New Member Recommendation - Lynn Staples
|
Stories
|
|
The Annual Holiday PartyClick here to register for The Annual Holiday Party: bit.ly/arc7430.  |
Scoliosis Surgery for Sustainable Cambodia Student, Sok Yi
|
Rotary District 7430 Day of Environmental Service!Rotary District 7430 Day of Environmental Service! Yesterday, the Emmaus Rotary Club and Rotary Club of Allentown completed a joint service project. The day included planting native species in the public access parking area as the first leg of the Wildlands Black River Sanctuary Preservation Project! The 180-acre Black River Sanctuary, located just northeast of Emmaus, PA, is unique in many ways. It contains the headwaters for three different watersheds, has the exposed “spine” of the south mountain, numerous wetlands, meadows, and forests; is home to hundreds of different species from butterflies to bears and all located within minutes of the cities of the Lehigh Valley. Parking areas will incorporate aspects that are designed to have the smallest impact as possible and enhance the conservation values of the property. The parking areas will incorporate the use of native plants as buffers and visual cues that will delineate the limits of the lot as well as demonstrate the values of native plantings in the landscape. *Click the story for more photos*     |
Read Across America at Union Terrace Elementary School
The Allentown Rotary Club will be assisting with Read Across America Day on Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at Union Terrace Elementary School, 1939 Union St, Allentown, PA 18104. Please email Magan DePrefontaine, the Community School Coordinator, directly at deprefontainem@allentownsd.org with the time slot that you are interested in. The spreadsheet below shows the current available times. Please email Megan directly to secure your time slot. You may bring a book or use one that will be available at the school. The students look forward to this every year and will be happy to see new faces! Contact Lisa Luciano (LLuciano@ambk.com) or Magan DePrefontaine (deprefontainem@allentownsd.org) with any questions.   |
Join Us at our Winter Happy HourClick here to register for this event. If you are a member and don't know your password, register as a guest.  |
Hurricane Ian Cleanup - Volunteers from Across the USA Last week i had the opportunity to spend two day volunteering in the Heights section of Ft Myers, working alongside volunteers from San Diego, Houston, Missouri, Harrisburg and elsewhere. We completely emptied the houses, then tore out the plasterboard and floorings down to the cinderblocks, studs and the foundations, then sprayed the property for mold. Special shout outs to Houston, TX for sending their disaster trailer full of equipment, to the Disaster Aid USA husband and wife couples whom I worked alongside on Thursday and to Rev. James and Dr Rolando from Frontline Missions who worked with me on Friday. During the volunteer orientation before we began work, the work crew coordinators explained that the Heights is an area of about 1,400 residents with a median income of $26,000, according to the Census. Nearly half of the people live below the poverty line, which makes rebuilding after a hurricane daunting and difficult without help. As these pictures show, they are starting over again from scratch. Many of their cinderblock homes were originally built by Habitat for Humanity, In the 40 years that these homes have been there, 4.5 miles from the Gulf, they've never before been flooded. Fortunately, no one in the Heights section perished in the flood. Neighbors were saving neighbors, picking them up in boats, kayaks and even wave runners before taking them to the 3rd floor of the Heights Community Building.   Across all of Lee County, there are approximately 14K houses like this who have requested help from work crews to prepare their homes for rebuilding. Priority is being given to those who are most in need. At the first home where we worked, the elderly couple who were the owners, sat outside their house, eating a donated meal, watching as we stripped their house down to the studs, carrying doors, sinks, cabinets, everything out to the curb for pickup. Donated hot meals were prepared and served to the community and the volunteers at the Heights Community Center. There was even someone who brought a generator with clothes washers and dryers to provide this free service to those who needed it. This was the second time in my life that I have witnessed and worked on cleanup efforts firsthand after the devastation of a hurricane - the first time was the flood waters of the Susquehanna River in Wilkes Barre in 1972. Fifty years later I've seen it again. I hope I never do again.   Pictured above is the "Free Laundry" truck and to the left is Rev James wearing a t-shirt that reflects the spirit of the homeowners and the volunteers - REBUILDING TOGETHER Hurricane Ian 9/28/22 |
