Friday, March 15, 2024
By William J. Marcus Jr.
Rotarians out in the schools! Each year during Rotary Reader our Club reads to every 2nd grade class in District 7, talks to them about our profession, community service, and of course, Rotary! This year we had 34 Rotarians reaching over 600 students.
See some of our Rotarians in action here:
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By Joe C. Mullinax
President Coby Hennecy and Perrin Powell (right) present Frank Lee with a certificate for his 50 years of service in our Club. Frank is a former President of the Club, represented us at the International Convention, is a Paul Harris Fellow, and for the past 30 years, has provided orientation to new members.
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Wednesday, February 14, 2024
By Ryan Edward Gaylord
The Rotary Club of Spartanburg is a group of business professionals seeking to support our community through Youth Opportunity Grants. Grants are provided in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to selected local agencies whose programs will provide a significant, positive, long-term impact on the lives of Spartanburg’s socially and economically vulnerable youth. Specifically, we desire to support programs directed towards the improvement of physical, mental, or emotional health conditions or the improvement of economic stability and mobility outcomes through educational opportunities. Preference will be given to agencies who have a demonstrated history of working with other local agencies to maximize the impact of investments.
We are soliciting requests for proposals from sustainable non-profits with 501(c)(3) status, or a fiscal agent with qualifying status, who have served Spartanburg for at least three years. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024, and must be submitted electronically to [email protected].
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Tuesday, July 18, 2023
By Joe C. Mullinax
The Rotary Club of Spartanburg inducted its new officers on Tuesday, July 11 at the Piedmont Club. The roster included: Coby Cartrette Hennecy (President), Louis J. Smith (President-Elect), Lindsay G. Dawkins, Scott R. Girouard, Ross H. Hammond, Cindy Hughes, Bhargava Kondaveeti, William J. Marcus, Jr., Chip McLeod, James J. Rohrer, Tammy E. Whaley, William Joseph Gray (Immediate Past President).
Coby Cartrette Hennecy, CPA, CFRE is the 107th President of the Rotary Club of Spartanburg and only its third female president. Coby has served six years on the Club’s Board of Directors. She is the Executive Director of the ETV Endowment of South Carolina and is also involved with other charitable organizations and her church, Church at the Mill. She is the mother of three children, Cole, Caroline and Carter.
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Friday, June 30, 2023
By Joe C. Mullinax
Spartanburg Magazine covers the Rotary Club of Spartanburg's mission and vision, along with highlighting a major international recognition.
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Tuesday, May 16, 2023
By Joe C. Mullinax
Youth Opportunity Grants are one of the Rotary Club of Spartanburg’s signature projects; these competitive grants benefit hundreds of students every year.
"This year the Rotary Club of Spartanburg received grant proposals from 23 area nonprofits supporting economically and socially vulnerable youth that collectively requested $112,257. Through the hard-work of our committee we were able to identify six recipients capable of making a significant impact on our community through their youth programming. I am thrilled to be able to award each of the following organizations a grant in the amount of $5,000 for a total commitment of $30,000 from the Rotary Club of Spartanburg," says Ryan Gaylord, Chairman of the Youth Opportunities Grant Committee.
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Saturday, April 22, 2023
By Joe C. Mullinax
"President William Gray set the goal of a 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club for 2022/23," says Scott Girouard. "As a former President myself, I had experience with this as I led my old Club in Florida to set the national record of the most Paul Harris Fellows ever awarded at once at 55. The Spartanburg Club is quite a large Club with over 180 members. It is also a very generous Club. We had many Paul Harris Fellows already and a group of 10 individuals were Paul Harris Fellows plus 5, plus 6, plus 7 and more (each number represents another $1,000 in giving to the Foundation). I began looking at what it would take for us to be 100% and with the continued generosity of our members we were able to add 84 Paul Harris Fellows at one time, setting a new Rotary International record.”
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Friday, April 21, 2023
By Joe C. Mullinax
Our club is passionate about the importance of reading and literacy in schools. Rotary Reader is our long-standing program that has Rotarians visit every Second Grade classroom in Spartanburg District 7 to read a book provided by the teacher, talk to the students about the work our Club does, and tell them a little about our professional life.
