As of the end of September I visited 58 clubs.  Most have come out of the COVID malaise, are gaining members and are trying new things; like doing hands-on community projects and having social events as an alternative to only club meetings.  These projects are great because these Rotarians are doing what they joined to do, make a difference.  I believe these projects inspire and energize our members. 

Rotary District 5810 was awared 3 Membership awards and a Public Image Citation at Zone this past week in Minnesota - highest growth rate in Zone 25B, highest number of new Rotary clubs chartered and highest number of new Rotaract clubs chartered. Congratulations to PDG Max Duplant for her leadership!

In August and September the Newman Smith Interact Club, Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club and the Plano Community Rotaract Club have collected and packed 260 boxes weighing 5,504.5 pounds with 14,202 books and lots of school supplies.

Every year, Rotarians and Rotaractors across the globe mobilize for WORLD POLIO DAY to raise awareness about eradicating polio for good. If we stay committed, polio will be the second human disease ever to be eradicated. 

In demonstrating how PIES FOR POLIO might work as a fundraiser and raise awareness of Rotary's key involvement in the eradication of Polio, Roundtable attendees put up $141 to see DG Howard to take a pie for polio. 

It was a perfect day to raise money and awareness for the Rockwall Rotary Club’s important causes. The club recently held their annual Clay Shoot fundraiser, and raised more than $30,000 to give back to the community as well as to Rotary International causes. 

The McKinney Rotary Club had a wonderful time painting the Teen Center at Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County with the McKinney Sunrise Rotary Club, Collin County Rotary, McKinney Lions Club, McKinney Kiwanis Club, and Key Club of McKinney High School. It was amazing to see all of these service clubs come together to serve this important organization in our community! There were 40+ volunteers totaling close to 200 volunteer hours. Great day of fellowship working together to serve others above self!

Please join the Suicide Prevention and Brain Health Rotary eClub in raising funds to End Polio by dining in or ordering take out at Cremona’s (www.cremonabistro.org) at 2704 Worthington Street, Dallas, TX 75204 (Phone 214-871-1115) any time during the month of October.

Visit the PLANO FLAGS OF HONOR at Oak Point Park for a week-long, full of events on Nov. 5- 12 honoring our Veterans and First Responders. Each flag on display has a dedication card that tells the story of a hero whose life is or was devoted in service to their fellow man. You are invited to share the story and photo of your heroes.

 

Coppell Rotarians met at Landon Winery at The Sound to make plans for our October event, Pinot for Polio. Landon is donating 10% of the evening's proceeds to Rotary International Polio Plus.

On Saturday, October 8, the Grand Prairie Metro Rotary Club will host its 36th Annual Pumpkin Run at Joe Pool Lake.

Under the leadership of Evan Altemus, head of the Rotary Club of Park Cities’ Veteran Support Team, members volunteered at the Travis Manion Foundations’ Run on Saturday, Sept. 17, to support the 8/11 Heroes Run.

At our September 20 meeting, after Lisa Rigby, Executive Director of Woven Health Clinic made her presentation, the Addison Midday Rotary Club made a $1,000 donation to WOVEN Health Clinic.

The donation will be used to provide 50 flu shots to those who can not afford the cost of the shot.

Over 85% of the patients at WOVEN Health Clinic are uninsured and 100% of the patients are below 250% of the poverty level.

McKinney Rotary's Interact Club members learn the importance of our club's flag program to raise funds for community and international non-profits and flying our American Flag proudly for those that lost their lives during 9/11! They placed and retrieved 83 flags in downtown McKinney. During this project, they learned the meaning of furling and unfurling a flag, proper handling of the flag and how to store them! Great job Interact Club members!

Rotary Club of Plano East is holding their Annual Rotary Veterans Luncheon Event on Friday, November 11th, Veteran's Day at the Plano Flags of Honor at noon at the Oak Point Park. There is no cost to attend this event, however you must register by Nov. 7th to receive a meal. To register: https://bit.ly/RotaryVETS.

 

Our club traditionally uses the 5th Monday of the month to host an evening social for members and spouses rather than our normal meeting. We continued this tradition August 29th with an ice cream social.

On September 13, Principal Crowling from George H. W. Bush Elementary School spoke to the Addison Midday Rotary Club. At that meeting she was presented with Dry Erase Markers purchased by the Addison Midday Rotary Foundation.

After two years of not being able to hold a golf tournament due to Covid, Royse city rotary foundation, inc. is bringing back its annual golf tournament and renaming it the mike gilbert rotary classic after one of their own. mike gilbert is a strong believer, happily married to his wife Jackie of 55 years and counting, father of 4, grandfather of 5, and an avid golf player who worked for many years as a registered architect in the city of Dallas and the city of Plano.

The Suicide Prevention and Brain Health Rotary eClub staffed resource tables and provided information and educational opportunities to approximately 500 attendees at three community events during the month of October. These included the St Luke Community UMC Celebration Event for Families in Dallas, the Oak Street Clinic Community Health Fair in Mesquite and the NAMI North Texas FaithNet Pathways to Hope Conference in Dallas.