World Immunization Week
DID YOU KNOW...
DID YOU KNOW...
- Thanks to the polio vaccine, 19 million people who would otherwise be paralyzed by polio are walking, and 1.5 million people who would otherwise have died are alive.
- If all eradication efforts STOPPED today, in 10 years polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.
- The global effort to eradicate polio has already saved more than $27 billion in health care costs since 1988 and expects to save $14 billion more by 2025.
April is Environmental Month
The first recognized Earth Day was on April 22nd, 1970. Almost 54 years later, Rotarians are still shaping the conversation about the environment. From addressing climate change that threatens our food system, to fighting pollution that clogs our air and water, Rotarians find creative solutions to protect and enhance our vital resources.
Recently, our club completed our Community Garden Service Project, where we helped build and install a chicken coop, as well as rehabilitate raised gardens at 4C Academy. The Rotary Club of Dougherty County is dedicated to the Environment, and doing all we can to protect and preserve it!
The first recognized Earth Day was on April 22nd, 1970. Almost 54 years later, Rotarians are still shaping the conversation about the environment. From addressing climate change that threatens our food system, to fighting pollution that clogs our air and water, Rotarians find creative solutions to protect and enhance our vital resources.Recently, our club completed our Community Garden Service Project, where we helped build and install a chicken coop, as well as rehabilitate raised gardens at 4C Academy. The Rotary Club of Dougherty County is dedicated to the Environment, and doing all we can to protect and preserve it!
Rotary Awards
Congratulations to our very own Tommy Clark and Wynita Cannon on their impactful contributions to our community and Rotary as a whole! We are so proud to have such dedicated and hardworking leaders among our members!
Congratulations to our very own Tommy Clark and Wynita Cannon on their impactful contributions to our community and Rotary as a whole! We are so proud to have such dedicated and hardworking leaders among our members!
New Member Induction
Last week, the Rotary Club of Dougherty County was honored to induct four new members! The induction of new members into Rotary is not merely a ceremonial tradition, it's essential to the organization's continued growth and impact. Embracing diversity, harnessing fresh energy, expanding networks, nurturing future leaders, and maximizing community impact are just some of the reasons why welcoming new members into Rotary is so important. As Rotary continues to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of society, the recruitment and integration of new members will remain fundamental to its mission of serving humanity and building a better world!
Please help me by welcoming our newest new members: Pactrice Williams, Katie Wright, Dr. Scarlette Garcia, and Randi Tatum!
Last week, the Rotary Club of Dougherty County was honored to induct four new members! The induction of new members into Rotary is not merely a ceremonial tradition, it's essential to the organization's continued growth and impact. Embracing diversity, harnessing fresh energy, expanding networks, nurturing future leaders, and maximizing community impact are just some of the reasons why welcoming new members into Rotary is so important. As Rotary continues to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of society, the recruitment and integration of new members will remain fundamental to its mission of serving humanity and building a better world!
Please help me by welcoming our newest new members: Pactrice Williams, Katie Wright, Dr. Scarlette Garcia, and Randi Tatum!
Dougherty County Rotary Club: People of Action!
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March is Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month
Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.
If your water was cut off today, how would it affect you? Would you be mad? Annoyed at your utility company for the inconvenience? Imagine not knowing where to find clean water. Or even further, having no access to clean water at all. What would you do? How would you live?
Rotary helps this crisis through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs. What can our club do to help?
Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.
If your water was cut off today, how would it affect you? Would you be mad? Annoyed at your utility company for the inconvenience? Imagine not knowing where to find clean water. Or even further, having no access to clean water at all. What would you do? How would you live?
Rotary helps this crisis through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs. What can our club do to help?
Service Project Celebration!
This project was in conjunction with our receipt of a Community Service Grant from the Rotary Foundation! Thank you to all of our club members who dedicated their time to make this project a success.
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Albany, Georgia is located in the 8th Congressional District where children living below poverty levels total in excess of 70%. In Albany and throughout Southwest Georgia, access to foods essential to a healthy diet is a struggle. This happens for a variety of reasons, including low-income, lack of access to public transit, and long distances to groceries and markets.
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Our purchase of a Chicken Coop will provide an expansion to the Community Garden, located at the Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy (4C Academy). This will not only allow for fresh eggs that will be distributed to its students, as well as students in the Dougherty County School System, but will also align with the strategy of the 4C Academy to educate students in vocational areas such as Agriculture, Agribuisiness and Logistics.
This project was in conjunction with our receipt of a Community Service Grant from the Rotary Foundation! Thank you to all of our club members who dedicated their time to make this project a success.
Albany, Georgia is located in the 8th Congressional District where children living below poverty levels total in excess of 70%. In Albany and throughout Southwest Georgia, access to foods essential to a healthy diet is a struggle. This happens for a variety of reasons, including low-income, lack of access to public transit, and long distances to groceries and markets.