Rotarians William Marcus, Vicki Fowler, Laura Allen, Kathryn Harvey, Ann Angermeier at Drayton Mill Elementary.
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Wednesday, February 15, 2023
By Joe C. Mullinax
The Rotary Club of Spartanburg is a group of business professionals seeking to support our community through Youth Opportunity Grants. We award small grants to local agencies for programs specifically focusing on Spartanburg’s socially and economically vulnerable youth.
We are soliciting requests for proposals from established and sustainable non-profits with 501(c)(3) status, or a fiscal agent with qualifying status. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023, and must be submitted electronically to [email protected].
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Wednesday, January 11, 2023
By Joe C. Mullinax
For 14 years, the Rotary Club of Spartanburg has hosted Spartanburg Sings, a unique opportunity in the Upstate of South Carolina that serves as an all-county middle school Honors Chorus.
Spartanburg Sings is a collaboration among Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 and hosts 180-200 students for the concert, which is held at Spartanburg School District Three’s Community Auditorium.
This event does not happen without the support of Rotary and the community.
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Friday, November 18, 2022
By Joe C. Mullinax
The Rotary Club of Spartanburg has been recognized by both the District Governor and by the Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta for their work in the 2021-22 year.
President William Gray with Immediate Past President Cindy Kelly, under whose tenure the awards were earned.
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Thursday, August 25, 2022
By Joe C. Mullinax
Perrin Powell was asked to join the Club in 1972 by his uncles Pat Perrin and Buck Perrin. He jokes he was only 12 years old when he joined! In fact, he was a counselor at Spartanburg High School and got permission to leave campus every Tuesday for an hour to attend the meetings.
Today we honor Perrin Powell not only for his 50 years of service, but also for being a Paul Harris Fellow +5.
President William Gray, Kay and Perrin Powell.
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Tuesday, May 31, 2022
By Ryan Edward Gaylord
The Rotary Club of Spartanburg is providing grants to nine local non-profit organizations and awarding a total amount of $30,000 to help them with their important work.
This year the Youth Opportunity Grant Committee received fifteen grant proposals from area non-profits requesting a total of $67,950. We thank all those who made requests and applaud their efforts to improve the lives of youth within our community. From those fifteen worthy organizations the members of the Youth Opportunity Grant Committee were tasked with awarding $30,000.
The task undertaken by the committee is a difficult one, and I applaud and thank the committee members for their diligence through this process. I would like to recognize our members who comprise the committee. They are: Kathryn Boucher; Vic Bailey; William Gray; Don Williams; and Bill Brasington. These committee members diligently and thoughtfully reviewed all of the applications to find the programs that would create the largest positive impact on our youth and community.
Here are the award recipients and an overview of their programs:
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Friday, March 25, 2022
By Joe C. Mullinax
One of our long-standing projects is Rotary Reader. As part of our literacy mission, we visit every elementary school in District 7 and read to 2nd graders. This consists of visiting 7 elementary schools with 34 classrooms.
Here are a few shots from this year.
Mary Mathis at Cleveland Academy
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Thursday, March 24, 2022
By Joe C. Mullinax
The Rotary Club of Spartanburg’s fundraiser for February was Rotary Has Heart. The Club donated canned goods and supplies to TOTAL Ministries along with raising $5,154, which was presented to them on March 22, 2022.
Rotarians Louie Blanton, Cindy Hughes, Traci Kennedy (Executive Director of TOTAL Ministries), and Rotary Club of Spartanburg President Cindy Kelly.
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Wednesday, February 24, 2021
By Joe C. Mullinax
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Major General Darwin H. Simpson, US Army, retired, and a Spartanburg Rotarian for the past 24 years, will be inducted to the S.C. Aviation Hall of Fame on Feb. 25, 2021 as part of South Carolina Aviation Association’s Annual Conference.The S.C. Aviation Hall of Fame honors pioneers and leaders in the aviation industry who have made significant contributions to the development, advancement or promotion of aviation and have close ties to the state of South Carolina.
