creed, Haddonfield Historical Society. January 25:  Carleton Montgomery, Pinelands Preservation Alliance. Rotary Club of Haddonfield P.O. Box 383 Haddonfield, NJ 08033 Doing Good and Having Fun Doing it! With much appreciation to our late editor emeritus, Bill Reynolds.   We meet Wednesdays 12:15-1:30pm (unless otherwise noted) Tavistock Country Club, Tavistock Lane, Haddonfield NJ  08033 Want to change how you receive these emails? Update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Have something for The Observer?  Send to baltake@comcast.net by Friday noon.

This email was sent to <<Email Address>> why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Susan Baltake · Haddonfield · Haddonfield, NJ 08033 · USA