Events

Thomas Hankard, District 7930
Rotary Club of Belle Isle
 
Thomas Hankard joined the Rotary Club of East Boston-Revere in 2011 at the age of 27.
Tom served as Club President in 2013-14 and is a proud member of the resulting Rotary
Club of Belle Isle, serving East Boston, Revere, and Winthrop of which he was
instrumental in forming. He has also served as chair and secretary of the Belle Isle
Rotary Club Foundation.
In District 7930, Tom served as District Registrar for five years starting in 2015 after
being appointed to that role by his Rotary Mentor, the late Past District Governor
Robert C. Wood. Tom served as Governor's Aide to Past District Governor Terry
Rezendes Curran and served as an Assistant Governor for eight years starting in 2016
and was Assistant Governor Coordinator from 2019 to 2021. In addition, Tom has
served on the District Managed Grants, Visioning, Public Image, and Membership
Committees among others. He chaired multiple committees including the District
Conference, Polar Plunge, and Credentials and Balloting Committees. Tom has also
served as District Trainer.   
 
Tom is a proud graduate of Malden Catholic High School, which was named 'Best High
School in America' by US News and World Report while Tom was a student there. He
earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Secondary Education, summa cum
laude, from Merrimack College; and was also elected Class President. Later, he earned
his Master of Business Administration, with distinction, from Cambridge College. 
Professionally, Tom is the chief executive of a financial institution headquartered on the
North Shore which has experienced tremendous growth during his tenure. Prior to his
current role, Tom worked for several regional banks and credit unions specializing in
leadership and management, community outreach, relationship building, growth,
mortgage origination, and loan underwriting. Further, Tom was named a 'Credit Union
Hero' by "Banker and Tradesman." Tom has served on the boards of multiple non-profit
organizations, secondary schools, community and cultural groups, as well as several
regional Chambers of Commerce. 
 
Tom is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Rotary Foundation Major Donor, a member of
The Bequest Society, and also is a member of the Rotary International LGBT+
Fellowship.

Mode Andover is excited to prepare for our 3rd Annual Whoville Event at MODE Andover, located at One Dundee Park, Building One, Suite 6. This heartwarming event is a favorite among our volunteers and brings joy to every child who participates. We transform kids into little citizens of Whoville with wardrobe, hair, nails, and face painting. The day is filled with actors, a DJ, and plenty of holiday cheer, culminating in the Andover Santa Parade.

This enchanting event celebrates the spirit of Whoville, offering children and families an immersive experience filled with makeovers, movie screenings, a DIY hot cocoa bar, and more. As our event's popularity has grown, so has the opportunity to make a significant impact on our community.  

We are excited to announce that this year's Whobilation will continue its tradition of giving back to our community heroes. A portion of the proceeds from Whobilation will be donated to the Andover Firefighter's Relief Foundation. Your support will contribute to the wellbeing of those who tirelessly serve our community and ensure that their dedication is recognized and appreciated.

My name is Kristina Ploof and I am the Volunteer Recruiter for an amazing mentoring program called "Big Friends Little Friends". Similar to the "Big Brother Big Sister" model, this is a community-based program where mentors dedicate at least two hours a month to spend time with a young kid in our community. After being screened it, trained, and interviewed, our mentors are matched with a mentee who we think would be a great fit for them. As a student pursuing a master's degree in social work, I can't speak highly enough about this program and the benefits it has for children in need. Programs like ours make sure that kids are avoiding risky behaviors and, instead, feel motivated to excel in their lives. I look forward to connecting with you all about our program and am hopeful that some of you will join us in this great opportunity to give back to our Merrimack Valley community!

With over 30 years of experience as a business owner and consultant, combined with a 20-year teaching career as an Adjunct Professor of Business at Suffolk University (Boston), John has developed a deep and practical understanding of the financial, marketing, sales, operations, and human challenges that organizations face today.  