Darwin Simpson served as director of Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport on a voluntary basis from February 2009 through September 2017, drawing a salary of $1 per year. Simpson oversaw an extensive revitalization of many of the airport's facilities, including renovation and expansion of the airport terminal and runway improvements and extension.
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Thursday, February 25, 2021
By Joe C. Mullinax
The Rotary Club of Spartanburg contributed $2,500 to the Bringing Back the Burg Small Business Recovery Fund as part of the Club's COVID relief efforts.
Allen Smith with OneSpartanburg accepts the check from President Koger Bradford.
“On behalf of the Co-Chairs, David Britt and Dr. Kay Woodward, and the full Bringing Back the Burg Task Force, I want express my appreciation. COVID-19 has been devastating for many of Spartanburg’s small businesses. The Bringing Back the Burg Small Business Recovery Fund seeks to assist those small businesses who have been disproportionately impacted, and this contribution will help provide a bridge to the other side of the pandemic.” Allen Smith, President and CEO of OneSpartanburg, Inc.
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Tuesday, March 23, 2021
By Joe C. Mullinax
For 66 years the Rotary Club of Spartanburg has sponsored the Piedmont Science Fair. This support was started by two Spartanburg Rotarians who were also scientists. It is the hope of the Club that the Science Fair inspires our future scientists.
2020 and 2021 has presented many challenges. This year's Science Fair was virtual as well as the awards ceremony. We're pleased to present the Award winners in the video below.
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
By Joe C. Mullinax
The Centennial Rotary Clock celebrates 100 years of Rotary service in Spartanburg.
Did you know there was a Rotary Clock downtown? And that is was dedicated for the 100 year anniversary of the Spartanburg Club?
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Monday, April 5, 2021
By Coby Cartrette Hennecy
For the past decade, the Rotary Club of Spartanburg has hosted Spartanburg Sings, a unique opportunity in the Upstate of South Carolina that serves as an all-county middle school Honors Chorus. Spartanburg Sings is a collaboration among Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 and hosts 180-200 students for the concert, which is held at Spartanburg School District Three’s Community Auditorium.
This year because of COVID, the event was virtual. This video captures the 2021 performance.
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Wednesday, June 2, 2021
By Ryan Edward Gaylord
Rotary Club of Spartanburg awarded over $29,000 in Youth Opportunity Grants on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 to seven local organizations.
Rotarians and grant recepients at the presentation ceremony.
Youth Opportunity Grants are one of the Rotary Club of Spartanburg’s signature projects; these competitive grants benefit hundreds of students every year. Among the current uses of funds are leadership training, educational enrichment, science education, pediatric dental referrals, development of independent living skills and drowning prevention classes. In 2021, we received 20 requests totaling $82,511. We funded seven requests for a total of $29,262.
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Tuesday, July 13, 2021
By Joe C. Mullinax
The Rotary Club of Spartanburg inducted its new officers on Tuesday, July 13 at 12:30 pm at the Piedmont Club. The roster included: Cindy Kelly (President), William Joseph Gray (President-Elect), J. Derham Cole, Jr., Coby Cartrette Hennecy, Shelton Tate, Louis Smith, Samatha Nicholson Larkins, Chip McLeod, Ryan Edward Gaylord, Joe C. Mullinax, Lindsay Gosnell Garrity, Koger M. Bradford (Immediate Past President).
Outgoing President Koger Bradford is presented with a Golden Gavel for his service by incoming President Cindy Kelly.
“The Rotary Club of Spartanburg begins its 105th year of service to the Spartanburg community with the initiation of Cindy Kelly, Market President for TNB Financial Services, as our president for 2021-2022. Cindy has provided outstanding service as a member of our Board of Directors over the past three years and has already made an impact with the appointment of a new committee members and chairpersons for our important service projects.
Cindy is recognized as a business leader in our community. She is married to the Honorable Keith Kelly, Circuit Judge, and they have three daughters and three grandchildren. Cindy and Keith, who previously served as president of the Rotary Club of Woodruff, have been committed Rotarians for many years and between them have donated generously to the Rotary Foundation, achieving multiple Paul Harris fellowships for their contributions,” says outgoing Club President Koger Bradford.
