Please join Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary this Thursday, July 23, 2026, for our Live/Hybrid Meeting.Our meet & greet starts at 7:15am with the regular meeting starting at 7:30am.
Our speaker will be Daniel Meyer, James Madison University Geography Department Travel to Nepal. He will be Zooming in from Arlington, VA.
At our July 16, 2026 weekly meeting, Morning Star Rotary welcomed Wendy Wright, Development Officer of Cay Galgon Life House. She spoke to our members regarding the Life House's residential and outreach programs for homeless pregnant mothers and babies, and how Rotarians can support the organization. As Development Officer, her role is in fundraising and awareness building for the organization.
Cay Galgon began in 2012 as part of Mary's Shelter, based in Reading, and split off in 2019 to focus locally on pregnant mothers in the Lehigh Valley. The organization is named for Cay Galgon, a woman who opened her home to pregnant women with no place to go and to people with disabilities, and whose family helped establish the shelter in her honor after her passing.
The organization runs two main programs. The residential shelter has seven beds for homeless mothers and babies, who can stay for up to two years while receiving intensive case management, including education support, parenting classes, budgeting help, and housing search assistance. The outreach program serves families from pregnancy through a child's second birthday with diapers, clothing, food, and appointment support, and does not require a housing crisis to qualify. Last year the organization served 558 total families, welcomed 196 babies, logged 1,500 pantry visits, and gave 213 moms holiday gifts for their children. The waiting list has grown from about 10 to 20 families in the past month, and Wendy noted the organization is one of the only local resources for homeless pregnant women without other children.
Wendy described the range of situations families come from, including domestic violence and trafficking survivors, and how the Life House partners with organizations like NAMI and Turning Point when a family's needs go beyond what the shelter can provide, such as active substance recovery or severe mental health needs.
How Rotarians can help and support:
Baby Bottle Campaign: distribute bottles to members to collect spare change and small donations toward this year's $52,000 goal
Donate supplies: diapers, wipes, and children's clothing are always needed, especially during spring cleaning season
Attend upcoming events: Casks and Forks on August 19 at Black River Farms (paid ticketed event), the OLA Fun shopping and raffle event in November, and the annual gala (the organization's largest fundraiser)
Morning Star Rotary was recognized for our outstanding contributions to The Rotary Foundation for the 2025-2026 Rotary year.
#1 place in District 7430 for our PolioPlus giving.
#2 place in District 7430 for our Overall Contributions to the Annual Fund.
#3 place in District 7430 for Per Capita donations to The Rotary Foundation
Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary Club was recognized multiple times for our club Foundation contributions at the recent District 7430 Changeover event. Our club received first place recognition for 2025-26 PolioPlus giving, third place recognition for 2025-26 Annual Fund Per Capita giving, and second place recognition for 2025-26 Overall Foundation giving. Morning Star Rotary was the only district club to be recognized in all three categories.
For the 2025-26 Rotary year, Annual Fund contributions totaled $44,030 while PolioPlus giving totaled $13,005. Thanks to everyone in the club who has continued to support The Rotary Foundation.
Morning Star Rotary has 17 Major Donors, probably the highest in District 7430. However, all the current Major Donors started with a $100 contribution many years ago. New members are encouraged to begin making contributions to The Rotary Foundation. More information will follow at future meetings.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ROTARY FOUNDATION THIS PAST YEAR!
Thanks to all members who have already paid their dues. If you have not yet paid the dues for 2026-2027, please do so ASAP! Thank you!
Morning Star Rotary Secretary Val Walk has emailed the club’s 2026-27 club dues invoice to active members. Full details are in e-mail and attached invoice.
If you haven’t seen it, please check your junk/spam folder, and contact Rodney Conn at rodneyconn@icloud.com if you need the invoice resent.
Please pay either...
$260 for the full Rotary year 7/1/26-6/30/27
– or –
$130 for the first six months 7/1/26-12/31/26
Payment method options include:
Check payable to Morning Star Rotary. Give to Rodney Conn at a meeting, or mail it to Rodney's attention at 39 Cherokee Street, Emmaus, PA 18049
Cash. Give to Rodney Conn at a meeting.
Debit or Credit card. By June 30, on www.morningstarrotary.com, log in, then scroll down to Site Pages on the left, and click Pay Dues Online Here. The club uses PayPal to collect it, but you do NOT need a PayPal account; Your debit or credit card is fine. The estimated PayPal fee is added to the dues amount.
Zelle. Between July 1 and July 7 (so it hits the bank in the correct Rotary year).
Your prompt cooperation will be appreciated. The club will pay Rotary International in July and Rotary District 7430 soon after, and active members as of 6/30/26 are in the headcount for those invoices to the club.
Please contact Rodney Conn with any questions or comments.
Flatiron Building, 5th Floor Community Room
