Wednesday Oct. 22, 2026, Greenville Noon Rotary meeting featured an informative Rotarian Finance Professionals Panel, led by fellow Rotarians Gavin Wirtzberger, George Gomez, Dylan Allensworth, and Troy Brakefield. The panel shared valuable insights on the economic forecast, investment strategies, and the financial outlook. Thank you to these Rotarians for sharing their time and expertise!
Libby Daves with the Hunt County Senior Service Alliance (HCSSA). Libby shared the many ways HCSSA serves and supports senior citizens throughout our community.
We’re excited to support their work throughout October! Our October Service Project and Happy Bucks will benefit HCSSA’s annual Warmth Drive, and this year’s theme is “Stockings and Staples.”
As part of the drive, Warmth Drive Blessing Boxes will be filled with household consumable items to help meet the everyday needs of local seniors. Rotary will collect staple items to fill the boxes.
Rotary was also proud to present HCSSA with a check to help support the Blessing Boxes and the important work they’re doing for seniors in our community.
Thank you, Libby, for joining us today and for all HCSSA does to serve our Hunt County seniors!
A big thank you to Dodie’s for providing today’s lunch! If you haven’t checked them out, be sure to stop by and show them some love.
Today’s program was presented by John Hayden with the W. Walworth Harrison Public Library, who shared some of the many exciting things happening at the library and the wide variety of programs and resources available to our community.
We also took a moment to give some well-deserved recognition to Wes Owen, Katy Ridge and Debbie Sickels for the countless hours they put in to help make this year’s Cotton Patch Classic such a success. Events like this don’t happen without dedicated people working behind the scenes, and we appreciate all they did!
Another great day of learning, service and community with Greenville Noon Rotary!
Another great Wednesday with Greenville Noon Rotary!
September 9th. meeting was filled with opportunities to celebrate and support our community!
Giving Back
We were proud to present checks to the Quinlan Education Foundation and Bras for the Cause, supporting the important work these organizations are doing in our community.
Celebrating Excellence
We also recognized our September honorees:
Student of the Month: Greenville High School senior Ethan Kiowski
Teacher of the Month: LP Waters teacher Michelle McDonald
Congratulations to Ethan and Michelle! We are proud to recognize the difference they are making in their school communities.
Our guest speaker was Dr. Rebekah Russler, Chancellor of Greenville High School Early College High School. Dr. Russler shared information about the program and the many possibilities and opportunities it provides for Greenville ISD students as they work toward their high school diplomas while getting a head start on college.
Thank you to Dr. Russler for joining us and sharing more about this exciting opportunity for Greenville students!
Today, we were proud to present a donation to
Raffa Clinic in support of the important work they do for moms, babies and families throughout our community. We are grateful for their commitment to serving others and making a difference in the lives of local families.
Our program today was presented by 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗼𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘇, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗦𝗗, who shared an update with our club. Dr. Lopez highlighted the district’s latest academic scores, financial updates, district accomplishments and progress on Bond 2025 projects. Thank you, Dr. Lopez, for keeping our community informed about the great things happening across Greenville ISD.
𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗼𝗻!
𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘀: This month’s Happy Bucks will be donated to the nonprofit organization with the most participants and volunteers at this year’s Cotton Patch Classic! So rally your team, get involved and help your favorite nonprofit earn some extra support.
𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁: Our September service project is the annual Cotton Patch Classic! This community tradition takes many hands to make it a success, and there are plenty of opportunities to participate or volunteer. Let us know how you would like to get involved!
Another great meeting centered on community, service and the Rotary spirit of Service Above Self!
It was another great Wednesday at the Greenville Noon Rotary Club!
We were pleased to hear a three-minute speech from Dr. Rikki Oyee and officially welcome her as one of our newest Rotarians! We’re excited to have her as part of our Rotary family and look forward to serving alongside her.
Today’s program was presented by Rotary District Governor Michael Callahan, who shared valuable information about the great work Rotary is doing throughout our district, along with goals and strategies for welcoming new members, growing our clubs and strengthening membership retention.
We were also honored to present Governor Callahan with a check to support his nonprofit organization and the important work it is doing. Thank you, Governor Callahan, for spending time with us today and for your continued commitment to service!
Happy Bucks: This month, our Happy Bucks will benefit the Greenville ISD Teacher Supply Closet, which provides much-needed classroom supplies and resources to support teachers and students throughout the school year.
August Service Project: We are collecting peanut butter and jelly this month! Members are encouraged to bring donations as we work together to help meet needs in our community.
What a great day to be a Rotarian. Our program for the today, was all about insurance. We had three members of the Greenville Rotary club tell us about their insurance company, what they specialize in and field questions from our members. Remember to get that policy checked annually to ensure you have the best possible coverage.
Club President, Millicent Akuffo and Bonnie-Jean Stewart presented the speakers with a gift for being a presenter for today's meeting.

