It is the end of 2025, but halfway through the Rotary Year. Our two main fundraising events, Celtic Classic 5k and Salute the Troops Concert, were successful and I thank all who participated. I especially wish to thank Tom Hartzell for taking on the 5k and Sheila and Rod Seifert for their work on the STT concert. As already mentioned, Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary honored Ron Demkee, conductor of the Allentown Band, and Tom Carson, executive director of Victory House, with Paul Harris Fellows.
Our club continues to provide grant opportunities. The Hartmann-Hansen Community Grant will be announced shortly, and we continue our Global Grant support for Kivutini School (Kenya).
We’ve also been doing some FUN-raising with our Thirsty Thursdays and the Holiday Breakfast with the Liberty High School A Capella Choir and instrumental ensemble, and our own Rick Santee getting everyone involved in some early morning carols. Later in January, we will be gathering for our Holiday Party, so come out and enjoy good food and fun. Last summer, we got together with the other Area 2 clubs and enjoyed a beautiful day of food and fun. We are planning on doing it again.
Coming up are opportunities for service projects. We have three nights at Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering to prepare and serve a meal to our street neighbors. Look out for other opportunities for service, including a D&L Trail cleanup opportunity.
We also continue to provide opportunities for students to experience other countries and cultures through Youth Exchange, and scholarship opportunities through hosting 4-Way Test Speech competition and our two college scholarship awards.
Learning opportunities are available on the Rotary website, and through both Rotary Leadership Institute and District 7430. This year’s District Conference has seen some changes. Seven districts have combined to provide a leadership learning opportunity in conjunction with the Lincoln Leadership Institute in Gettysburg. Please visit the District 7430 website for more information on both events.
Thank you for your service and support. Your community appreciates your service spirit as I do for all your support.
In Rotary Service,
Rodney Conn
President