On June 3, 2023 the City of Plano celebrated its 150th birthday in Haggard Park with a free celebration for the entire community. Guests could enjoy live entertainment, cupcakes, family activities and booths with all sorts of information on the offerings from city departments. Heritage organizations were set up around the park to educate guests on various aspects of the city’s history.
Plano West Rotary was invited to support the craft station where kids and adults alike could make birthday cards for the city. Project leaders Courtney Hitt and Jennifer Shertzer brainstormed the supplies for the project in advance, and made a list of items that the City staff purchased. On the afternoon of the celebration, volunteers set up the tables with art supplies, helped guests choose the embellishments they wanted, restocked as necessary, hung up cards to display for attendees to see, and cleaned up at the end.
Eleven volunteers served a total of 19.5 hours, including the time spent planning. Plano West Rotary members Emmanuel Smart, Sumbel Zeb, Robert Ellis, Preksha Shah and Julia Stafford joined Jennifer and Courtney. Non-Rotarian community volunteers included Luke Shertzer, Shruthi Nadathur, Janice Mak and Thomas Goodwin. Shruthi and Janice wanted to help because they are members of a Plano West Senior High School club that makes cards and other items to lift the spirits of adults living in senior homes. Service projects such as this allow Plano West Rotary support education and promote peace, which are two of Rotary’s seven areas of focus.
At the craft table, residents of all different cultural backgrounds sat together and talked while helping their children make the craft. Multiple spoken languages could be overheard. This shows how truly diverse Plano is and that all people are welcome here. Guests were also able to stretch their artistic muscles and show off their creativity with stickers, markers, glitter glue, patterned papers and more. Plano West Rotary members love being out and about in the community. One guest stopped to ask club members what Rotary was about and how he could support or become involved. The club’s visual presence at large events like these reminds people that Rotary is all about "Service Above Self."