Please join Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary this Thursday, September 17, 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 Clarice James, Founder MIRA (Migrants, Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylees)
“Our program's mission is to equip families of different ethnicities and cultures with the equitable resources to succeed upon entering a new community. By providing them with the necessary resources and offering them the same opportunities everyone has a right to, opens up their individual paths to reach their highest potentials and dreams. We believe every person deserves the chance to be able to live a happy, healthy life and our goal is to help guide these underserved families with the resources to do so.”
At our September 10, 2026 meeting Morning Star Rotary hosted Sandra Gillen, Chairperson of the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission. Sandra spoke about the organization's history, programs, and outlined their various initiatives including the Mother's Day Fine Art and Craft Show, Rotunda exhibitions, and the Sculpture Garden.
Volunteers are still needed for upcoming Celtic Classic 5K Race on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Please contact Tom Hartzell if you are able to assist at the race. At present $4500 in sponsorships has been secured with approximately 160 runners registered,
Janet Kolepp provided an update on the Kenya Project, reporting that land breaking has started with rain harvesting and storage tanks being created during the school year, while latrines will be built after school ends in November and December.
Bill Hunter reported that our Antigua Literacy Project is nearing completion after four years, with its final phase expected in January.
Rick Santee stated that the recent First Thirstday event at the Artisan, featuring the Grumpy Old Men, raised $432 for our MSR Charitable Organization and our Salute the Troops Concert has received a $2,000 Presenting Sponsor from Hof & Reid Law Office.
Jean Searfoss spoke about resurrectingour “bellringing tradition” for the Salvation Army during the holiday season. Meeting attendees were supportive of reviving this service project.
Our club is seeking sponsors for the Celtic Classic 5K Race. Sponsorships are the primary way that we raise money to distribute throughout our community. Please share the sponsorship form below with any potential sponsors to make our 2026 race a success.
Once again Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary is partnering with the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association for their annual Fall Stream Clean-up on Sunday, October 11, 2026 from 9-11:30 AM. The meet-up location is at Sand Island Park, 56 River Street, Bethlehem 18018. Meet at Tennis Court Parking Lot.
ShelterBox distributions are now underway, and your support is already making a difference.
This week, 460 families in Nuwakot District received tarpaulins and essential household items, including sleeping mats, rope and pillows. Working with Islamic Relief and Rotary, these supplies were procured locally so we could begin helping families as quickly as possible.
Additional ShelterBox aid has also arrived in Kathmandu, including family tents, tarpaulins, rope and solar lights. Working with our partner People In Need, these supplies will be transported by helicopter to remote communities that remain cut off by damaged roads and collapsed bridges.
Because of you, families are getting the essential items they need to begin recovering.
Thousands of Families Still Need Help
Nearly two weeks after the devastating floods, the response is moving from search and rescue toward relief and recovery. But for many families, the crisis is far from over.
Roads and bridges have been destroyed, isolating mountainous communities. In some areas, helicopters remain the only way to deliver essential aid.
Thousands of people are still displaced, and the full scale of housing damage is not yet known because some of the hardest-hit communities remain difficult to access. The threat of further flooding is making the situation even more challenging.
We are getting aid into Nepal, but more families are still waiting for help.
Your gift today can help provide emergency shelter and essential supplies to families who have lost so much.
Flatiron Building, 5th Floor Community Room