|
Learning About Refugee ResettlementKate Woodward serves as the Community Engagement Specialist for Bethany Christian Services in the Lehigh Valley, and in that role, Kate focuses her efforts on refugee resettlement. Bethany Christian Services is a non-profit corporation which, as part of its charitable mission, serves as a resettlement agency. To facilitate that resettlement process, Kate develops partnerships with community groups, faith-based organizations, and individual volunteers. At last Friday's meeting Kate addressed our Club on the timely subject of refugee resettlement, including who qualifies as a refugee, the role of non-profit resettlement agencies in the resettlement process, and the role of community groups and faith-based organizations in assisting in that process. Kate explained how Allentown Rotary and other clubs can help refugee families resettle in the Allentown area. Contact Bethany via email or phone: 215-478-3668. During her talk, Kate mentioned that many local companies hire the refugees and provide help. She highlighted LVHN for its help providing jobs, training, transportation, and benefits to refugees working there.  |
STEM YEA Report - March 2022ALLENTOWN ROTARY CLUB STEM YEA TEAM – CLUB REPS Julie Ambrose, Tim Price, Rolf Schlake and Mike Orbin. Others interested in getting involved should contact Mike Orbin.  FOUNDERS CLUBThe Ambler Rotary Club and Warminster Rotary Club have joined Founders Club contributing monies for the 1st year STEM YEA startup costs. There are 20 Clubs from our District in the Founders Club. RECRUITMENT AND ORIENTATION OF CLUB REPS Several Club Rep orientation sessions have been held during January and February. Topics reviewed included STEM YEA Student Registrations, Business Fund Raising, and Volunteer recruitment and requirements. Currently, there are 27 Club Reps. YOUTH PROTECTION (YP) STEM YEA Team members involved with the administration and registration of students have begun the District's Youth Protection Clearance application process. Once the District announces it can accept other YP applications, we will inform STEM YEA Academy Volunteers to begin the YP Process. STUDENT REGISTRATIONS STEM YEA has reached out to the Clubs in the District to find out if the Club will be sponsoring students and the number they are planning to sponsor to this year's STEM YEA Academy. We asked for this information by MARCH 1st. Our plan for this first year was to allow each Club to sponsor 2 students. Knowing that not every Club may want to participate this year, if we do not get a response from a Club by MARCH 1st, we will open up that Club's 2 seats to other CLUBS that would like to sponsor more than 2 students, with the Founders' Clubs having priority for additional seats. Clubs have confirmed over 60 student sponsorships to date. Student registration documents are requested to be completed and submitted by APRIL 1st to STEM YEA Administrative Team. Our Allentown Club is sponsoring 4 students. Currently Julie Ambrose is working with the Allentown School District Middle Schools |
Allentown Rotary Club Announces 2022 GRANT APPLICATIONS
|
ARC 2022 Committee GoalsAt the January Board meeting, Club executives and committee chairs shared the following goals for the next 6 months: President Goals:
Membership committee’s top goals:
Public Image goals:
|
Foundation Gala and Recognition Dinner Foundation Gala and Recognition Dinner Saturday , March 5 2022 5:30-pm-10:00pm William Penn Inn, Gwynedd, PA Food,fellowship, entertainment,recognition, auction,games.. Come Support Our Foundation! |
Life, Rotary and the 4 Way TestFor some of us, Life is a walk in the park, for other’s it’s a sprint to the finish, and still others view it as a marathon, a time to be prepared, to conserve one’s energy, and take a long look toward the future. As Rotarians we recognize that life is not always fair, and it’s up to us to assert ourselves to help those who may not have had the advantages we have enjoyed. The Four-Way Test challenges us to become better and more conscious members of humanity. It asks: Is it the Truth? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
|
10 REASONS TO JOIN ROTARY1. Friendship: In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship. It is one of two reasons why Rotary began in 1905. 2. Business Development: The second original reason for Rotary’s beginning is business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross-section of every business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others. 3. Personal Growth and Development: Membership in Rotary continues one’s growth and education in human relations and personal development. 4. Citizenship in the Community: Membership in a Rotary club makes one a better community citizen. The average Rotary club consists of the most active citizens of any community. 5. Continuing Education: Each week at Rotary, |
