Dean Rock, of Cumberland, will give a talk about 3-D printed prosthetic limbs at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 30, at Skidompha Library’s Porter Meeting Hall, 184 Main St., Damariscotta.

Rock designs and prints prosthetic limbs for those in need, according to a news release from the library.

Upon retirement, Rock needed a hobby. Formerly a licensed substance abuse counselor in New Hampshire, Rock became a stay-at-home dad when his family moved to Portland for his wife’s medical residency. During this time, Rock began experimenting with 3-D printing in his basement, according to the release.

His drive to apply his new skill to practical causes lead him to an online forum for amateur 3-D printers, and a global network of passionate volunteers called “e-Nable.” This all-volunteer group creates open-sourced programs and templates for customized designs of 3-D printed prosthetic hands and arms. Rock backed a Kickstarter proposal for a 3-D printer, and with the availability of software from e-Nable and supplies ordered on Amazon, Rock transitioned from hobbyist to philanthropist, according to the release.

In 2016, Portland Rotary Club began looking for better prosthetics to fulfill its member organization’s international 3-H (Hearing, H2O and Hands) project. Serendipitously, Rotarian John Curran connected with Rock and a partnership ensued. Portland’s club, along with other neighboring Rotaries, enabled this collaboration to work through their combined interest, missions, and significant donations to the projects in Dominican Republican, according to the release.

Rock donates his time, energy, and materials to residents of the Dominican Republic in need of prostheses. He considers the impact he makes on recipients’ lives reward enough for his work.

Chats with Champions is a free community offering from the library. This program is sponsored by Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop.

For more information, call the library at 563-5513.