Rochester Rotary Club 2022

Weekly Speakers

Masters Tournament Raffle

Medical Mission in Guatemala

Welcome to the Rochester Rotary Club!

And the Winner is: Jack Riggs!!

Rotarian Jack Riggs is the 2023 Masters Raffle Winner

The drawing was held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, and Rotarian Jack Riggs is this year's winner for this trip of a lifetime!

Rotarian Cindy Purdy said, “The trip includes a round-trip private air charter for two from Oakland International Airport to Aiken, SC. A private shuttle from Aiken to Augusta, Masters Tournament badges for Saturday and Sunday, dinner, and hotel accommodations for Saturday night.”

Unfortunately, Jack was not in attendance, but he did answer his phone to hear the good news! Congratulations to Jack and his lucky friend who will attend with him.

2023 Beer & Wine Tasting Fundraiser

Each spring, Rochester Rotary hosts one of Rochester's most popular charity events, the Wine & Beer Tasting Fundraiser. Hosted at the Rochester Road Bordine's, the event includes new and unique wines from local distributors and incredible food from over a dozen area restaurants.

In addition to fantastic food and drinks, the event featured a silent auction with items like sports tickets, nights like the swanky Royal Park Hotel, dinner packages, and more. Haig's of Rochester even auctioned off some exquisite jewelry pieces.

The 2023 Wine & Beer Tasting Fundraiser will occur on Friday, April 21st, from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Wine Tasting Tables
Beer Tasting Tables
Cuisine Sampling from 20 Local Area Restaurants
Music by "D & A Duo"
Haig's of Rochester Jewelry Auction

Paul Harris Fellows Announced

Ernie Schaefer, Foundation Chair for Rochester Rotary, presented Paul Harris Fellowship Awards today to Phil McPeek and Peter Stuhlreyer. This is Phil's ninth Paul Harris with our Club, although he is already a Major Donor in his former club. This is Pete's first Paul Harris Fellowship Award.

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

Songs of Love for Valentine's Day

A girls' chorus from Rochester High School sang four songs to our club in honor of Valentine's Day. They did a great job and brightened the day for all present.

Rotary Foundation

With over 1.4 million members and 535 districts worldwide, Rotary International was the first service club in the world. Today’s speaker, Kevin Kelly, is the Regional Major Gifts Officer for Rotary International’s Rotary Foundation. He is responsible for major gift cultivation and stewardship in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, and Southern Ontario.

The Foundation's primary goal in recent years is the eradication of polio in the world. By raising $50 million each year, the Foundation has received a matching grant of $100,000 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the last two countries that still are fighting polio. It appears that they may be polio-free in the next couple of years!

A second priority for the Foundation is its disaster response fund. Funds have most recently been used to help the Ukrainians.

Most of the Foundation's funding comes from individuals. You can contact Kevin directly (Kevin.Kelly@Rotary.org) or Ernie Schaefer if you want to be part.

Rochester Rotary Welcomes New Member Beth Collins

On behalf of the Club, President Tim Duncan inducted Beth Collins into the club. Also pictured is Stu Signer, her sponsor.

For the past year and a half, Beth has worked at Ascension Providence Rochester's Foundation. As she traveled around the community, she kept hearing people talk about Rotary and decided to join! Beth earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Oakland University and lives in the Farmington area with her husband and two children.

Club Receives an Update on ACE

Rebekah Smith, MSW, Certified School Social Worker

Rebekah Smith is the full-time social worker at the Rochester Community Schools' Alternative Center for Education (ACE) Program. She is a crucial support staff member involved in expanding and revamping the ACE program this year. The school serves 55 students and offers a virtual program and vocational training off-campus. There is also a new special education component in the school.

In addition to her work in the ACE, Rebekah informed us that her high school career included membership in her school's Interact Club.

Grants Totaling Over $100,000/Year

Local & Regional Charities

Neighborhood House
Rochester Community Schools Foundation
Rochester Area Youth Assistance
Dutton Farms
Dynamic Kids - Rochester Hills
Grace Center for Hope
Habitat for Humanity
Haven
Know Resolve
Older Person's Commission (OPC)
Paint Creek Center for The Arts
Community House
Rotary Gateway Park
Rochester Christmas Parade

Youth Programs

Eight, 4-year College Scholarships
Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening (RYLA)
International Youth Exchange Program
Job Shadowing
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
Oakland University Rotaract Graduate Scholarship

International

Casa Colibri Medical Mission – Guatemala
“Play For Peace" Project – Nigeria, Africa
Polio Plus (Global Polio Eradication, established in 1988)
Rotary Club of Accra-Spintex-Accra Ghana, Africa (school)
Shelter Box

Annual Hands-On Service Projects

Local & Regional Charities

Assistance League - assistance with “Operation School Bell”
Neighborhood House
- Packed school supplies for “Back-to-School” event
- Sort Christmas presents for Christmas Party
- Rotary Christmas Party (with presents & Santa Claus for needy kids)
- Load trucks to “Stamp Out” hunger
Older Person's Commission (OPC): Act of Kindness & Meals on Wheels
Polio Plus (October Polio Awareness Month
Rotary Club of Accra-Spintex-Accra Ghana, Africa (school)
Rochester Christmas Parade: Float - with Interact involvement
Grace Center for Hope
Literacy Program: Greater Rochester Area
Salvation Army - Bell Ringing at Lagniappe in Rochester
Rotary Gateway Park operations (a peaceful area we built for our community)

Youth Programs

5 Local Area High School Interact Clubs (ACE, Adams, Rochester, Stoney Creek, and Avondale High Schools) (a collaboration with Rochester Communities Schools)
Scholarship Recipient Recognition Luncheon
Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening (RYLA)
International Youth Exchange Program
Job Shadowing
Grace Center for Hope
Oakland University Rotaract Club (a collaboration with Oakland University)

International

Polio Plus (Polio Eradication Globally: created in 1988 to eradicate polio globally) add web link
Casa Colibri Medical Mission – Guatemala
“Hands-On” Clint Support & Literacy Project Teaching Teachers English

Social Activities

Club Christmas Party – Members and spouses celebrate the years accomplishments
Club Golf Outing (social event and fundraiser)
Presidents Transition Dinner - Members and spouses congratulate the immediate past President for a job well done and welcome the incoming Club President.
Rotary Gateway Park picnic –
Rochester Christmas Parade – Rotarians and youth affiliates celebrate the Christmas season together

Leadership Activities

Monthly Club Board Meetings
Regular Rochester Rotary Charities, Inc., Board Meetings
Committee Meetings
Fundraising Project Team Meetings
Past President’s Dinner – Leadership feedback regarding Club initiatives
President’s Appreciation Dinner – Club President expresses appreciation to Board Members for their support during his term

Click HERE to see a typical list of Rochester Area Affiliate High School and College Clubs Accomplishments

The Rotary Gateway Park is a hidden gem in downtown Rochester. Built by the Rochester Rotary Club in 1997, the park features beautiful flower beds, a cascading water feature, and benches to sit and enjoy a few quiet moments. The Rochester Rotary Club continues upgrade and enhance the park through the volunteer efforts of club members and funding from the purchase of memorial bricks.

Learn More About our Park