Fall is finally here, but can you believe the Rotary Year is almost 40% over. I feel the months are rushing by. I truly enjoyed visiting several Polio fundraisers and Veterans Day activities in the last few weeks. Plus I met this month with Rotarians and local children in Roatan, Honduras and Costa Maya, Mexico as I had the privilege to go on a cruise in preparation for the January 12-19th Annual District Conference International Service cruise.
The 2025 Rotary International Convention will be held in beautiful Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is a lovely city which can be reached without traveling over oceans and it doesn’t require a passport for USA citizens. It’s the perfect place to attend an RI Convention for its close proximity and beauty, as well as its rich western and cattle culture. The convention begins on Saturday June 21, 2025 and ends June 25, 2025.
The Rotary Clubs of Plano have announced Saturday, Dec. 14 as the date of the 2024 Plano holiday parade. Even more exciting, Olympic Gold Medal gymnast and Plano resident Hezly Rivera will make a special appearance in the parade as the Holiday Spirit Ambassador.
The Melissa Rotary Club conducted a Veteran’s Day observance at the Melissa Rotary Park on November 11th. The Rotary Club of Melissa has conducted Veteran’s Day Observances since the founding of the club back in 2010.
A group of high school students in Rockwall are leading the way in service and leadership. The Rockwall High School Interact Club brings together students with a passion to serve. These peer leaders are an excellent example to others in their school, neighborhoods, and larger community.
The Rockwall Breakfast Rotary Club hosted the 2024 Rockwall Rib Rub Run & Roll Car Show on October 5th, marking the first year the City of Rockwall entrusted the club with the event. The show drew nearly 100 stunning vehicles and over 1,000 attendees, creating a vibrant atmosphere in downtown Rockwall. The event raised money via car show sponsorships and entry fees.
North Texas Pioneers had their annual pancake breakfast to benefit the Patriot Paws Organization. This is a tremendous organization which furnishes dogs for veterans who need support.
It is always a great pleasure for Prestonwood to honor the Dallas Police Department at our Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Officers from DPD filled the room for lunch at the delicious and bountiful buffet at Prestonwood Country Club.
On November 7th, The Rotary Club of Dallas hosted the 20th Annual Salute to America’s Veterans, honoring the veterans, whose contributions across the generations have maintained our freedom and liberty. This event raises funds for the DFW USO and the George W Bush Institute Veterans and Military Families; two organizations that are transforming the lives of our active military, our veterans and their families.
DeSoto Texas Rotary has embarked on a Random Act of Kindness service project this year under the direction of our President Velma Davison and Special Events Coordinator Rosa E. Hernandez.
The DeSoto Texas Rotary wanted to recognize a group of individuals whose dedication and commitment often go unnoticed, but whose impact on our community is immeasurable—the very dedicated DeSoto ISD bus drivers and monitors. Every day, they rise early, prepare for their routes, and ensure that our most valuable assets—our children—arrive at school safely and return home at the end of the day.
A fun time was had by Rotarians who helped the Friends of the Audelia Road Library raise over a $1000 by selling books this fall. Our job was to arrange the books for easy sale, we did our job with laughter and bantering the day Friday before the Saturday sale.
Organized by RCPC member Holly Hollenbeck, the third annual Foot Care Clinic for the Homeless took place on Saturday, September 30, at Austin Street Center. RCPC volunteers helped direct the clients, hand out the new shoes, socks and foot care packets and preparing the foot care tubs. Volunteer nursing students washed and cared for the feet of the homeless.
On October 24, 2024, DeSoto Texas Rotary Club lead by our President Velma Davison, in partnership with Shelonda Weaver the President of the Desoto High School PTSA, hosted an inspiring 1K Walk & Run at Les Zeiger Park. This event, dedicated to raising awareness for breast cancer and polio, saw enthusiastic participation from community members of all ages.
On October 24, World Polio Day, Plano Metro Rotary Club held a "Palomas for Polio" event at Mexican Sugar Cocina in Plano. Attendees had a great time and raised over $700 for PolioPlus. Many thanks to those who contributed and attended, and especially our planning committee, which included Greg McKinney, Peyton Lynn and June Jenkins
The City of University Park and Rotary Club of Park Cities Tree Lighting will be in Centennial Park this year due to construction in Snider Plaza. It is always a fun afternoon for children of all ages!
In the spring of 2024, Coppell Rotary, CHS Interact, and volunteers from all over DFW came together to make a difference! Packing a whopping 10,000 meals for children and families facing food insecurity, their efforts are now reaching ZAMBIA!
Members of the Rotary Club of Park Cities returned to the North Texas Food Bank for their Fall Volunteer Packing Day. It has been a tradition for many years to have a Fall and a Spring Volunteer Day, as well as adding their support for the NTFB through proceeds from the Fourth of July Parade and the December Tree Lighting.
North Texas Pioneers had their annual Halloween party which was to benefited the Veterans. It was an opportunity for the members and friends to have a fun evening at Love and War in Texas and also raise money for the veterans.
RCPC member and dentist, Dr. Michael Rainwater reported that Dentistry with a Heart" celebrated it's 12th year on October 5th, 2024, providing $ 35,690.00 of dentistry to improve the lives of our patients and provide an opportunity for all volunteers to make a difference. The team treating 26 patients from the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center and Agape Clinic, for basic dental services of extractions, fillings and cleanings.
We have been busy this fall. We also were present in the midst of a very diverse group of members of St. Patrick Catholic Church. The Refugee Program Hosts serve breakfast to members from Myanmar, Benin, Nigeria and other African countries even as they provide life skills services to newcomers to our Parish.
On November 5, the Rotary Club of Duncanville had a wonderful celebration for Ken Weaver as RI Honorary Rotarian. Ken is the first Rotarian to receive this honor in the Duncanville Rotary Club.
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