Celebrating our Club in Action
At our Recognition and Induction Luncheon in late June we had much to celebrate and many to thank for their Service Above Self over the last Rotary year. Under the direction of President Catherine we accomplished much, providing goods and service and through our hands-on volunteer efforts.
Under the stewardship of PP Dr Ralph Peeler through the 3rd year of our Rotary Foundation Global Grant project in Ethiopia we, along with our partners in Ethiopia, have supported the health of Mother's and their babies at risk for congenital neural tube defects, primarily reducing the incidence of Spina Bifida. This project has now expanded its services through 6 local hospitals, and has been able to serve over 3,000 High-risk Mothers. Through the project: training has been provided to hundreds of healthcare professionals, 1.8 million high-dose folic acid tablets have been procured, and through advocacy efforts, awareness and prevention services in Ethiopia have been strengthened.
DG Steve Ivory and PDG Bob Hagen recognized Club RF Chair and PP Dr Ralph Peeler for his leadership regarding our Club's multi-year RF Global Grant project in Ethiopia for the prevention of Spina Bifida and other neural tube birth defects, and his ongoing advocacy and support of the Rotary Foundation.
PP Ralph presenting another laptop to Rotarian Yakob Ahmed from the RC of Addis Ababa West , for the project in Ethiopia.
RI President Francesco Arrezo honored our Ethiopia RF Global Grant project with a visit earlier this year.
Locally we have supported Maternal and Child and Family Health initiatives through our support of the Nicholas House Transitional Housing programs, through the support of the Doraville Salvation Army programs and food pantry, through the Cowart Family YMCA, the Atlanta Food Bank, the Elaine Clark Center, and the Interfaith Outreach Home in Chamblee.
Again this year we were able to provide Dictionaries to each of the third graders in the Doraville United and Cary Reynolds Elementary Schools, along with additional resources to expand their Literacy initiatives and hands on programs.
Some of the third graders and their dictionaries!
We sponsored the Chamblee HighSchool Interact Service Club and sent two Interact Members to the Rotary Youth Leadership program held in June. We congratulate the Interact Club as one of the most active and well attended clubs at CHS.
Interact Club 2026-2026
For the 12th year we provided scholarships to Chamblee HighSchool graduating seniors. This year we were able to provide $7,500 in scholarships to four outstanding students, two are matriculating to Georgia Institute of Technology, one to Spelman College and one to Kennesaw State University. We couldn't be more enthusiastic about the bright futures of each of these recipients!
2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients from Chamblee High School with Scholarship Program Chair and PP Barbara Bush
Under the continued leadership of PP Ralph Sims we were proud to facilitate the 13th annual Community-wide Home Medical Equipment (HME) Drive for the benefit of FODAC (Friends of Disabled Adults and Children). The value of the procured equipment and supplies accumulated over the last 13 years, as estimated by FODAC, reached over $2,481,000!
We look forward to working with volunteers from our fellow DeKalb Rotary Council Clubs and other area Rotary Clubs, Rotoract Clubs, Interactors, Lions and Community volunteers again this year on August 8, 2026! It takes our broader community to create this kind of success, including the very generous Donors who provide the HME and goods we pick up. All of the HME is refurbished or reconditioned and then disbursed back out to those in need at no cost, or very little cost. FODAC provides a phenomenal service!
Chris Brand, FODAC CEO, inspiring volunteers before the HME Collection, August 2025
Volunteers at the 13th Annual FODAC HME collection event, August 2026
PP Ralph Sims receiving the "You are the Key" 2025-2026 service award from the Dekalb Rotary Council
Throughout the year we also took time to celebrate fellow club members: such as our Four outstanding RF Major Donors - - Don Millen, Tom Friedrichs, Mike Emanuele and Christopher Drew
DG Steve Ivory, PDG Bob Hagen recognizing Major Donor PP Don Millen and Starr Millen
PP Ralph Peeler, PDG Bob, DG Steve recognizing Major Donor PP Mike Emanuele and Kay Emanuele
DG Steve, PDG Bob recognizing Cathy and Major Donor Tom Friedrichs, with Club RF Chair & PP Ralph P and Pres Catherine
Club RF Chair & PP Ralph, PDG Bob, and DG Steve honoring Stacy Drew and Major Donor Christopher Drew, with Pres Catherine
We welcomed out newest member Brandon Lowe; honored Paul Harris recipients such as President Catherine Bernard, Pat Thomas and (multiple PHFs) Alex Johnson and PP Ralph Sims; received the DeKalb Rotary Council "You are the Key" Service Award for recipient PP Ralph Sims and the "Show Rotary Cares" Award for recipient PP Lance Reising.
Brandon Lowe inducted by DG Steve Ivory with Pres Catherine Bernard
Multi PHF Alex Johnson with PHF Pres Catherine and DG Steve Ivory
Additionally we had the pleasure of surprising PP Don Millen with our Rotary Club of North Atlanta inaugural GOAT Award. Don has been an exemplary Rotarian with the club since 1968. He is a Rotarian leading his life with Service Above Self, in all ways. Don is indeed our Greatest of All Times club member!
President Catherine surprising PP Don Millen with the Club's GOAT Award.
Don is a treasure, a true gem found among us.
We also said our heartfelt "Good Byes" to fellow Rotarians and friends: Dr Godfrey Oakley and Tom Friedrichs, may they rest in peace.
Honoring Godfrey Oakley and his life of service and advocacy for the mitigation of Neural Tube birth defects throughout the world. Godfrey was at the core of our multi-year RF Global Grant project in Ethiopia.
On June 25th we welcomed DGE Cynthia Edwards to help us celebrate the past year with President Catherine Bernard and to induct our next President, Christopher Drew. We look forward to another year of active service above self in our local area communities.
President Catherine Bernard was honored and thanked for her service,
and given her PP Pin by PP Mike Emanuele. Thank you for your service President Catherine.
In with the new...
DGE Cynthia congratulating incoming 2026-2027 President Christopher Drew
DGE Cynthia congratulating incoming 2026-2027 President Christopher Drew
DGE Cynthia Edwards having some fun with President Christopher Drew with Stacy Drew
Rotarians and Guests in attendance at our Recognition Luncheon on June 25, 2026
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