The Rotary Club of Norfolk’s December 5, 2023 program featured two perspectives about the relocation of Afghanistan citizens to the Hampton Roads region. Our two speakers were David Condron, a port engineer and volunteer with Afghan resettlement efforts, and Ahmad Aryan, an Afghan who fled his country in 2021 with his wife Shams.
When the government in Afghanistan fell in 2021, Afghans who had ties with American organizations had to quickly leave their country. Among them was Ahmad, an engineer who had worked with USAID programs.
David, who has helped Ahmad and Shams get settled, was among volunteers from Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church. He was curious about ways his congregation could assist Afghans entering our country. David’s church is one of 10 congregations in the area helping refugee families.
David visited Fort Pickett in Virginia, which housed 3,000 Afghans for several months but needed to close in January 2022. He connected with Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian humanitarian organization, helping congregations connect with
Afghans needing services.
Ahmad and Shams arrived in Hampton Roads in early 2022 and live in Chesapeake. David talked about ways civic groups like Rotary and individuals can go beyond donating money to help immigrants learn English, get driver’s licenses, open bank accounts, get children enrolled in school, find housing and secure jobs.
Ahmad explained how his office suddenly closed in 2021 after the government toppled. Turmoil and danger in his country led him to seek asylum in the United States. He and Shams flew on a crowded U.S. military plane to Dohar, Quatar and then Dulles International before spending five months in a Wisconsin refugee center. They relocated to Hampton Roads after being sponsored by a flight attendant they met on their plane who happened to live in Hampton Roads. Since arriving, Ahmad has secured a good job working on the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel expansion. He and his wife have welcomed a baby boy to their family and become involved in their community – even joining Norfolk Botanical Garden as members.
The Meeting
- Guests included Shams Aryan and four volunteers who work with Afghan refutes – Lynda Falkiner, Elizabeth Janik, Megan Padden and Gail Plauka.
- Gary Bonnewell and Hank Thompson were presented their blue badges. Hank also earned his first Paul Harris Fellow for his donations to the Rotary Foundation.
- On Giving Tuesday, our generous club members donated $7,550 to the Rotary Foundation.
- We celebrated December birthdays and Rotary anniversaries. Birthday Rotarians are Jim Tucker, John Ehehalt, LauraBeth DeHority, Joe Massey, John McLemore, Barbara Lifland, Tom Ambler, Angela Kerns, Jason Drane, Dianna Starkey and Bob Ash. Celebrating Rotary anniversaries in December are Bob Powell (42 years), Mark Shaw (38), John Searing (18), Chip Finch (18) and Clay Dills (3).
- Two service projects are coming up – Helping landscaping and staining a deck at a Habitat for Humanity home on December 7 at 8:30 a.m. and organizing toys for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Depot on December 9. Registration and details are on the club website.
- Rotarians have two upcoming holiday events to enjoy – a reception and Christmas Carol show at Virginia Stage Company on December 14 and a special luncheon on December 19 at Norfolk Yacht & Country Club. Both require early registration.
- The 2024 Suds & Buds party will be Thursday, May 16, and major sponsors have been secured with several returning from last year.
Happy Bucks
- Lois Kercher is happy the Old Dominion University Women’s Basketball team has won all seven of its games this season.
- George Campo is happy his company Compo Construction won Contractor of the Year for 2023 in our region.
- Sharon Laderburg is thrilled her daughter has moved back in the United States from the Caribbean.
- Chip Vogan is happy his son William recently married in New York and Chip has gained a daughter-in-law.
- Linwood Beckner is happy his son-in-law Joey Weinstein now works at TowneBank.
- Bob Batcher enjoyed a sell-out crowd to hear his daughter, Amanda, sing with Tidewater Winds.
- Laurie Harrison Is happy Kay Stine has won a Woman of Business Achievement award for 2023. Her dinner is set for December 11 at The Westin, Virginia Beach Town Center.
