Rotary Reflections 2021

We were honored to have Brett Kinman, administrator of our Christus St. Michael-Atlanta hospital as our speaker. Y’all, we are so blessed not only to have this man at the helm here, but to have our local hospital. Personally, we have learned how valuable this local resource is and encourage you to seek immediate help here instead of trying to “make it” to a larger hospital. Between them and our ambulance service, we are truly in good hands.

Have you wondered what the big deal is about Rotary? Why would you want to join us? We, as an international organization have made quite an impact in the world, and as a local club, we are working to make our community the best it can be. To be honest, we have had FUN picking up trash along FM 251 and 74 in front of our local High Schools. We have an opinion about which school area is the “least trashy” after the first pickup month at each site! We’ll continue to pick up each month (last weekend) and would love to have others join us.

Thanks to the many people who have contributed to our recent campaign to raise money for the 21-22 scholarship program. All donations are appreciated, even after June 17 when we draw for a winner of our current raffle. We have been blessed to have Peter and Marianne Van Bergh as a part of our club in the past and their passion for education. Peter was instrumental in establishing a Rotary scholarship program and his sons, Mark and Jim contributed to a fund in honor of their father and Mariannne. This fund has been gifting an Atlanta High School graduate since 2010 with a $5000 gift each year. Austin Head was the grateful student this year.

We’d love to hear from former winners about the value of this Van Bergh scholarship was to them. Winners in other years were Cameron Carney, Chaselyne Keith Haskins, Zachary Parker Clements, Vanessa Davis, Emily Madison Head, Elandria Steger, Everett John Baker III, Steven Tucker Coats, Megan A. Ross, Jessie Price and Hillary Cowan.

September 11 will see Rotarians directing a fun 5K run to benefit our local police department with some needed equipment. See Curt Bates at Price Hardware if you have any questions. That same day Rotarians will be on the “other” side of town cooking catfish for our first responders.

World-wide? Yes, Rotarians are building water and sanitation stations “over there” along with people who have seen the need. Educational programs have been started in many countries to help teach children how to read and write since the ticket to leave poverty lies in education. The sanitation stations are directly related to education since many girls were unable to attend schools monthly and thus were left behind. Trees have been planted all over the world. Oh, and have you heard about Polio? We are getting SO close to closing the door on this campaign. Pakistan and Afghanistan each have only had ONE case of new polio outbreak this year. Let’s pray there are no more cases in the next 3 1/2 years and Polio will be declared CONQUERED like Small Pox!

Our local Rotary club is just the tip of the iceberg. Come join us and make things happen “glocally”…here and abroad! We meet at Luigi’s every Thursday at noon and 2nd/4th Thursdays at 6 pm.