Our purchase of a Chicken Coop will provide an expansion to the Community Garden, located at the Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy (4C Academy). This will not only allow for fresh eggs that will be distributed to its students, as well as students in the Dougherty County School System, but will also align with the strategy of the 4C Academy to educate students in vocational areas such as Agriculture, Agribuisiness and Logistics.
World Peace and Understanding Day
World Peace and Understanding Day takes place on February 23 every year. This day is actually a commemoration of the first meeting of Rotary that was held. This meeting of businessmen, which aimed to be a space where their backgrounds didn’t matter, started the chain of events that led to the formation of Rotary International. An international organization dedicated to humanitarian service as well as peace and goodwill throughout the world, Rotary International began in Chicago, U.S. The date of the first meeting has since become World Understanding and Peace Day, which is part of the World Understanding Month celebrations in February.
World Peace and Understanding Day takes place on February 23 every year. This day is actually a commemoration of the first meeting of Rotary that was held. This meeting of businessmen, which aimed to be a space where their backgrounds didn’t matter, started the chain of events that led to the formation of Rotary International. An international organization dedicated to humanitarian service as well as peace and goodwill throughout the world, Rotary International began in Chicago, U.S. The date of the first meeting has since become World Understanding and Peace Day, which is part of the World Understanding Month celebrations in February.2/13 Meeting Recap
Last week we had the privilege of hosting the recipients of Albany Technical College's 2024 Goal Student award and Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year award!
The Goal Student and RPA Instructor of the Year were carefully chosen through a competitive presentation and interview process conducted last year. This year’s competition consisted of seven nominees in the instructor of the year category and nine nominees in the student of the year category.
This year's GOAL student (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) is Zavian Simpson (pictured left) and the Rick Perkins Instructor of the year was awarded to Timothy Nelson (pictured second from the right).
A huge thank you to our club's very own Tracy Wallace for coordinating these incredible speakers. It was easy to see why these men are so deserving of these awards. Congratulations again and thank you Albany State University!
Last week we had the privilege of hosting the recipients of Albany Technical College's 2024 Goal Student award and Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year award! The Goal Student and RPA Instructor of the Year were carefully chosen through a competitive presentation and interview process conducted last year. This year’s competition consisted of seven nominees in the instructor of the year category and nine nominees in the student of the year category.
This year's GOAL student (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) is Zavian Simpson (pictured left) and the Rick Perkins Instructor of the year was awarded to Timothy Nelson (pictured second from the right).
A huge thank you to our club's very own Tracy Wallace for coordinating these incredible speakers. It was easy to see why these men are so deserving of these awards. Congratulations again and thank you Albany State University!
People of Action
Helping Hands
On Friday, January 26th, a few of our club members volunteered at Alice Coachman Elementary School as part of our club's Helping Hands service project. They helped pack take-home bags full of all the leftover non-perishable items from the lunches for that week. They separated the cold items with extra care and helped organize the bags by grade level, K-3. Right now our club volunteers once a month for this project, but we are taking on another week and will be volunteering bi-weekly at Alice Coachman Elementary. Stay posted for that sign-up opportunity!
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Last Week Meeting Recap
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At last week's meeting on Tuesday, January 16th we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Stan Moye & Team from the International Aerobatics Club! We heard stories and saw videos of heart stopping in-air tricks, and learned how much practice it takes to withstand the G-force's experienced when you're flying directly toward the ground!
At last week's meeting on Tuesday, January 16th we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Stan Moye & Team from the International Aerobatics Club! We heard stories and saw videos of heart stopping in-air tricks, and learned how much practice it takes to withstand the G-force's experienced when you're flying directly toward the ground!
2024-25 Presidential Theme
Rotary President-elect Stephanie Urchick revealed the 2024-2025 presidential theme, The Magic of Rotary! "We are not going to end polio or bring peace to the world by waving a wand. It's up to you. You create the magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member."
Rotary President-elect Stephanie Urchick revealed the 2024-2025 presidential theme, The Magic of Rotary! "We are not going to end polio or bring peace to the world by waving a wand. It's up to you. You create the magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member."
January is Vocational Service Month
"Vocational Service gives Rotarians the opportunity to help others escape poverty and gain a measure of self-respect. As business and professional leaders, we have a duty to lead and encourage good ethics through vocation." Carlos From, PDG D6446
During January, Rotarians are encouraged to focus on this important avenue of Rotary service. Discussions on vocational service can lead to projects that not only develop the ethical consciousness and vocational skills of Rotarians but also the talents within their communities. Vocational Service Month is an opportunity to begin year-long vocational service activities, ranging from Rotary discussions to awards to community projects.