John is known for his unique ability to quickly assess an organization’s needs and work closely with leaders to implement strategic, tactical, and leadership initiatives that drive real results. His approach is rooted in both academic rigor and hands-on experience, earning him the nickname “prac-ademic.”  

John’s boundless energy and passion for excellence shine through in every interaction. He’s helped hundreds of individuals, teams, and organizations thrive in their industries by delivering insights with depth, clarity, and a people-centric, data-driven approach that consistently achieves desired outcomes.

John offers one-on-one and group coaching programs specifically designed for CEOs and business owners of small to medium-sized companies and non-profit organizations, guiding them toward success and sustainable growth

John Bottei is a Community Sponsorship and Engagement Specialist at Catholic Charities of Boston. He earned a Bachelor's degree in International Studies from Boston College with a concentration in Ethics and Social Justice. In his current role in the Refugee and Immigrant Services division, he connects community organizations and communities of faith with families served by the agency in eastern Massachusetts. These community sponsorship groups partner with Catholic Charities to provide companionship and support for a family in the transition to their new community, giving members an opportunity to empower the family as they move towards self-sufficiency. John is committed to accompanying those who are most in need in his community, and he strives to do so through his work. 

Vin was an Andover resident for over 30 years before moving to Salem, New Hampshire last May. He is widowed and has 3 children from 23 to 29 including the current JV basketball coach at Andover High (John), a doctor in physical therapy (Emily) and a recent graduate of Endicott College (Alex).

After a successful career in corporate America, Vin decided to combine two of his favorite hobbies – trivia and music to form his current company Trivia and Tunes. He designs and hosts trivia games made specifically for his audience with musical clues. His primary audience consists of senior centers and residences and he has hosted games for fundraisers, private parties, corporate events, organizations and schools. His most memorable game was a baseball opening day trivia game for Dana Farber fundraisers for over 200 people. This game was part of an on-line event highlighted by a Tim Wakefield Q and A session. People love his game as witnessed by his 99.8% satisfaction rate. To learn more, check out his web site at triviaandtunes.com.

Melissa Pennington is a dedicated advocate for youth, with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector. Throughout her career, she has championed initiatives that go beyond academics, focusing on enhancing opportunities for young people to succeed in all aspects of life. Melissa has spearheaded programs offering mentorship, life skills training, and extracurricular activities, fostering environments where youth can explore their full potential and build the confidence to pursue their dreams.

Her work has centered on bridging gaps in access to essential resources, particularly for those from marginalized communities. From partnering with local organizations to secure funding and create impactful outreach programs, to leading teams that mentor at-risk youth, Melissa’s leadership has consistently brought meaningful change.

Driven by a deep passion for social justice and equality, Melissa is committed to ensuring every young person she serves has the tools, support, and encouragement to thrive outside the classroom. Through her strategic vision and collaborative spirit, she continues to transform lives, one initiative at a time.

 Melissa currently serves as the Associate Program Director at Playworks, an organization dedicated to transforming children’s social and emotional health through the power of play. Playworks partners with schools to create safe, inclusive environments for play, where children can develop crucial skills like teamwork, conflict resolution, and leadership. Through structured recess programs, Playworks helps foster positive relationships and encourages physical activity, supporting students' holistic development.  

Join the team from Ironstone Farm to hear more about what's happening with the herd! We also have new volunteer opportunities!  This week's meeting will be at the Ironstone Farm location.  Members should use 456 Lowell Street, Andover MA as the address for their GPS (Different from the website which says 450 Lowell).  At the entrance are two stone pillars.  Once you pull in you can park anywhere in the lot - including the grass areas.   We will meet in the basement of the big brown farmhouse.  You can walk through the grass down to the basement entrance (door is under the deck).  We look forward to seeing everyone.

Dan Strollo, Executive Director – In Control Family Foundation - a nonprofit offering the nation's first state certified closed course, hands-on crash prevention training.

www.driveincontrol.org

Dan is a father of four with a background in the auto industry, marketing and construction.  He first learned of In Control back in 2006 and has led the organization for over 15 years, reaching 40,000+ students and saving countless lives in the process.  Today, his goal is to educate you on how dangerous driving has become and offer some tips to keep you and your family safer on our roads.