Advancements in Care for Alzheimer's Patients - "The 36-Hour Day" Dr. Paula Jacobus, a Geriatric Medicine Specialist at the Fleming Memory Center of LVHN, gave an enlightening presentation on Alzheimer's Disease at last Friday's meeting which ignited an energetic Q&A after her talk.Dr. Jacobus started by explaining the difference between Alzheimer's and Dementia, which is an umbrella term for impairments affecting these areas:
Although there is no cure for Dementia, there are two FDA approved drugs that are often prescribed. Dr. Jacobus explained that although there are many supplements on the market which claim to help prevent Dementia, but there is insufficient evidence for their effectiveness. The doctor went on to say that she believes care giver education is one of the most effective ways to help Alzheimer's patient and she specifically mentioned the book "The 36-Hour Day" as an excellent resource. |
Kati's LaBuda Accepts the Presidential GavelAt the Club's June 26th Zoom meeting, Don Wieand passed the "virtual gavel" to Kati LaBuda to signify the beginning of Kati's year as President of Allentown Rotary. Here is Kati's acceptance talk: 2020-2021 Rotary Year Thank you Don for all of your hard work this past year. As some of you have seen the theme for this coming Rotary year is “Rotary Opens Opportunities” I would like our club to be able to help create lasting change in our community and in ourselves. Some of the goals that I would like to accomplish in this upcoming Rotary year is that we become more engaging and inclusive. What’s important to me in Rotary? It’s a question that we can all ask ourselves and answer. For me, it is friendship, fellowship, and service. We are currently meeting via Zoom and will continue to do so as long as necessary. The safety for our members due to COVID-19 is my top priority. I want to make sure that everyone is comfortable with how we conduct meetings, have fellowship events, and work in the community with our service projects. I do realize that some of this is not ideal for everyone. So I challenge each and every one of you to reach out to a fellow member that we have not seen or heard from recently. I’m sure they will welcome your phone call, email, or mail.
|
Interact Students InteractOfficers of the Dieruff High School Interact Club attended our November 15th lunch meeting to talk with us about their projects and their views of Rotary. Here they are in their own words:  L to R: Interact Moderator Rachel Stevens, Daniel Jerez, Dannica Mitchell, Bailey Antipas and Samatha Juarez with Rotary President Don Wieand in the back. All of the Dieruff students are seniors. Daniel, Treasurer: "I joined the club my junior year as a way to impact my community in a productive manner." Dannica, Secretary: "I have been a member of this club since my junior year. This club has not only helped me become a better person but has taught me how to be selfless...I want to help people and be apart of something bigger than myself." Bailey, President: "I joined my junior year and since then have learned that life is full of opportunities to help others and that you should always try to commit acts of kindness and selflessness." Samatha: "I joined my junior year because I enjoy helping others and contributing to the community. This club has helped me become a better leader and aided me with productively interacting with others. I am positive that Interact will be even more successful this year with the dedicated members we continue to get at our monthly meetings" |
TedX Lehigh Valley this Friday
This week's speaker is Lisa Getzler-Linn, Executive Director of the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Innovation at Lehigh University. She will tell us all about TEDxLehighRiver, an independent licensed presenter of TED events in the Lehigh Valley. A co-founder of TEDxLehighRiver, Lisa serves as curator and speaker coach. She was named a Lehigh Valley Business Women of Influence and is the recipient of Lehigh University's Hillman Award for her major impact on advancing the role of entrepreneurship at Lehigh. Learn more at https://www.tedxlehighriver. |
ARC IN THE NEWS |
Rotary Service & Safari in Zambia
|
