North Atlanta Rotarians Have Heart

Posted by B Bush
 
February was "Rotary Has Heart Month" and North Atlanta Rotarians participated in many areas of service sharing our hearts along the way.
 
We started the month with a hands on project creating goody bags for 75 men at the Central Shelter in downtown Atlanta.  
 
Goodie Bag production line at lunch meeting
 
That evening several Rotarians took and served a hot roasted chicken dinner with dessert, made sack lunches for the next day, and then stayed over night as chaperones.  In the morning our volunteers gave out the goody bags and sack lunches to each man as they left for their day. The process of checking these men into the shelter and serving dinner gave each of the volunteers an opportunity to connect with individuals we might not otherwise, a very humbling experience.   
 
   
Rotarians Don Millen, Ralph Sims, Jim Greco and Nathan Aberson stir the pots
 
Bill Decatur, Garry Guan and Mike Emanuele prepare the chicken
 
 
By mid-month, as one of our "Rotary has Heart" events, North Atlanta Rotarians and three (3) prospective members went to the Atlanta Food Bank (AFB) for a very successful evening making sure donated items are ready for the food insecure of the greater metro Atlanta area.  Our volunteer crew helped sort 6,850 lbs of food equal to approximately 4,469 meals.
 
Afterward, this hearty group ventured to a local eatery for their own sustenance and getting to know each other outside of the Club meetings sharing a wonderful opportunity of fellowship.
 
volunteers L to R:  Fazle Khan, Jim Barker, Kathy Monacelli, Joan McGowan, Bill McLaughlin, Julie Koriakin, Nathan Aberson, Garry Guan, Catherine Bernard, Ralph Sims and Mary Frances Richardson
 
 
The day after Valentine’s Day found North Atlanta Rotarians providing support for the Ms. Brookhaven Pageant held at Ashton Woods Senior Home.  We took bouquets of roses, boxes of chocolate and orchid corsages for each participant.  Don Millen was the "Bert Parks" host, Christopher Drew and Garry Guan played as escorts for the ladies, and Mary Frances Richardson, Kent Gipson and Barbara Bush were judges.  It was a very touching event with the winner being crowned Ms. Brookhaven and eligible to participate in a regional pageant later this spring. 
 
  
Ms Brookhaven 2017, from Ashford Woods
 
  
Judges:  Kent Gipson and Mary Frances Richardson
 
 
On February 28th Rotarians from North Atlanta and Brookhaven Clubs joined together in reading to Kindergartners and Pre-K students at Woodward Elementary School.  This is part of a year-long literacy program partnering with the Ferst Foundation as part of "Get Georgia Reading", a statewide initiative to prepare students so they are ready to “read to learn” by 3rd grade.  Each month the book we read is also sent home with each student so they can continue  reading at home.
 
Rotarian Dick Michell reading with Kindergartners
 
These are just some of the ways North Atlanta Rotarians showed “Rotary Cares” during “Rotary Has Heart” month!