RC Florence makes donation in excess of $5,000 to Shoes for Orphan Souls

During a break at the Rotary Leadership Academy, members of the Florence Rotary Club present District Governor Jack McAllister with a check for $5460. This represents money raised by the Florence Club for the Shoes for Orphan Souls project. The funds will purchase 1800 pairs of shoes. The Florence Club will continue to collect shoes to meet their goal of 3000 pairs. Pictured from left to right: Gary Wilmhoff, Jack McAllister, Barbara Rahn, and Mack Slocum.

Florence Elementary School Farming and Food Processing Program

 

By Charlie Walton, Principal of Florence Elementary School

The planting and gardening has begun at Florence Elementary School.  Florence Elementary School has expanded its farming and food processing program to include other schools and many Florence businesses.  The Florence Rotary is a big part of the collaboration component for the program.

The planting, staking and caring for the crops have taken place and the harvesting has begun.  John Salyers-Florence Rotary, Gary Wilmhoff-Florence Hardware (Florence Rotary), Mike Walker-Sam’s Club Manager, Charlie Massey- Retired Principal, Mike Crane-KY Farm Bureau (Florence Rotary) and Beth Long-Potter’s Ranch (Florence Rotary) are several of the businessmen and women that are helping with the entire program.  Our Agricultural Agent with the UK Extension Office has been very helpful annually with the student program.

Throughout the summer months the staff, students and business partners have continued the weeding, staking and harvesting of the crops.  The tomatoes and peppers are harvested and made into salsa to be sold at the new Friendly Market off Mt. Zion Road.

The Florence Rotary has been a huge help throughout the summer months for the program.

 

Rotarian Gary Wilmhoff drives a stake into the garden to support the newly planted crops.



DGE John Sayers helping in the Florence Elementary tomato and pepper patch.  The
tomatoes and peppers are used to make Florence Elementary salsa and sold. 

The school has made up to $25,000.00 on this project.  This helps provide extra money for the school. 

 

Q&A: Santos discusses role as Rotary president

From the Florence Recorder, written by Melissa Stewart, and also found on Cincinnati.com

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130627/NEWS0103/306270027/Q-Santos-discusses-role-Rotary-president

FLORENCE — Billy Santos, 33, of Park Hills has many titles. At The Bank of Kentucky he’s vice president and regional manager. At home, he’s dad, and most recently at the Florence Rotary Club he’s president.
It may sound like a lot to juggle, but the Boone County businessman wouldn’t have it another way. Santos recently sat down with the Florence Recorder to talk about his new role within the club and what he enjoys most about the organization.
Q: How did you get involved in Rotary?
A: I was initially invited to the Campbell County Club by the superintendent of the schools in 2006. I was managing a (Bank of Kentucky) office in Fort Thomas at the time. I joined the Florence club when I transferred to one of the bank’s branches located in Florence; I was invited to join by longtime Florence Rotarian Willard Rusk.
Q: What about Rotary piqued your interest?
A: For me it was the combination of the altruistic goals of the organization in helping the community while having the opportunity to get to know great people who are leaders in our community.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the Florence Rotary Club?
A: Our club has over 100 members. We are a very active club and I can see that through the results of our efforts. There’s also a good sense of fellowship in the club.
Another thing that is really unique about Rotary International is that it’s one of the few organizations where you can be in Florence, but have projects that impact places like Kenya. Rotary has a broad reach.
Q: How does it feel to be named president?
A: It’s humbling to think they would entrust me with a club with such a rich history as ours has. Previously, I served as treasurer several years and I’ve gotten to understand the nuts and bolts of the operations of the club, I’m looking forward to the new responsibilities and the challenge of serving as the club’s president.
Q: What are your goals for the organization?
A: The theme for Rotary International in the coming year is “Engage Rotary, Change Lives.” My goals mirror this theme in that I want to engage our community and our members to be even more involved with our projects in this coming year. When we give of our time, talent and treasure, we as the giver gain as much if not more satisfaction as the recipient. By getting involved, we can change others’ lives as well as our own. Another primary goal I have is to get more young professionals involved in Rotary.

RC Florence Christmas Concert

The concert was held Dec. 3, 2012 at Lakeside Christian Church. Approximately 700 were in attendance. This was our 44th concert since 1991 of which the Florence Rotary Club joined with us Christmas 2006. We average two concerts per year.