The New Allentown: Booming and Connected with an Upward ProjectoryOn a cold day in the year 2000 a crowd stood on Allentown’s Hamilton Street and watched as Hess’s Department Store building was smashed to pieces by a wrecker’s demolition ball. Some cried, some cursed, others just turned their backs and walked away in disgust. I know because I was there. The death of Allentown? It might have felt that way to some, but they were wrong. Today there is probably as much building and activity and people downtown downtown as there was back in the 1920s. Towers of glass and steel, office and apartment buildings seem to rise on every corner, but with coordinated architectural design, population planning, urban forecasts and green space planning, it all bodes well for the future of Allentown. The latest contribution in the office building category is the ADP building at the southeast corner of 8th and Hamilton Streets. It even has a 20 by 30 foot high “living wall” with a water supply that creates a tropical jungle effect making it very unique not just in the Lehigh Valley, but throughout the northeast.  At the August 23rd meeting the Allentown Rotary Club, a capacity crowd filled the Bell Hall meeting room to hear Jane Heft describe the changes that are shaping the new downtown. She addressed the "behind the scenes" planning behind redevelopment through the Neighborhood Improvement Zone and City Center Lehigh Valley.Since 2011 Heft has served as City Center Investment Corporation’s Vice President, Director of Project Design and Corporate Branding, leading the company’s branding, building design and integration. She is also Principal of her own design firm, enze, with more than 100 design awards. She most recently designed the identities of the new PPL Center, Miller Symphony Hall and Bethlehem’s Steel Stacks complex. Heft noted that Center City Development has been pleasantly surprised at how fast the residential arm of development took off. “We cannot build residential property fast enough,” she said. “They lease out faster than we can build them,” she says. She stated that it is not just young people moving in fueling this boom. “Empty nesters,” senior citizens and others who are downsizing, are also an important cross-section of the new residents. Heft described how the new buildings and businesses along with the migration of residents to downtown Allentown are countering the negative impact of the malls which began back in the 70s.  Among the projects in the works are a new apartment building, |
Young Africa Comes to Allentown - Lehigh FellowshipIt was a spirited and interesting meeting of the Allentown Rotary Club on July 26th that welcomed the members of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. An overflow crowd filled ARC’s meeting space at Allentown’s Bell Hall to hear the 25 fellowship students currently part of the program that are attending Lehigh University. Long time ARC member Jim Harper, director of University Relations at Lehigh and long involved with its Global Village program arranged the visit of the fellowship members. Also present was Trisha Alexy, Administrative Director of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. The fellowship, named for the late South African leader Nelson Mendela, is part of the U.S. State Department’s Young African Leaders Initiative, a program that empowers young people through academic course work, leadership training and networking. Over 700 students from Sub-Saharan Africa honed their skills in areas like Business, Civic Engagement of Public Management at U.S. educational institutions this year.
This SMILE writer got to talk to one young fellowship member Tom Edison Shilongo, a citizen of Namibia.Located in coastal southwest Africa it was a German colony until World War I when the League of Nations placed it under the control of South Africa who governed it under its oppressive apartheid laws. “I can speak fluent Afrikaans,” |
Marci's Change-over and Year End MessageOn Friday, our club will recognize 25 Rotarians with 25 or more years of service to the Allentown Rotary Club. Twenty of those members, including three with more than 50 years service– Jim Harper, Don DeLorenzo and David Bausch, have promised to be with us for a very special luncheon program. What better way to end this Rotary year themed “Be the Inspiration” than in the company of these Allentown Rotarians who have lived Rotary values for decades. We will also celebrate those inspiring club members whose contributions earned us a District Governor “Be the Inspiration” Award for 2018 - 2019. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as your President. I will officially pass the gavel to Don Wieand at Friday evening’s “changeover dinner.” Don’s tenure will be guided by Rotary’s new theme “Rotary Connects the World,” and I have promised him that I will continue to help our club make connections in the new year.