This week the Greenville Rotary Club's program was brought by the Hunt County AMR Service. AMR has been providing ambulance services to our county for over 20 years. In 2025 they responded to 25,563 calls in Hunt County. They service non-emergency and 911 emergency calls with MICU ambulances staffed with EMT and Paramedics ensuring the patients have the best possible care available to them.
Do not forget your peanut butter and jelly.
What a great meeting! We were joined by Megan Myers, Director of the Paris SBDC. Megan shared resources and services that the SBDC provide to help an existing small business and those that are in the concept stage of their business prepare to be successful. The North Texas SBDC serves five Counties including Lamar, Red River, Hopkins, Hunt and Delta. For more information visit:
North Texas SBDCAugust is our Peanut Butter & Jelly Roundup benefiting Hunt County Shared Ministries. Items can be delivered to Prestige Integra Insurance or brought to the weekly meeting. President Millicent has challenged the club to 150 PB&J sets (1PB &1 Jelly) by the end of August; it is time for us to give or have to dance.
Past President's Wes Owen & Coleen Smith were joined by fellow Rotarian David Ellis as they passed out popsicles to the Boys and Girls Club. Coleen and Wes posed for a picture with the Greenville Altrusa club members that were there also handing out books and popsicles.
Another great meeting at Greenville Noon Rotary today!
We were excited to welcome our newest Rotarian, Sherry Holland with Hunt County Shared Ministries (FISH). Sherry shared the incredible work FISH is doing to serve our community and discussed ways Rotary can partner to support their mission.
Our program was presented by the East Texas A&M University Athletics Department, who gave us an exciting update on the exciting things happening for their student-athletes and the future of Lion Athletics.
We were also honored to present a donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas to support their Popsicle Patrol, a summer program that helps keep Greenville youth cool while connecting with children throughout the community.
Finally, our Happy Bucks collection this month will benefit Fans for FISH, helping provide much-needed fans for local families during the summer heat.
It’s always inspiring to see our community organizations working together to make Greenville an even better place to live, work, and serve
Our Rotarians are so much more than just club members. They show up in multiple places in our community.
Click the link and check out the article on page 32!! Blake Taylor
Millicent Akuffo, the newly installed President of the Greenville Rotary Club, conducted her first official meeting with confidence and purpose. During her State of the Club address, she outlined her vision for continued service, strengthened community partnerships, and renewed commitment to Rotary’s core values. Her leadership marks an exciting new chapter for the club as members look forward to the year ahead.

Greenville Rotary Club Celebrates $69,000 in Community Giving at Annual Banquet
GREENVILLE, Texas — The Greenville Rotary Club celebrated another year of service and generosity during its Annual Banquet held on Friday, June 26, 2026, highlighting a remarkable $69,000 in total community giving that benefited dozens of local and regional organizations, students, and charitable initiatives.
Prior to the banquet, the club had already distributed $49,000 to a wide range of nonprofit organizations and community programs throughout Hunt County and beyond. Recipients included The American Cotton Museum, Bob Wills Fiddle Festival, Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Texas, Hunt County Bras for the Cause, RAFFA, Hunt County CASA, Hunt County Children’s Advocacy Center, Greenville ISD Project Graduation, Shepherds Watch, SCRPT (Senior Center), 3FP, Hope For You, Drug Free Greenville, Hunt County Shared Ministries (FISH), Arms of Hope, Trail Life, Sabine Amateur Radio Club, and the Trevor Wade Daniel Foundation.
In addition to these contributions, the Rotary Club awarded $16,000 in college scholarships to local students, provided $3,000 to seven Hunt County-area schools, and awarded $5,000 in grants supporting both the RAFFA Diaper Day Project and the CAM International School for Handicapped Children in Cozumel.
The evening’s celebration also featured an additional $20,000 in grants presented to six deserving organizations:
- Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Texas — $1,000, bringing its annual total to $3,000
- Hunt County CASA — $3,000, bringing its annual total to $5,500
- Hunt County Children’s Advocacy Center — $3,000, bringing its annual total to $5,500
- RAFFA — $4,000, bringing its annual total to $7,000
- SCRPT — $4,000, bringing its annual total to $6,500
- Hunt County Shared Ministries (FISH) — $5,000, bringing its annual total to $8,000
“These contributions reflect the Greenville Rotary Club’s ongoing commitment to strengthening our community and supporting organizations that make a meaningful difference in the lives of local families,” club leaders noted during the banquet.
The combined impact of the club’s giving efforts resulted in an impressive grand total of $69,000 distributed throughout the year, demonstrating the powerful role civic organizations continue to play in addressing local needs.
Club officials emphasized that these charitable contributions are made possible through the continued support of community members who participate in the Greenville Rotary Club’s two signature fundraising events each year:
- Chili Fest and Silent Auction, held annually in February
- Cotton Patch Challenge Bike Ride, held annually in September
Through strong community participation, sponsorships, and volunteer support, these events generate the funds that allow the Greenville Rotary Club to invest back into local nonprofits, educational programs, youth development initiatives, and community projects.
As the club looks ahead to another year of service, Rotarians expressed gratitude to supporters, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners whose generosity continues to help improve lives throughout Greenville and Hunt County.
“Service Above Self” remains at the heart of the Greenville Rotary Club’s mission, and this year’s $69,000 in community giving stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when a community comes together to serve others.

We had a great time Friday night celebrating an amazing year for our outgoing Club President Wes Owen. Whether it is picking up trash, getting up before sunrise to go to a bike ride and help promote the Cotton Patch Challenge, Wes is ready and willing. Thank you for a great year!!
Rotary on the Lens
We were honored to present a donation to Shepherd’s Watch Foundation in support of their important mission to assist law enforcement agencies in the fight against human trafficking and the protection of vulnerable individuals in our communities. Stephanie Parker was on hand to accept the donation and share more about the foundation’s impactful work.
The Greenville Noon Rotary Club had an inspiring meeting yesterday as we celebrated some of the brightest young leaders from across Hunt County and beyond!