Rochester Rotary Club 2022

Weekly Speakers

Masters Tournament Raffle

Medical Mission in Guatemala

Welcome to the Rochester Rotary Club!

Shred it and Help Eradicate Polio

Last year our club raised about $3,000 for the Rotary Foundation to help in the fight to eradicate polio. This year, we join our major sponsor Endo Pharmaceutical to attempt to beat that amount.

On October 17, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., the public was invited to bring old documents to Bordine’s parking lot at 1835 S. Rochester Road to have them shredded. The fee is $10 per carload, approximately five boxes or bags. We are looking for paper & light cardboard ONLY.

We have volunteers who will come and pick up the materials to be shredded for a fee of $20. If you have any questions or want to schedule a pickup, you can call 248/408-9868

Rotarians Helping Neighbors

At our September 6^th meeting, Rochester Rotarians collected $535 for Neighborhood House (NH). The money will be taken to the Meijer store on South Rochester Road and donated to the Meijer Simply Give program Meijer has pledged to double match all donations made on Saturday, September 10^th. This week’s gift will realize $1,755 in gift cards for NH’s Food Pantry. The money comes at a very appropriate time, as the recent area power outage required that NH quickly disperse all food in their large refrigerators. Now they have to restock those refrigerators.

Over the years, Rochester Rotary has supported the excellent work of NH. Most notable was a $15,000 gift for NH’s capital campaign. Some projects have been much more hands-on, like sorting school supplies as part of NH’s Blast Off to School program and Christmas parties for NH kids.

As its mission statement says, Neighborhood House walks the path toward self-sustainability with our neighbors during times of hardship. “Our vision is a community of neighbors helping neighbors thrive,” said Rotarian and NH Executive Director Michael Dreon.

Rotary President Tim Duncan said, “This was a quick project where Rotarians were able to come to the aid of an important community organization and service.”

Necessities Needed for Foster Children

Rochester Rotary, Rochester Lions, Rochester Hills Lions, and the Rochester Kiwanis Clubs are working together to celebrate and give back to the community with a joint service event held September 11-17. The project will focus on collecting new underwear, socks, diapers, and pajamas for children in the foster care system.

"Imagine the difference we can make when we harness the power of our two service organizations, who share a passion for taking action and creating lasting change," said Rotary President Tim Duncan.

Kiwanis President Chuck Bissell said, "We looked around for a project that would serve children in particular and decided to focus on foster children this year."

Foster care is a temporary living situation for children whose parents cannot take care of them and whose need for care has come to the attention of child welfare agency staff. While in foster care, children may live with relatives, with foster families, or in group facilities. Over 13,500 children in Michigan are fostered.

Drop boxes for donated items will be available at the Rochester Hills Public Library and Eugenias 3^rd Street Hair Gallery, both in downtown Rochester. Donation boxes will be available from September 11 through September 17.

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer business leaders dedicated to improving lives at local and international levels, from helping those in need in their communities to working toward a polio-free world.

Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International clubs and members are dedicated to serving the world's children in 85 nations and geographic areas.

Although the two local clubs are associated with international organizations, the clothing necessities service project is designed to help foster children in Oakland County.

Win a trip to the 2023 Masters Tournment

The Rochester Rotary Club has begun selling raffle tickets for the 2023 Masters Tournament, which will take place in Augusta Georgia on April 8^th and 9^th, 2023. Tickets are $100 each, and only 350 tickets will be sold.

The drawing will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Raffle ticket holders may join the Rotarians for lunch but need not be present to win. To RSVP for lunch, contact Jeff Whitby at 248/327-4555.

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.”

Tim Crawford, a Rotarian and a past raffle winner, said, “This is a trip of a lifetime!”

License Number: R66306

Rotarians Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Rotary Gateway Park

Rochester, Michigan - The Rochester Rotary Club celebrated the 25th anniversary of Rotary Gateway Park on August 14th. Under the extraordinary leadership of Dr. Bill Ebinger, the park was created in collaboration with the Rochester Hills Public Library, the City of Rochester, and the Rochester Rotary. The small park is located just west of the library.

Rotary club president Dr. Tim Duncan welcomed over forty members to the event, saying, “The Club is proud to provide the community with this one-quarter acre park, which hundreds of people visit each week.”

A new Rotary International emblem was dedicated and installed as part of the celebration. “The installation of the emblem was completed just in time,” said Ebinger. “We truly appreciate the generosity of John and Mary Modetz for providing the blue stone emblem.”

Although the Rotary club built the park and maintains it, several individuals have donated items like the gazebo, the fountain, sundial, and statues.

Rochester resident Jane Quigley maintains the garden weekly, trimming, removing, and replacing plants as needed. At the anniversary celebration, Dr. Ebinger praised Jane for her care and commitment to the garden.

Established in 1954, the Rochester Rotary Club has over 100 active members who raise money to do good in the community, region, and the world.

Greetings from President Tim

Welcome to the Rochester Rotary Club. Thank you for visiting our site!

Imagine Rotary is this year's theme for Rotary International, bringing to mind the 1971 John Lennon song of the same name. The underlying theme of this song is peace building, which was one of the primary tracks at the Rotary International Conference in Houston, Texas. My predecessor started this initiative within our club, and I hope to continue along this path.

Our club (and Rotary as a whole) is filled with an incredibly diverse group of individuals, and sometimes our differences bubble up to the top. In today's climate, many people look at those differences as insurmountable. I look at them as opportunities to learn and grow. We are all Rotarians, and our differences do not divide us; they make us stronger as a whole. Messaging is critical, and respect and kindness will unite us all to serve our club, community, and world. I am excited about this upcoming year and can't wait to Imagine Rotary!

Dr. Timothy Duncan, DVM

President 2022-2023

Rochester Rotary

AED Donated to Dutton Farm

At its August 9^th meeting, the Rochester Rotary Club presented an automated external defibrillator (AED) to Dutton Farm. Dutton Farm is a special education farm in Oakland Township. Formed in 2010, the Farm works to empower and support adults with disabilities to live a life of purpose, inclusion, and dignity.

“We have wanted an AED for some time and appreciate this gift,” said Kimberly Staudacher, the Community Relations Manager for Dutton Farms. “Fortunately, we never needed an AED, but it is better to be prepared for emergencies.”

AEDs are essential first-aid devices for every home, business, and organization. The Rotary Club purchased the AED for its meetings, but the club now meets at the Rochester Community House, where an AED is already available. Kyle Johnson, President-Elect of Rotary, said, “We wanted to find a new home for our device and looked for an organization in the area that did not already have an AED.”

The Rochester Rotary Club consists of about 100 individuals living or working in Rochester, Rochester Hills, or Oakland Township. The Club meets for lunch every Tuesday at the Rochester Community House.

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