Last week the Smile announced a new way that we will Connect the World beginning this summer – “Next Gen Coffee & Connections.” Going forward, the Allentown Rotary Club will offer two alternative monthly meetings– a breakfast for coffee and idea sharing – and a monthly networking and happy hour along the lines of those we have enjoyed from time to time over the past two years. I’m looking forward to supporting Don, membership chair Kati LaBuda and Katie Walter, who have volunteered to help us launch these new initiatives. Here’s a toast to all of you who will “Be the Inspiration” and help the Allentown Rotary Club “Connect the World” in the year to come! |
ARC IN ACTION: Allentown Rotary Foundation Grants AwardedFifth graders don’t usually get a chance to address a room full of adults, especially if they are adults they don’t even know. But that’s what Justin Gonzales Torres of Allentown’s Union Terrace Elementary School was called on to do on June 7th at the Allentown Rotary Club’s meeting when they met to award ARC’S Rotary Foundation. And he did it well. With teachers and others standing nearby Justin thanked ARC for providing a grant to help the school make outdoor playground improvements including the addition of Buddy Benches, places where newcomers to his school who are lonely can make friends more easily. “It can be intimidating on the first day as recess to find people to play with,” he said reading his prepared address. “We want to make a safe place for students who are feeling down. They can go to the benches if they need friends to play with …to help kids feel like Union Terrace is a safe and welcoming school and to help prevent bullying on are school playground.”
Pictured above are Pastor Liz Martinez & Ingrid Moore, Church of the Mediator, representing the Teen Healthy Chef program, with ARC President Marci Schick. The ARC program was chaired by member Judy Barberich-Brogan. The members of the grant committee were Ibi Balog, Wendy Body, Tom Brogan, Larry Campbell, Kathy Frazier, John Hannis, Amy Meleck and Don Wieand.
This year the grants were awarded to the following organizations: Episcopal Church of the Mediator: For Teen Health Chef program at William Allen High School. Lehigh Carbon Community College: For Adult Literacy Project. Allentown Art Museum: For Middle School Summer Arts Camp. Salvation Army: For backpack and supplies for the back to school program. Good Shepherd: For Outpatient Pediatric Adaptive Video Game Program. Pictured above right: Deirdre Govan, Salvation Army
|
Second Harvest GardensTom Christman, Ken Kirshner, and Mike Orbin represented the Allentown Rotary Club at the Second Harvest Gardens project this past Saturday. Along with Rotarians from Allentown West, Emmaus, Slatington, and Whitehall Rotary Clubs, the volunteers assembled planting boxes which will be used to grow vegetables for Second Harvest distribution to needy families. This activity is part of the Second Harvest Food Garden Project co-funded by 5 Rotary Clubs in Area 1 of District 7430 with a matching Grant from District Funds. Each of the 5 Clubs donated $500 with the District matching $2,500 for this joint project. Top soil and seeding will be added at a later date. Here are several photos of our volunteers at work - click below for more:   |
October - Rotary Foundation MonthRotary International has designated November as “Rotary Foundation Month.” Do you know what the Rotary Foundation is? Why it is important? Who benefits from it? How local Clubs, like ours, can request Foundation monies to help leverage Club monies designated for meaningful and sustainable local or international Club projects. Why it is important for us, as a Rotarians, to support it. In this short article and forthcoming articles we will learn more about The Rotary Foundation (also known as TRF ) and explore these important topics. Also, we will hear from several members of our Club as to why they contribute to TRF. Arch C. Klumph, the father of the Rotary Foundation said: “The Rotary Foundation is not to build monuments of brick and stone. If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work on brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds…we are engraving on those tablets something that will brighten all eternity.” The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is the charitable arm of Rotary. Without the Foundation, Rotary could not do the humanitarian work it does, locally and world-wide. The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is a non-profit that is supported solely by voluntary contributions (not Rotary dues) from Rotarians, like you and me, and friends of TRF who share its vision of a better world. Its sole mission is to support the efforts of Rotarians through Rotary’s mission, and the achievement