Common Man for Ukraine’s co-founders turned small-town New Hampshire heart into global impact, refusing to stand idly by after the February 2022 invasion. Without a clear path to help Ukraine’s children, the four volunteers reached out and built one. 

Inspired by our Plymouth Rotary Foundation's commitment to Service Above Self, our all-volunteer team efficiently and effectively partners with fellow Rotarians on the ground to deliver impactful relief programs for Ukraine's most vulnerable children.

With every humanitarian trip our co-founders lead, it becomes clear that the needs of Ukraine's children of war keep growing both in scope and complexity.

Starting with an effort to feed the children and heat their safe houses, the toll on their mental health became increasingly clear -- leading to the launch of our trauma counseling initiatives.

Aaron’s Presents is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that offers 1) hands-on, individualized mentoring, 2) materials/services, and 3) logistical help to any child in 8th grade or below who wants to carry out an idea that benefits at least one other person, animal, and/or the environment. We follow the children’s vision as they create and lead a memorable, meaningful, and fun experience by practicing kindness, empathy, and generosity.

In the process, the children discover the value of their ideas and unique qualities and their ability to make the world better exactly as they are at every age and stage. Ours is a new approach to “community service”, because we’re asking kids to start seeing giving not as an occasional obligation but as their larger purpose.

Leah Okimoto started Aaron’s Presents in January 2014 as a way to honor the memory of her son. At other phases of her life, she has composed music for musical theatre, run a legal recruiting firm, tutored and mentored kids, and volunteered at homeless shelters, hospitals, schools and meal kitchens. She graduated from Harvard University in 1998 and currently lives on the campus of Phillips Academy in Andover, MA with her husband and two daughters.

Top Notch Scholars positions inner-city youth for success based on the principles of Intentional Psychology, an approach that’s been effective in helping improve human performance & achievement.

Jemma Lambert has dedicated the majority of her career to public service in the municipal context. The deliberately public-facing nature of the work that underpins the work as Director of Equity & Engagement is of particular interest to Jemma whose professional and academic interests center on citizen engagement and in improving the safety net and quality of life for all in a given community.

Jemma has served as teaching faculty for Suffolk University, Dalhousie University and the University of Alberta where she has taught in the areas of Public Administration Professionalism, Citizen Engagement and Consultation, and Leadership and Decision-Making. Jemma’s work in Canada culminated in her authorship of the Citizenship Engagement curriculum for Canada’s National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration.    Jemma received her Bachelor’s degree in history and literature from Hampshire College and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Suffolk University.  

Jemma has had the pleasure of developing Leadership Academies in several municipalities; an initiative focused on connecting residents with their local government leaders. She considers this work to be profound and deeply rewarding.  Andover's Leadership Academy is an 12 week course designed to enhance townspeople's understanding of Town government operations and for municipal leaders and townspeople to learn from one another through conversation. The program is designed to advance understanding of and participation in civic affairs as well as to increase awareness of the challenges facing municipal government.

For the past seven years Andover Rotary has hauled in more money from a day of bell ringing for the Salvation Army than any other group in the Greater Lawrence area.

This year we go for our 8^th year. Our secret? Corny music and bad dancing.

On Friday, December 20, from 9:00 to 5:00, in front of Old Town Hall, come ring with us and drop some bills in the kettle.

Meet the Makers - The Heart Behind Pinch Dab Dash: 

Hi there! We’re Andrea and Eric, the founders of Pinch Dab Dash, and we’re thrilled to share our culinary journey with you. Like many of you, we found ourselves juggling busy lives and the familiar question, "What’s for dinner?" That’s when we realized the need for flavorful, easy-to-use solutions in the kitchen.

