President's Message
Giving Back
Giving is more than an activity. It is a way of life and a beacon in the search for hope in troubled times. Giving to Rotary allows us to do special local and international projects. We see those who need help uplifted as we serve. Through giving, we find our own meaning and purpose.
This week Cheryl, Jon Paul Croom, Langdon Hollingsworth, and Lisa Carlisle will share how the money our club contributes to the foundation allows us to fund projects such the Wellstar Zero Suicide Prevention Initiative thanks to a competitive district grant, an update on the recently rewarded global grant in Panama, and some food for thought - why our giving should never stop.
This Week's Speaker
Foundation
Cheryl Greenway is a Past President of our club, a Past District Governor and continues to serve District 6900 as the Foundation Chair. The Rotary International Foundation is consistently one of the highest rated organizations on Charity Navigators list and one of the best places to donate money if you want it to get to those in need.
As Club President, Cheryl led the club to the Best Club recognition as well as being individually awarded the District 6900 Sheffield Leadership Award. She is a Major Donor, Paul Harris Fellow Society Member, Bequest Society Member, a Will Watt Fellow and a Hue Thomas Fellow.
Cheryl feels blessed to be a second generation Rotarian. Her father was in the Roswell Rotary Club from the early 1960's until his passing in 1991. She is a member of RUMC and loves traveling and reading.
Valentine's Gift Bags
Rotary Has a Heart for Seniors
It is February! Let us show our love for seniors by providing gift bags on Valentines Day.
We need lotion, lip balm, body wash, deodorant, puzzle books with extra large print, trivia and coloring books, non-skid socks, soft mints, and facial wet wipes. Please bring your donation to our meeting this Thursday, Feb. 11th.
We will deliver 121 bags to seniors at Green Street Nursing Home on Sunday, Feb. 14th.
Freezin' for a Reason
Join RPD in the Polar Plunge, Sat. Feb. 20th
The Roswell Police Department has asked that we join their team in the Special Olympics of Georgia Polar Plunge 2021 at Acworth Beach.
Allison Judy, Dave McCleary, Butch Neeley, John Reddick and David Wash have taken the challenge! Be certain to support them!
Click https://www.classy.org/team/336460 to sign up or donate or ask President Lynne.
Feb 26 / Mar 02 at Gate City
When Roswell needs blood, where does it come from?
As amazing our we are, we Georgians haven't been able to manufacturer blood. Yet we can't live without it.
While we make our own, you or someone you know has needed blood. Ask 3 fellow Rotarians, and between the 4 of you, someone's medical care likely required blood.
Even if you are the 2 out of 3 people who is not eligible to donate, you can help by inviting someone to participate in our upcoming blood drive. And if you are eligible to give, just look in the mirror and invite yourself!
BONUS: Give a Pint? Get a Pint! Thanks to Pat Rains and Gate City Brewery, whoever gives a pint of blood gets a gift of a pint of beer -- to be enjoyed anytime over the next 6 months! And our friends at Amazon are adding in a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card!
Roswell Rotary is hosting 2 dates at Gate City Brewery. For details and to "reserve your table", please go to www.redcrossblood.org/ and in the “Find a Blood Drive” box, enter “RoswellRotary” (no space between the words). Fri, Feb 26 11a - 4p Tue, Mar 02, 11a - 4p
ALSO: Volunteers are needed both days to help with sign-in and the commissary. Contact John Reddick if you're interested in volunteering for a few hours.
Tuesday, March 2nd 10:00 AM Virtual read to Kindergartners
Read Across America
Can you find an extra 20 minutes to spare for kids?
The kindergarteners of West Roswell will be thrilled to have you as a guest reader for Read Across Roswell Day at 10:00 a.m. on March 2nd.
Just sign up to read for one of the classes below. Before March 2nd you will receive a calendar invite to a Microsoft Teams meeting. You will join that meeting to read. We will be reading Come With Me by Holly McGhee. It is a sweet story about community during hard times. Copies are available at our weekly meetings or we can deliver if you attend online. After you read the book we will donate to the students.
Click here to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49AAAD22A3FA7-read2 Reach out to Stacy Perlman at perlman@fultonschools.org with questions.
Have fun Reading Across Roswell!
Charity Spotlight
Foster Care Support
Mission:
To strengthen the ability of foster families to meet the needs of their foster children by implementing community-based resources and education that can decrease the need for institutionalized care.
Fast Facts:
• Founded in a garage by Rachel Ewald in 1996 and incorporated in 2000.
• Since 2000, FCFS has served over 52,000 children with free clothing, toys, school supplies and safe infant care items throughout every county in GA.
• FCSF provides up to $8 million worth of in-kind services and goods on a budget of just over $700,000 and over 7,000 annual volunteers.
• The State plans to place at least 50% of foster children with relatives by 2018 with little or no support. Many of these families have little income or support of their own.
• FCSF now offer 12 different services to foster parents, including:
- Wardrobing: New or gently used clothing to children entering foster care.
- Infant Care Equipment: Car seats, changing tables, high chairs, strollers.
- Toys: Developmental and social toys, bikes, and games, etc.
- Book Distribution: Academic and pleasure reading material.
- Prom-a-Palooza Event: Prom dresses and accessories for female teens.
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Offer resources and services to relative care givers.
- Long Distance Distribution Program: Mail clothing, toys, and other items to children residing in homes outside the metro area that are unable to visit the center in Roswell.
- Foster Smiles: Engaging community professionals, medical or other, to offer in-kind services.
- Independent Living Services: Supply clothing to college students exiting the foster care system for two years to give them a boost and help them get stabilized in a new life.
- Continuing Education for Foster Parents: Provide information and training about how to improve the care of abused and neglected children.
- Hope for Tomorrow Mentorship Program: Help teens develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities to become successful adults.
- Georgia Cares Partnership (GCP): Engaging communities, faith-based organizations, and companies to partner for the recruitment of foster homes and volunteers.
Find out more:
www.fostercares.org
Rotary Last Week