This Christmas concert gave all proceeds to The American Cancer Society and the offering total $6,543.00 plus $200 which came in after the concert and the total became $6,743.00.

Our next concert will be held at the Florence Baptist Church in Florence, KY on May 13th, 2013. All proceeds from this future concert will go to the Rotary Club and at this time all or most will be sent to Polio Plus.

 

We were very happy to see our District Governor Kathryn Hardman attend and speak at the concert.

 

DG visits and club events

RC Whitesburg's President Joe DePriest welcomes DG Kathryn on August 14

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President Howard Roberts of RC Pikeville, DG Kathryn, and AG Seema Sachdeeva at the official visit on August 15.

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President David Hellmich of the RC Lexington Sunrise gave DG Kathryn Hardman the honor of assisting in the induction of four new members during the official visit on August 28. New members Michael Quillen, Kirsten Kegley, DG Gridley and Seth Lawless were joined by their sponsoring members Keith Key, Donna Sloan and Dale Torok. The membership drive was assisted by a successful after-hours social event hosted by the club earlier in the month.

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President Chris Jobes accepts an award on behalf of

RC Louisa for membership development.

 

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At the Heart of America Zone Institute in Huntsville, Al October 4-7, 2012 District Governor Kathryn Hardman and John enjoyed an evening with Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka.

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DG Kathryn, Youth Exchange host parent Harry Chestnut and Youth Exchange student Guilherme Messon Messari (Brazil) were invited to ring the World Peace Bell following the multi-club meeting of Florence, Kenton, Covington and Campbell in Covington on September 18.

 

 

RC Florence Foundation Dinner

On March 29, 2012, the Rotary Clubs located in Northern Kentucky attended a dinner hosted by RC Florence at Turfway Park. Northern Kentucky Rotarians recognized over twelve Paul Harris Fellow foundation gifts of at least $1,000. In addition, four members were inducted into the Paul Harris Society for pledging an annual gift of at least $1,000 to the Annual Programs Fund of the Rotary Foundation.

District Governor John Adams attended the celebration and spoke to the attendees about the Foundation, the status of the District's foundation work, and the expected impact of the Future Vision Plan. Governor Adams congratulated the new inductees and thanked them for their support of the Foundation.

DG John Adams with members of the Paul Harris Society from Northern Kentucky Rotary Clubs

DG John Adams with Florence Rotary Club Member Greg Palmer presenting a Paul Harris Fellow to Lauren Palmer

RC Florence Holiday Service Projects

The Florence Rotary Club conducted two signifcant holiday events – one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas.

FOOD for FAMILIES – A community service team led by Jack Lundy organized a Thanksgiving food drive. The group gave each team in the club a grocery sack and a list of items with which to fill it – turkey, ham, canned goods, dairy products, etc. The teams far exceeded the request. Several members of the club filled an entire sack by themselves. The club donated the food to the Rose Garden Mission food pantry in Florence. The Rose Garden Mission, operated by the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, relies totally on donations for support. Jack Lundy reported that this year's food drive was the most successful to date.

FLORENCE ROTARY CHRISTMAS CONCERT FUND-RAISER – The Florence Rotary Club puts on a Christmas concert each year to raise money for a local charity. The entire cast of singers and musicians came from the Northern Kentucky area. Several were professional performers who donated their time. This year's concert was a rousing success. Several of the performers brought the crowd to their feet. One of the concert-goers remarked afterwards that "this wasn't just a concert … it was a worship experience." The Florence Rotary Club raised $5,000 for Santa's Workshop at a local church. Santa's Workshop brings needy families to the church at Christmas for meals, clothing and gifts for the children.

Fun, Fellowship and Fundraising in Northern Kentucky!

On June 24th, the Rotary Clubs of Campbell County, Cincinnati, Covington, Florence and Kenton County partnered to raise funds to support ShelterBox. Rotarians enjoyed fellowship, food and drink in the fabulous Steely Library on the campus of Northern Kentucky University. Stan Wall made an informative presentation regarding ShelterBox's mission and worldwide efforts. A fun time was had by all! The event is expected to be held again next year, so watch the calendar for more details!

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth, and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide.

http://www.shelterbox.org/