With Andrea’s extensive knowledge of cooking and her talent for replicating global flavor profiles, we’ve meticulously crafted our gourmet blends to bring the taste of classic worldly cuisine straight to your kitchen. At Pinch Dab Dash, we believe in gourmet made easy — that cooking should be an exciting adventure for everyone, whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience.

Our ready-to-use blends simplify the cooking process, allowing you to whip up delicious meals without the hassle of buying, measuring, and mixing individual spices. Each blend is a testament to our commitment to quality and flavor, designed to inspire your culinary creativity and help you feel confident in the kitchen, knowing that the perfect spice is at your fingertips.

We invite you to join us on this flavorful journey. Ask us questions, share your cooking stories, and let us be your trusted companions in the kitchen. Together, let’s make gourmet cooking simple, fun, and effortlessly delicious!

Essex Capital Partners was founded in 1995, and since its inception, has owned, developed and operated a portfolio of commercial properties in the greater New England region.

ECP’s first solar project was CRL Solar in White River Junction, VT, which entered commercial operations in 2012. Since that time ECP has successfully developed and capitalized 14 MWdc of solar projects in Massachusetts and Vermont.  As a family business and owner-operator, we take a long term view towards equipment and vendor selection, community relationships and sustainability. 

Brian Healey is an Owner/Founder of the Janz Corporation and the Janz International Foundation. Brian’s business focus has been with environmental safety, homeland security and healthcare. Brian was a former owner of California Products Corporation, where he created a successful subsidiary that was eventually purchased by Apollo Global. As an entrepreneur and inventor, Brian has started 6 companies and has also worked at Telemus (a Division of Raytheon) and Philips Healthcare, where he was the VP of Business Development/Government. Brian grew up overseas and graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Brian and his wife Fran live in North Andover. As a side interest, Brian has been a Volleyball Coach for elite high school girls for over 18 years.

Al Getler is a past president of the Andover Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow recipient. Al lived and worked in the Merrimack Valley serving as the publisher of the Eagle Tribune, Andover Townsman, and the creator of Andovers Magazine. Al will be speaking about what Rotary has meant to his life as he prepares to help a Vermont club reignite and to speak at a district conference in Ohio. Oh, and he'll have help from a friend.

James Moore has more than 30 years in the banking and mortgage arena, but today he will speak with us about his role as President of the Merrimack Valley Toastmasters.  Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person. In a supportive community or corporate environment, members prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback. It is through this regular practice that members are empowered to meet personal and professional communication goals. Founded in 1924, the organization is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado with approximately 270,000 members in more than 14,000 clubs in 150 countries. Learn how Toastmasters can help improve your public speaking and build leadership skills!

Andover High School students made a splash on the world stage recently after winning an international physics competition and being invited to a laboratory in Germany.

It all began at the start of the 2023-2024 school year when then-junior Richard Chen approached physics teacher Daniel Donovan with a lofty idea. Chen, a member of the Andover High School Physics Club, wanted to enter a group into Beamline for Schools, a challenging particle physics competition.

Last May, the team received news that it was one of the competition’s three winners and earned the team a trip to Hamburg, Germany to test their experiment.

Only the third team from the United States to win this competition, the team is bound for Germany in September 2024, excited for a unique two-week long learning experience that will serve Andover students in years to come.

 Nasser and Kathleen run Transmural Systems, a medical device company addressing structural heart failure.  Transmural Systems is a Clinical Stage Medical Device Company with a Platform of Innovative Transcatheter Electrosurgery and Heart Failure Therapies headquartered in Dundee Park in Andover. 

They have been residents of Andover since October 1997 and will share insights into the pioneering work that they and their team do every day, right in our back yard!

Monica is a strategic nonprofit leader developing comprehensive plans for inclusive, community-wide art and social impact projects. She effectively curates experiences and manages projects to ensure alignment with organizational values and mission.  Monica is the new Executive Director of the Essex Art Center and will oversee EAC’s mission and work to advance the Center’s education and exhibition programming and broaden its impact.