"Vocational Service gives Rotarians the opportunity to help others escape poverty and gain a measure of self-respect. As business and professional leaders, we have a duty to lead and encourage good ethics through vocation." Carlos From, PDG D6446
During January, Rotarians are encouraged to focus on this important avenue of Rotary service. Discussions on vocational service can lead to projects that not only develop the ethical consciousness and vocational skills of Rotarians but also the talents within their communities. Vocational Service Month is an opportunity to begin year-long vocational service activities, ranging from Rotary discussions to awards to community projects.
Wild Lights at Chehaw
Thanks to everyone who volunteered at Chehaw's Wild Lights night on December 15th. We had members helping load and un-load the train, help at the arts & crafts table, greet people at concessions, and even dress up in costume! The kids were thrilled to see The Grinch, Elfie, and Ninja Turtle! There was dancing at the train stop and a good time was had by all.
Thanks to everyone who volunteered at Chehaw's Wild Lights night on December 15th. We had members helping load and un-load the train, help at the arts & crafts table, greet people at concessions, and even dress up in costume! The kids were thrilled to see The Grinch, Elfie, and Ninja Turtle! There was dancing at the train stop and a good time was had by all.
During last week's meeting we completed our annual in-meeting service project, Santa For Seniors. Members that were in attendance helped stuff 50 gift bags of goodies for homebound seniors in our area. President Tommy Clark and Jennifer Dozier delivered the bags to SOWEGA Council on Aging after our meeting for distribution.
On Saturday, December 9th members of our club participated in the Salvation Army's Red kettle campaign by ringing bells at Sams Club. This campaign began in 1891 when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee was distraught because so many poor individuals in San Francisco were going hungry, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for those that were poverty-stricken. To fund the project, he placed a pot with a sign that read, "Keep the Pot Boiling" at the foot of Market Street.
To this day, the bell-ringing is an iconic sound that puts people in the giving spirit. A ringing reminder that Christmas is almost here.
We have partnered with Austin's Firegrill & Oyster Bar for a food drive benefiting Feeding the Valley Albany! Please help us provide food for families in need this holiday season. You can bring unexpired and non-perishable food items to our two next meetings at Austin's or drop off anytime during their business hours, November 13th-22nd.
As we embrace November, we're excited to focus our efforts on supporting The Rotary Foundation, our very own charity, with an outstanding 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
It is truly a phenomenal organization with incredible reach and an impeccable pedigree. This month, we invite you to join us in making a positive impact by making a donation. Your support will help us continue the amazing work we do.
What impact can one donation have?
- For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio.
- $50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness.
- $500 can launch an antibullying campaign and create a safe environment for children.
To donate, please HERE
On Friday, October 26th, Rotarians Liz Knight, Gayle Woolard and Robin Major represented our Club volunteering for Helping Hands at Alice Coachman Elementary School. This program takes food that would normally end up in a landfill and disperses it to children in need so they will have food over the weekend.
The next opportunity to volunteer with Helping Hands will be on January 26th. We still need two more volunteers for this day. If you would like to participate, please let Tommy know.
We held our October 10th meeting at 4C Academy with a visit from our Rotary District Governor, André Marria. We took this opportunity to share information on the grant funding we received to purchase supplies and expand 4C's community garden. This will increase the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables for students in need. After the meeting we had the opportunity to tour the facility, garden and greenhouse.
During the meeting we also inducted two new members to our club, Robin Strickland, Sales Office Manager for the Southwest Georgia Living Magazine, and Jessica Zurheide, Director of Business Relations with the Albany/Dougherty Economic Development Commission. We are very excited to have these two ladies join our club.
This week's meeting on Tuesday, October 17th will include a presentation from Terry Ho on his newest venture, Grand Island Park. Many of us know Terry from the restaurant industry and his famous Yum Yum sauce, but he is about to do something even bigger with a development at the former Grand Island Golf Club. Join us to hear more about his plans for this much needed project for our area.
At our October 3rd meeting we continued with our monthly "Get to Know Your Members" presentation panel. This month we heard from Nathaniel Copper, Elyse Bower and Liz Knight. Nathaniel is the Program Director for our local Turner Job Corps Center, Elyse is the Director of Marketing and Development for Horizons, South Georgia’s Cancer Coalition and Liz Knight is the General Sales Manager with WALB. It was great to get to know more about these fellow Rotarians and their passion for our community and Rotary.
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This year our Helping Hands school is Alice Coachman Elementary. The fourth Friday of the month is our service opportunity to pack food items for students to take home for the weekend. Three club members volunteer for this opportunity each time. Contact Morgan Burnette to schedule your volunteer service time. Helping Hands impacts our environment by reducing waste in our landfills and provides food for students with limited resources.
Upcoming dates and volunteers:
Upcoming dates and volunteers:
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April 26th: Mary Ligon, Becca Cook Elyse Bower
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May 24th
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June 28th
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July 26th