Stories
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SIR Supports Born to ReadSea Island Rotary Club presented Janie Ephland with Born to Read a donation of 1,000 reusable bags for materials that are delivered to families of newborns in Beaufort County hospitals by Born to Read. This project supports the Rotary International goal to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy. |
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Smile MobileSEA ISLAND ROTARY SMILE MOBILE CELEBRATES THREE YEARS OF SERVICE April 2020 marks the third year of free dental care provided by the Sea Island Rotary Smile Mobile. Since Rotary International’s motto is “Service Above Self,” Rotarians are always seeking opportunities to serve their fellow man. Several years ago, after volunteering with the South Carolina Dental Association’s DAD (Dental Access Day) project, Dr. Chuck Ingle and Dr. Edward Wise became acutely aware of the large number of people who, for various reasons, were unable to attain basic dental care in the Beaufort area. Many would go for months and sometimes even years suffering from dental pain and infection. This presented a unique opportunity for Sea Island Rotary Club to develop an ongoing service project which could have a huge impact on dental health in the community. Dr. Ingle initiated the organization of the project and fortuitously learned that Beaufort/Jasper Comprehensive Health had just received a new two-chair mobile unit. Working with Mr. Roland Gardner, Executive Director of BJCH, they developed an agreement which allowed the Sea Island Rotary Club to use the vehicle monthly on Saturdays for their “Smile Mobile Clinic.” BJCH generously agreed to maintain the truck and equipment while the Sea Island Rotary took care of supplying volunteer dentists and all other expenses. The Smile Mobile became a reality in 2017. Since its auspicious beginning, the clinic has treated over 266 patients and provided dental services worth $132,000. Sources of funding have been provided through the Sea Island Rotary’s annual “Shrimp Race,” held during the Beaufort Shrimp Festival in October, as well as through cash donations from Access Health Lowcountry Grants, Bluffton/Jasper Volunteers in Medicine, Lowcountry Rotary, United Way, Dentistry@ Habersham, and Marshlands II Family Dentistry. The participating doctors are all volunteers, and without their generous contribution of time and talent, the project would not be possible. The Sea Island Rotary Club would like to recognize the following local dentists who have served in the clinic over the past three years: Dr. Ian Barnard, Dr. Ashley Covington, Dr. Chuck Ingle, Dr. Emerson Gower, Dr. Christian Greenwalt, Dr. Patrick Kline, Dr. Bob Koolkin, Dr. Michael Langehans, Dr. Chris Maly, Dr. Pete Smith, Dr. Charlie Wade, Dr. Will Waninger, Dr. Edward Wise, Dr. John Wise, and Dr. Bruce Wyles Other individuals who from the very beginning have played vital roles in the program’s success are Mr. John Perrill, Ms. Debbie Slazyk, and the two permanent staff members, Mrs. Jennifer Gourdine and Mr. Ramsey Bythwood. Mr. Perrill and Ms. Slazyk carry out most of the administrative tasks which keep the project running smoothly. Mr. Perrill coordinates the non-clinical volunteers (mostly Rotarians from Sea Island Rotary) who take vital signs and register the patients. Ms. Slazyk handles the patient appointment scheduling as well as applying for and administering grants. As the coordinator of clinical services, Mrs. Gourdine ensures that the clinic is run in the most efficient manner, ensuring sterilization of supplies, patient triage, and proficiency of radiographs. Mr. Bythwood serves as the transportation director. He drives and maintains service of the Smile Mobile as well as helps out with registration and patient flow. Because the Smile Mobile is providing definitive treatment, it is necessary to limit the number of patients and work by appointment only. The main sources of patients have been the ER at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, the Good Neighbor Medical Clinic, Bluffton/Jasper Volunteers in Medicine, and Access Health (which coordinates appointments). The Smile Mobile’s success has been made possible through the efforts of many dedicated volunteers. In order to maintain the viability of the program over the long term, more volunteers are needed, particularly dentists – active or retired. Anyone who would like to become a volunteer may contact Dr. Chuck Ingle at (843) 271-9672, email: docingle@gmail.com or Dr. Ed Wise at (843) 812-0666, email edwise720@gmail.com. Working together, we can build a stronger and healthier community. |
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Adventure Biathalon
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Shrimp Race
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Rotary Readers |
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History of the Rotary Four Way Test
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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. |
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Finding Safe HavenAfter 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. |
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Saving lives in Ghana![]() 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. |
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India celebrates three years without polio![]() 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. |