of world understanding and peace through local, national and international humanitarian and educational programs in our local community and around the globe. The Rotary Foundation (TRF) was created in 1917 by Rotary International’s sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary “to do good in the world.” It has grown from an initial contribution in 1917 of $26.50 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri to having assets of more than $1 billion, today. The Rotary Foundation (TRF) spends charitable contributions on multiple programs and grants. It made its first grant of $500.00 to the International Society for Crippled Children in 1930. In the last 100 years it has spent $3 billion in total contributions on life-changing, sustainable projects. For the 11th consecutive year, the Foundation has been ranked as one of the best charities, earning a 4 star designation, the highest level designated by Charity Navigator. 91% of the funds are spent directly on programs. The Rotary Foundation receives contributions into the Annual Fund, the Endowment Fund and the PolioPlus Fund. The Annual Fund and the Endowment Fund are also known as the SHARE System.The Annual Fund is the primary source of funding for a broad range of local and international Rotary projects, from digging clean water |
Make a LifeThe Rotary Foundation WE MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT WE GET, BUT WE MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT WE GIVE. Winston Churchill In April we have a Friday meeting speaker from the District, Bill Erdman, who will talk about The Rotary Foundation. Please plan to attend. |
2019 Grant Applications
|
NEW CEDAR CREST COLLEGE PRESIDENT, Elizabeth Meade: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women LeadersWhen Dr. Elizabeth Meade, the 14th president of Cedar Crest College, spoke to Allentown Rotary at its November 16th meeting, she explained how she first recognized the importance of women’s educational institutions. It was when she was a high school student. Meade was 17 years old and frustrated by what she felt was the male oriented focus of her school. “Everything at the high school seemed devoted to the boys,” she recalled. Convinced that she wanted a different way for herself after graduation, she decided to attend Bryn Mawr College, a women’s educational institution of long standing in Pennsylvania. She noticed a real difference right away. “This was for me,” she recalls thinking.
Meade took to the academic life and thrived there getting her degree in German language and literature from Bryn Mawr and a M.A. and Phd. In philosophy from Boston College. She came to Cedar Crest as a member of the faculty in 1993 and has served as head of the Department of Humanities, assistant provost in 2011, provost in 2013, and has been interim president since 2017 before being appointed to her current position following her predecessor Carman Twillie Ambar, |
TALK’IN ABOUT MY GENERATION - NextGens ARC Hears from four new members about how we can attract and grow our organization and attract more young members to Rotary.“Where is Rotary going? Rotary is going to lunch.” So quipped George Bernard Shaw, renowned British playwriter and curmudgeon in 1922, when the Rotary phenomenon was sweeping the United Kingdom. In his way Shaw got to the root of a problem that persists today. Rotary is well known in many countries now particularly in Latin America, Africa and Asia making it truly international in its outreach and membership. Its efforts to wipe out polio have been reported on in numerous publications. But in the 21 st century in the country that gave it birth, most young people, if they have any impression of Rotary at all it is as a group of “mature” people who get together once a week to eat lunch and listen to a speaker. The Allentown Rotary Club has been around for over 100 years. But while it honors that past it recognizes that to thrive it has to attract new younger members that will reflect the changing world. At their September 28th meeting ARC members and guests got to hear from four of its new members, T. J. Schick, Jason Worley, Lisa Luciano and Kari Ryerson. This panel of young professionals was moderated by ARC member Ethel Drayton-Craig. She asked |
ARC HEARS ABOUT THE CRIME OF HUMAN/SEX TRAFFICKINGSome people still think that human trafficking can’t happen here. But anyone who attended the Allentown Rotary Club meeting on Friday September 14, quickly learned that it is in the Lehigh Valley and growing. This message came Tashina Khabbaz of VAST, Valley Against Sex Trafficking. K habbaz is a graduate student currently working toward her M.A. in Education at Lehigh University. She first became interested in She has since served with them for many years.
