Ione Rotary Happenings for June, 2014

 

This year we held four major fundraisers.  Each of these events allowed our Club to represent Rotary and serve both our local and the International communities. They included the Steak & Lobster and Crab Feed dinners, Cow & Calf Chip Bingo, and the Show & Shine Car and Vintage Aircraft Show. Every member of this club volunteered their services in some way to ensure the success of these events.

 

The Evalynn Bishop Phase II project completed the installation of a grease inceptor (trap), metal doors on the bar area, a hand wash sink and mop sink, and additional security lighting outside of the building. This, combined with what was accomplished last year, has turned Evalynn Bishop Hall into an upgraded community center used by thousands of people each year. A District Simplified Grant along with Club Project Funds financed this project. Club volunteers along with other service groups provided the planning and labor to complete the project. For the second year in a row, this project was recognized at the May District Conference in the small club category, as the “Community Project of the Year.”

 

Cow Chip Bingo raised funds for four high school scholarships of $1,250 each. We sponsored two high school juniors to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA), distributed dictionaries at the Ione Elementary School to all 3^rd graders. We will send five Ione Jr. High students to the Rotary 8^th Grade Leadership Camp in September. In addition, we support youth organizations throughout the year including youth sports, scholarship pageants, agricultural programs and more. The proceeds from the Show & Shine event will support youth organizations, the Interfaith Food Bank and other non-profits in our local community.

 

                In October the Club celebrated 26 years of dedication of “Service Above Self” coming together for a Charter Night dinner. We are fortunate to have eight of the charter members still active in our club. Twice we have come together to assemble Water Pasteurization Indicators (WAPIs) for organizations in Kenya and Ghana. Birthday bags and coupons are given to the Interfaith Food Bank on a monthly basis. Coupons are used to purchase food and other items and those not used are given to Veterans families throughout the U.S. In May we honored longtime resident and teacher, Marianne Pantle, presenting her with a Rotary “Service Above Self” award.

 

 

In support of the The Rotary Foundation, our Club members gave $7,405 to the Annual Fund with every club member contributing to the Foundation. Our per capita giving was $308 for the year. We were the number four club in giving out of 52 clubs in the district. We were the only club in our area to make the top ten. We will receive the Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) recognition for the year ending June 30, 2014. Our Club donated $2,000 to the Polio Plus fund bringing our total giving to $9,405.

 

 

            We started the 2013-14 year with 24 members, and in August, initiated three new members for a total of 27, or a net gain of three. We are a small, but mighty club that accomplished a great deal on behave of Rotary International, our District, and our community. We have a great deal to be proud of as we move into the 2014-15 year. The Club’s incoming  president, Jim Rooney is well qualified as a leader and will serve the Club over the next 12 months. As I turn the gavel over to Jim, I am confident that he will receive the same support as I have during my term. Again, I want to thank each of you, and wish the very best to you and your family in the coming year.

 

 

                                                            With warmest regards,

 

                                                            Sharon