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Across America and around the world, people entering a community, town or city are welcomed by the sign of a "wheel" indicating that ROTARY INTERNATIONAL plays a vital role there and when and where it meets. ROTARY, the world's largest humanitarian organization, provides aid and relief to millions of people. Most of us known of ROTARY because of its international endeavors including the eradication of Polio, providing immediate housing with Shelter Boxes for people who have lost their homes and livelihoods through catastrophes such as in Haiti and Chile. Rotary's response to Katrina revealed the power and strength of local US Rotary Clubs to become first and sustaining responders.
Since 1955, ROTARY's presence in Cherry Hill enabled the community to benefit from initiatives in all aspects of community service. In 1976, a second club named Garden State Rotary of Cherry Hill was formed; followed by the creation of the Cherry Hill Breakfast Rotary Club in 1987. Today, through consolidation, the dinner club which meets on Monday's at 6:15PM and Garden State Rotary which meets on Friday's at 12:15PM fulfill Rotary's mission ~ Service Above Self, here and around the world. Both clubs meet at Ponzio's.
GARDEN STATE ROTARY is conducting its Membership Campaign. It is seeking out community committed professionals and businesspersons, who are looking to meet, share and collaborate in community service and volunteerism. You only need to drive down Evesham Road after school or weekends to watch what has become a generation of children using and enjoying the Garden State Rotary Sports Complex. Parents and grandparents alike spend time with their families on Chapel Avenue at the Garden State Rotary Gazebo and adjoining play area.
Beyond the scholarships, leadership institutes and Ambassadorial programs and study exchanges here and around the world that Garden State Rotary has underwritten, it is our local community campaigns including annually providing hundreds of families in need Thanksgiving turkeys with all the fixings to share in the blessing of sharing and Thanksgiving, that touches the lives of Rotary's members.
The challenge of hunger is an integral part of Garden State Rotary's ongoing agenda of community service that includes ongoing relationships with the Cherry Hill food and Outreach Council and the Food Bank of South Jersey. Strike out Hunger, held annually in partnership with the Phillies, brings together Rotarians from three districts including South Jersey, Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania for fellowship, food collection and fundraising. Coordinated by Garden State's Marv Axler, over $600,000 has been raised.
More than ever, Garden State Rotarians, are responding to the needs of our returning and senior veterans. Issues of homelessness, lack of jobs, the need for clothing and supporting their families is on the top of our "do list" for this year.
We look forward to volunteering at Holiday time and assisting at this coming Memorial Day's "Grand Prix Race" benefiting our Wounded Warriors.
Jake's Playground, to be built in Cherry Hill, will be a boundless playground that will give children with unique needs and formerly restricted access an opportunity to have fun and recreation in a safe and secure environment. It is another example of how Garden State Rotary's volunteerism will bring our community closer together.
This year, we look forward to joint fundraising opportunities with the Cherry Hill Education Foundation in support of our schools and community. This reciprocal relationship will also enable us to build an enduring partnership that will not only sustain, but create new initiatives that will extend Cherry Hill's reputation as being one of the "best of the best" school districts.
Of the many programs and initiatives that Garden State Rotary has financially underwritten and supported, it is the RYLA , Rotary's Youth Leadership Assembly, held at Stockton State College annually that has resulted in providing Cherry Hill East and West students with a path to their future as emerging leaders. Interact, our high school community service organization, at West not only fulfills mandated community service requirements, but gives students a chance to earn respect and a sense of accomplishment as they prepare to become our next generation's community leaders through community outreach.
What had initially began began as hosting a holiday party for hospitalized children evolved into refurbishing a family suite at the Ronald McDonald House at Cooper Hospital. Garden State has remained steadfast in its commitment to Cherry Hill. The list of accomplishments should go on and on, but for the first time in decades organizations including Rotary are faced with an attrition in service and volunteerism. There are those of us who blame it on the economy. Others suggest it is the distraction of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some say that time is our adversary - the time needed for work, school, and family.
Garden State Rotary believes it is a matter of awareness ~ letting our business and professional colleagues know that they are still wanted and needed to sustain, preserve and build upon the highest commitment of all ~ Service Above Self. If you are looking for a venue to share your skills, knowledge, abilities and sense of humor, in the company of people such as yourself, please be our guest for lunch any Friday at 12:00PM at The Turning Point on Route Haddonfield Rd. Contact Michele Moken at 856.722.8813 and discover the difference one more Rotarian can make.
ABBY WALTERS
President ~Garden State Rotary
(C) 609-636-0075