VAST is a non-profit organization aimed at uniting and empowering individuals in the Lehigh Valley to encourage the eradication of sex trafficking in our region. It has a plan that involves three approaches: awareness, action and aftercare efforts.Human trafficking takes many forms around the world she notes. It is defined by the United Nations, in part, as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer harboring or receipt of persons by means threat of force or other forms of coercion." It includes "forced labor, sex trafficking, bonded labor, debt bondage among migrant laborers, involuntary, forced child labor and child soldiers.” Khabbaz pointed out the network of “johns,” men looking for sex and “pimps” the middleman that exploit the vulnerable young women that are the objects of the sex trafficking. She pointed out that the pimps |
More Music - "Teach Your Children Well"This week's selection and music video is "Teach Your Children Well" from Crosby, Stills and Nash comes from Amy Meleck. This video is from a live, acoustic performance - here's why she chose this song: I love this song because the acoustic guitar playing of the group is so sweet and the lyrics are so meaningful, reminding me of my parents for whom I played this song in 1970 on their stereo because they gave me a “code to live by”. Written by Graham Nash (actually he wrote it for the Hollies, who never recorded it.)  “You who are on the roadMust have a code that you can live by And so become yourself Because the past is just a good bye. Teach your children well, |
Music ChoiceThe reason I suggested this particular song is because I think it reflects both the determination, the urban nature of the city residents. The chorus is a kind of anthem of pride and rediscovery. I think it encompasses what is happening in Downtown Allentown, not always neat and pretty but not willing to idle it's engines. ~ Nan
|
Spreading the Good News about Allentown RotaryThroughout the coming year, we will share information about what your Committees are doing "behind the scenes" - let's start with the newly formed Communications and Public Relations Committee. Although no meetings have been held yet, lots of hours are invested every week in external and internal club communications, Here are some highlights: Social Media: • Facebook "reach" was up over 500% during the last month - the Romper Day and Allentown Band posts were the big reasons for this jump. To further extend our impact, we encourage members to "Share" our Allentown Rotary posts on their personal timelines. "SHARE A SMILE" - it is much more powerful than just a LIKE! The Facebook stats below show how we are extending our message, "#People of Action" far beyond our Friday meetings and project days!
Thanks to Chris Bauder and Ethel Drayton-Craig for providing |
Rotary Welcomes Allentown Band's Mr. Music, Ron DemkeeOk here is the question, what band is the oldest civilian community concert band in the country? Give up? Well, times up. It’s the Allentown Band which celebrates its 190th birthday this year. That was on July 4, 1828 folks. Andrew Jackson would replace John Quincey Adams in the White House, Noah Webster published the first edition of his dictionary and in far off Vienna 31year old music great Franz Schubert would meet an untimely end,
Demkee, who is in his 41st year in his current post began his career with the Allentown Band as a tuba soloist in 1964 and was elected conductor in 1977. Ron began by a general overview of the band’s roots. The oldest conductor’s photo that Ron could find |
This Week's Song - Jamie KratzPast President Jamie Kratz submitted this week's suggestion for favorite song of the week - Jamie must be a John Denver fan! Music Video Link for "Take Me Home, Country Roads"  |
2018 Mullin Scholarship Winner for Allentown RotaryALLENTOWN ROTARY AWARDS ROGER AND LOUISA MULLIN SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2018 TO DIERUFF STUDENT A lot of people who have achieved success in later life tend to forget how difficult the struggle was. Roger Mullin did not. As CEO of Mack Trucks, he had achieved a place in 20th century corporate America that many would envy. But he wanted to make it easier for others. And he decided to do it through the Allentown Rotary Club Foundation.  So, in 1988 he created the Roger and Louisa Mullin Scholarship. “Kids with talent should get what they deserve,” he said. Since that time ARC has seen to that. Working with guidance counselors at William Allen, Central Catholic and Dieruff high schools the students are selected on the basis of financial need and community service. At its May 18th meeting the club awarded this year’s scholarship to Christina Mitry of Dieruff High School. Mitry, who came to the the U.S. from Syria with her parents in 2010 will receive $3000 per year for four years, which she plans on spend at Muhlenberg College studying bio-chemistry which she hopes to use toward a degree in medicine. She is pictured here with some Rotarians from the Allentown Rotary Scholarship Committee. Below, Judy Lovett Belaires presents the scholarship to Christina. She hopes to use that degree to work with children. She feels in this way she can make a contribution to society. “Working with children is my passion,” she says. Although she and her family left their native land before the current unrest struck it many of her family members have been displaced by it.  