Stories

Chipping In and Making a Difference Golf Tournament Anna Graham 2021-02-22 08:00:00Z 0

SIR Supports Born to Read

Sea 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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SIR Supports Born to Read Carole Ingram 2021-02-07 08:00:00Z 0


Sea Island Rotary Memorializes Member Jim Rowan

Sea Island Rotary Club members gathered along the Spanish Moss Trail near Hermitage Road on Tuesday December 15 to dedicate a newly planted tree and marker for long-time member, Jim Rowan, who died on June 10.  President Carole Ingram welcomed Jim’s wife, Joan, and talked about how devoted Jim was to Rotary since joining the Club in 2010.  He served on its board of directors and proved to be an adaptable contributor to the Clubs many service projects including maintenance of the Spanish Moss Trail from Hermitage to Allison Road. He was a faithful Sea Island bell ringer for the Salvation Army Christmas fundraiser and was always one of the first to give blood at the Clubs bimonthly blood drive. He also served on the board of Friends of Caroline Hospice and was an active member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.  President Ingram expressed confidence that the 10’ crepe myrtle planted in Jim’s honor would always stand tall as he did for Rotary.
 Sea Island Rotary Memorializes Member Jim Rowan Randy Atkins 2020-12-21 08:00:00Z 0

Smile Mobile

SEA 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.
                                                                                                                                
           
 Smile Mobile Lowell Keene 2020-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

Adventure Biathalon

 

The Sea Island Rotary Adventure Biathalon

Each March Sea Island Rotary hosts the awesome Hunting Island Adventure Biathlon Race at Hunting Island State Park, SC. The race will be similar to the past format and includes a 6 mile paddle followed by a 4.5 mile run through the Park. As usual, be prepared for a few surprises along the way that will add to the adventure. The Race begins at Russ Point Landing next to the Park Nature Center and the Fripp Island Bridge, where racers paddle kayaks or stand-up paddle boards (SUP) up into Fripp Inlet, circle around a buoy and then back to the landing. From there the racers transition into the run portion, running toward the Nature Center and the park trails that await. Athletes can complete the course in Teams, where one paddles and the other runs – which we call a Relay Team. Athletes also have the option to race as a team in a tandem kayak and then run the course together (they must finish together) We call this a Tandem Team.  ​This race has grown substantially over the past 10 years into one of the Southeasts premiere Adventure Kayak/Run Biathlons.  Athletes travel from other countries just to participate in this local favorite event.  We average about 180 athletes who compete in a variety of award categories for great prizes.   After the race we meet for our Official Post Race Party where we enjoy beer and chili, and fellowship (or bragging as some like to call it).
 Adventure Biathalon 2020-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

Shrimp Race

 

 

The Sea Island Rotary Shrimp Race

5,000 rubber floating shrimp will be dropped into the Beaufort River adjacent to the Waterfront Park.  Each shrimp will have a unique number 0001 through 5000.  The shrimp will float naturally with the tide toward a finish line marked with two floating buoys.  The first 10 shrimp to cross the finish line receive the following cash prizes
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Shrimp Race 2020-08-20 07:00:00Z 0
Rotary Readers 2020-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

History of the Rotary Four Way Test

In the early 1930s Herbert J. Taylor set out to save the Club Aluminum Products distribution company from bankruptcy. He believed himself to be the only person in the company with 250 employees who had hope. His recovery plan started with changing the ethical climate of the company. He explained:

The first job was to set policies for the company that would reflect the high ethics and morals God would want in any business. If the people who worked for Club Aluminum were to think right, I knew they would do right. What we needed was a simple, easily remembered guide to right conduct - a sort of ethical yardstick- which all of us in the company could memorize and apply to what we thought, said and did.

I searched through many books for the answer to our need, but the right phrases eluded me, so I did what I often do when I have a problem I can't answer myself: I turn to the One who has all the answers. I leaned over my desk, rested my head in my hands and prayed. After a few moments, I looked up and reached for a white paper card. Then I wrote down the twenty-four words that had come to me:

  1. Is it the truth?
  2. Is it fair to all concerned?
  3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
  4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

I called it "The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do."

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History of the Rotary Four Way Test 2020-08-20 07:00:00Z 0

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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Helping people with disabilities make their own music 2015-05-01 00:00:00Z 0

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.
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Finding Safe Haven 2015-05-01 00:00:00Z 0

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.
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Saving lives in Ghana 2015-05-01 00:00:00Z 0

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.
 
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India celebrates three years without polio 2014-02-26 00:00:00Z 0