Kelly follows in the footsteps of the Club’s first woman president, the Honorable Liz J. Patterson, who served on Spartanburg County Council, in the SC Sentate, the US House of Representatives, and as the Club’s President from 2010-11.
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Wednesday, October 20, 2021
By Joe C. Mullinax
“We are THIS CLOSE to eradicating polio worldwide,” said Cindy Kelly, President of The Rotary Club of Spartanburg. “Over the years, The Rotary Club of Spartanburg has given over $200,000 to the Polio Plus Program through the Rotary Foundation to help end this terrible disease.”
Rotary International, its global health partners, and Rotary Clubs around South Carolina and the world will be observing World Polio Day on Sunday, October 24, 2021 to raise awareness and to help eradicate Polio once and for all! Make a donation to this important cause here: https://my.rotary.org/en/donate
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Wednesday, January 5, 2022
By Joe C. Mullinax
Frank Lee has the unenviable job of recruiting folks for new member talks, but they are always very informative! Shown here: Frank Lee, John Sinderman, and Samuel Kim.
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Friday, February 5, 2021
By Joe C. Mullinax
The Rotary Club of Spartanbug presented a gift of $2,500 to the Salvation Army.
Andy Hayes, Rotarian and Salvation Army Board member, Captain Sam Kim of the Salvation Army, and President Koger Bradford.
"For many years the Rotary Club of Spartanburg has volunteered to ring the bell for Salvation Army and take in donations during the holiday. In response to the pandemic, we did not feel it was prudent to put our membership in harm's way this year, yet we knew their need was great. We asked our membership to contribute to this worthy cause and were able to provide $2,500 for their work in our community. In Rotary, we believe in making the world a better place and it starts at home," says President Koger Bradford.
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Thursday, December 17, 2020
By Joe C. Mullinax
The Rotary Club of Spartanburg hosted a fellow Rotarian from the Nairobi East Rotary Club of Kenya.
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George Rutto, from Nairobi Kenya, was visiting Spartanburg to attend graduation ceremonies for his daughter at the University of South Carolina Upstate. At a lunch hosted by several officers of the Spartanburg Rotary Club, we learned that George is a banker , CPA, runner, golfer and hobby farmer. The signature project of his Rotary Club is sponsorship of a home for children with disabilities, many of whom have been abandoned by their parents or families.
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Monday, September 14, 2020
By
Youth Opportunity Grants (YOG) is one of our club’s signature projects; these competitive grants benefit hundreds of students every year. Among the current uses of funds are camperships, educational enrichment, leadership training, financial literacy training, pediatric dental referrals, and drowning prevention classes. In 2020, we received 24 requests totaling $96,509. We funded nine requests for a total of $30,000.
Rotarians and representatives from organizations who received grants from the Spartanburg Rotary Club.
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Tuesday, September 15, 2020
By Joe C. Mullinax
The Rotary Club of Spartanburg has awarded $30,000 annually to organizations that serve young people. Youth Opportunity Grants (YOG) is one of our club’s signature projects; these competitive grants benefit hundreds of students every year. Among the current uses of funds are camperships, educational enrichment, leadership training, financial literacy training, pediatric dental referrals, and drowning prevention classes. Here are some photos representing Rotary's funding doing good work.
Immediate past President Barney Gosnell and incoming President Koger Bradford
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of the community's business and professional men and women. The world's Rotary clubs meet weekly and are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.
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The Rotary Club of Spartanburg provides both voluntary and financial support for a number of service, educational and humanitarian efforts. Each year, the Club gives back over $60,000 in financial support and countless hours of community service. We have sponsored the Piedmont Science Fair for 58 years covering six counties. We give $25,000 annually in Youth at Risk grants to youth serving organizations. Dozens of our members participate in Rotary Reader twice a year reading to elementary children and stressing education. We also ring the bell for the Salvation Army and have recently partnered with Hub City collecting books for children. We provide water filters and replacement parts for a remote village in Peru.
