Described by some as their favorite program of the year, the Vocational Excellence Awards recognize those in our community who diligently go about the performance of their duties in their profession and do so in extraordinary ways.
Perhaps it is additional care, concern, or assistance they give, or just they way the person goes "above and beyond" in the service to others, but each one stands out as deserving of recognition for their outstanding performance of their job. Rotarians will give deserved recognition of the excellent work and give thanks for exceptional vocational service of others in our community.
The next project work the Club will undertake on Friday, December 4 is "Brush With Kindness" for Habitat for Humanity. This wonderful effort will involve building a wheelchair ramp for someone who needs better and safer access to their home.
With enough people, it should be a "Done in a Day" project. Good feelings for your work will be priceless and will last much longer than one day!
Watch this video from Lincolnshire on their involvement in the "Brush With Kindness" program. It will convince you to come out and help with our first Habitat "Brush with Kindness" project, rescheduled for Friday, December 4!
Rotarians are committed to Service Above Self and what better way to give service to our community than by taking part in the traditional Red Kettle Drive of the Salvation Army.
Let's do it! Let's join together and staff a day of bell-ringing at a kettle at Parkdale Mall. Chair Michele Cobb is asking for you to volunteer for a shift on Saturday, December 5. Bring friends, bring family - it's a great time to bring a prospective new member as well and have a good time doing something good for others!
That's right. You can personally underwrite the donation of a layette bag for a mother and child in Nicaragua and though you will never meet them, you can be assured that your gift is much appreciated.
For only a $50 donation per bag, we will purchase all the required items and see that it reaches someone who needs a hand up.
Make your donation at a meeting and we will supply a gift card so you can let someone know you made the donation in their honor this holiday season!
The Holiday Party will be Tuesday, December 15 at the Lamar University Reception Center, Mary & John Gray Library, 8th Floor. Social will begin at 6:00, followed by dinner at 6:30 and an entertaining program. Tickets will be $50 per person and are on sale now through the online reservations (click here). Of course, you may also make your reservations and purchase tickets at any upcoming meeting.
As is the custom, the President Nominee will be announced on this special occasion. Mark your calendar now for this "don't miss" event to celebrate the holiday!
The holiday season puts everyone in the gift-giving spirit and you, too, can contribute a valuable gift to young people in our community.
When you attend the Holiday Party (or before if you cannot attend) bring a new book as a gift for a child. It can be any reading level up to about grade 5. We will collect the books and donate to the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club for their after-school program when children are encouraged to do their schoolwork and have the opportunity to read or play.
You will be putting a smile on a child's face and share the love of reading!
Interact and Rotaract clubs are joining together to pack toiletry bags for local youth rescued from human trafficking. Please help by saving small personal care items such as soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, ponytail bands, combs, and hairbrushes, focusing on deodorant and mouthwash.
You can bring donations to any meeting or directly to the Rotary office, and we will see that it is given to the youth organizations. We have not collected many items yet so please look in your vanity drawers and cabinets for items you can donate and bring them this week.
Veterans Day was the honored theme of our Rotary Meeting today during which each branch of our Armed Forces - Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and the Coast Guard - were given special recognition.
Our Rotary Speaker today, Veterans Day, November 11th, was Colonel Gregory Baine, US Army. Colonel Baine was introduced by Mayor Becky Ames.
Colonel Baines opened his presentation with a video clip from former President Ronald Reagan in which he expressed his profound respect for the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.
Colonel Baines then quoted Teddy Roosevelt's impassioned speech wherein he emphasized that (paraphrased), "Credit should never be given to the critics, but to the individuals who have chosen to enter the arena."
Throughout his presentation, Colonel Baine praised our Armed Forces and repeatedly mentioned "respect, honor, commitment" along with "freedom, hope, and gratitude" and he challenged all to "reflect on what it means to be an American."
The Colonel mentioned various "theaters" such as Lexington, Gettysburg, North Africa, Sicily, France, Europe, the South Pacific, Inchon, Viet Nam, Grenada, Panama, Bosnia, Kosovov, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and more.
Colonel Baines also spoke of the price that has, is, and will be paid, not only by veterans, but also by the families of veterans, past, present, and future. "These are the guardians of freedom, opportunity, and hope."
Colonel Baines stated that "being prepared for war is the BEST way to move toward peace" and that the United States of America is "the Land of the free, because of the brave."
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
