Founded by the late Rotarian Bob Raiche, Friends Forever, Inc. promotes and focuses on peace and the development of leadership skills in youth from diverse cultures. Following a 22-year tradition of support, the Marblehead Harbor Rotary recently hosted a day-long visit by a group of 16-and 17-year old Friends Forever participants and their chaperones. This year’s participants were from Northern Ireland where there are still opportunities for peaceful solutions and the growth of community in areas formerly divided by religious differences.
The day began with a cruise around Marblehead Harbor, courtesy of Capt. Doug Mentuck of the Elizabeth M. During the cruise, Past President and Town Historian Don Doliber provided a history-filled commentary. Upon docking, the group walked to Crocker Park to view artist Beverly Seaman’s Winslow II life-sized harbor seal sculpture, and Past President Linda Doliber shared a brief story about Andre, the harbor seal who returned yearly to Marblehead to the delight of townsfolk.
A luncheon, catered by Every Little Breeze Catering Inc., at the Masonic building followed, after which the group performed a service project led by a representative of The Chemo Bag Project of NH and MA. FF participants filled bags supplied by The Chemo Bag Project with personal care items, warm caps and socks, water bottles, word search books, lip balm and other items that will provide comfort to patients receiving chemo and radiation therapy.
Next, it was on to The Marblehead Little Theater where MLT’s Youth Program Director Alma Mahon Paige led an active series of improv prompts with the FF youths. The exercises were designed to encourage teamwork, creativity, humor, and confidence. Ending the day’s program, two of the FF participants spoke movingly about their plans to improve their communities upon returning home.
At 4:00 p.m. a tired but energized group entered the FFI van for the ride back to the FF NH campus, leaving Marblehead Harbor Rotarians enriched by a day of new friendships, service, and another fabulous international experience.