Stacey Norris - 2018

 

 

 

 

Stacey Norris has served Rotary and La Grange in countless ways, but it will always be her leadership in responding to Hurricane Harvey that tops the list.

 

Stacey joined the Rotary Club of La Grange in July 2012, but already was well known in the community for her volunteer work and community promotion. Professionally, she is Director of the Main Street Program for the City of La Grange. Stacey served as the club’s program chair for two years before being chosen as President-Elect for 2014-15.

 

As President in 2015-16, she led the club to adopt several new community service projects, including providing children’s games on the courthouse square during the annual Trick-or-Treat event where downtown merchants gave out candy.

 

After a year as Immediate Past President, she became Club Community Service Chair for the next three years. After Stacey took that role in July 2017, Hurricane Harvey struck in August.

 

Torrential rainfall caused the Colorado River to reach the third highest crest in recorded history, and the highest since 1913. The flooding caused the complete devastation of three mobile home parks, over 30 structural homes, over 40 small businesses, and directly affecting the lives of over 1,000 people – nearly a quarter of the town’s entire population.

 

Rotary’s response was immediate. One day after the flood waters washed away neighborhoods and people were left with nothing, Stacey and Club President Phil Oestreich began a GoFundMe page as Rotarians took to Facebook and other social media forums to alert the world to the needs and to provide a place where people could help by donating.

 

The club raised over $40,000 from the online campaign, the start of an astonishing relief and rebuilding effort. Nine other Rotary Clubs in America donated another $9,000. Within a few weeks, the club had raised and distributed over $350,000 to families, students, small businesses and organization. 

 

As Community Service Director, Stacey led the way. The impact of Rotary upon the people of La Grange is simply incalculable.

 

At the 2018 District 5870 Annual Conference held at the Elan Hotel in San Antonio, District Governor Gene Holiman officially inducted Stacey Norris into the District Roll of Fame.

 

Since that time, Stacey has continued to lead the Rotary Club in many ways. After three years as Community Service Chair, she accepted the position of Treasurer for 2019-20, a role she has now held for three years.