As she told of a cousin who was in the army but has apparently disappeared, her eyes became tearful. “Maybe he was captured by ISIS, we just don’t know,” she said with sadness in her voice. “My major wish is for peace in Syria.”Another feature of the day is hearing from past recipients of the scholarship. On hand for the event was Derek Reynoso the 2016 scholarship awardee. An art student from William Allen High School Derek is using his scholarship at the University of West Virginia to study potter making and art. He is now a junior and has sold several of his pieces, has shown his work in Hawaii and is currently getting ready to spend a semester in China. Derek’s family are from the Dominican Republic originally. “When I was in middle school and high school I assumed that like the rest of my family when I graduated I would enter the workforce,” he says. “But now I am the first member of my family to go to college,” he says. “It is an incredible feeling.” |
Helping people with disabilities make their own music Music has been an important part of leading an ordinary life for students at the Music School for Children With Disabilities in Honor of Paul Harris in Lublin, Poland. Founded by Rotary members, the school serves 20 students with various disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and visual impairments. The Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum-Maria Curie-Sklodowska has provided funding with help from Rotary Foundation Matching Grants and the Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society, which houses the school. After their son Mateusz was born with underdeveloped eyes, Mariusz and Joanna Kania looked for ways to help him be active. When he showed an aptitude for music, they looked for a teacher and were thrilled to find the Paul Harris music school. |
Finding Safe Haven For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen.After serving her time, Bianca sought help from a local homeless organization, A Safe Haven, and moved to its shelter in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Bianca followed the program closely -- she attended all the required meetings, passed drug tests, and volunteered at every opportunity.
|
Saving lives in Ghana What is it like taking a large team to Africa? It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. In mid February, I began leading Rotary members from all over the East Coast of the United States through Ghana. I’ve tried to give the team a warm Ghanaian welcome like I’ve received on my earlier trips. A large trip is a real blessing because each person sees Ghana and our work in a different way.A highlight for the team was greeting the chief of Sagadugu. The team got excited about buying goats and food for children in the villages where I support eight churches. It was good to see the pastors of most of the eight churches, and I had to explain that we were just passing through on our way to Bolgatanga. |
India celebrates three years without polio Throughout India and around the world, Rotary clubs are celebrating a major milestone: India has gone three years without a new case of polio. The last reported case was a two-year-old girl in West Bengal on 13 January 2011. To mark this historic triumph, Rotary clubs illuminated landmarks and iconic structures throughout the country with four simple but powerful words, "India is polio free."The three-year achievement sets the stage for polio-free certification of the entire Southeast Asia region by the World Health Organization. The Indian government also plans to convene a polio summit in February to commemorate this victory in the global effort to eradicate polio. |
Click below to Listen to Allentown's Mayor, Matt Tuerk, talk about his big "WHY" for joining Rotary in 2021
Dementia is not a disease, but it may be caused by a variety of illnesses or injuries. In particular, 60% of all Dementia is related to Alzheimer's while another 20% is vascular in nature. Dr. Jacobus went on to use stories about her Aunt Helen to make various points about the progression and nature of Alzheimer's Disease.
Rotary’s vision statement is: Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. 
I would like to continue the fellowship that we have and welcome as many new ideas as possible. We are all here to work together. If you have an idea and you would like to share, please reach out to me or any of our board members. Let’s continue to make it a year of fellowship, service, integrity, diversity, and leadership. Let’s embrace our future with Rotary, opening many opportunities for us. Our upcoming 2020-2021 Allentown Rotary Club board members are: 
.jpg)
.jpg)
Each year the committee announces focus and funding priorities that generally mirror those of the Rotary International. This year they were Basic Education and Literacy, Maternal and Child Health, Disease Prevention, Peace and Conflict Resolution and Economic and Community Development.
Consider giving to The Rotary Foundation.
On a happier musical note Ronald “Ron” Demkee, conductor and musical director of the Allentown Band came by the Allentown Rotary Club on August 10th to fill ARC members in on the band past and present.
Download the website sponsorship guide