Elkhart Rotary Club June 17, 2024 - Non Profit Grant Distributions

 
On Monday we welcomed our community Not-for-Profit Grant Recipients. Each organization was invited to bring up to two representatives to join us for lunch. As our program, each presented a brief overview of their awarded project and handed a check. This year, our Donations Committee granted $14,500 to 17 local not for profits. The decision-making was challenging as 28 organizations had applied this year, seeking over $28,000 in funding. Rotarians raise 100% of these funds through donations from club members at weekly meetings through fun 'fines' assessed by the weekly 'Sergeant-at-Arms' volunteer. The Elkhart Rotary Club is proud to support the wonderful missions and efforts of local not-for-profit organizations who serve our community and region. 
 
This is a list of this year's recipients and the programs our grants help to fund:
  1. ADEC - Summer Camp for Children with IDD
  2. Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County - Social-Emotional Learning Initiative Program
  3. Cancer Resources for Elkhart County - Journey Through Treatment program
  4. Church Community Services - Micro Farm/Garden-Fence and Signs Project
  5. Council on Aging of Elkhart County - COA Care Fund
  6. Crossroads United Way - Books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
  7. Front Porch Foundation - Minds at Play program
  8. Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County - Purchase of Safety Harnesses
  9. Hearing the Call - Michiana - Funding supports reduced cost hearing devices and fitting for hearing impaired
  10. Heart City Health - HealthFest
  11. HUB (Hearts United for Bristol) - Summer Feeding Program
  12. Humane Society of Elkhart County - Pet Microchip Scanners
  13. Lexington House of Elkhart Clubhouse - Support for offsite Socials and Holiday Programming for members
  14. LoveWay, Inc. - Underwrite costs for students to participate in the Adaptive Riding Program
  15. Ryan's Place - Investment in musical instruments for therapy
  16. Tolson Center for Community Excellence - Music Together Babies
  17. Wellfield Botanic Gardens - Purchase of gardening tools and safety equipment for SPARK Program at Wellfield Botanic Gardens
RED RIBBON ROOKIES - - Call for Volunteers!
The Red Ribbon Rookies need our help this Saturday June 22 at 8 am at RETA, 116 W. Jackson in Elkhart. You'd be helping them move current store items and casework to prep for the indoor playground equipment installation for RETA's project. Contact Dustin Miller by email if you'd like to help and he can provide more info. Thanks!
 
Congratulations to those receiving recognition for their Paul Harris Fellow milestones.
Rotary Foundation Chair Howard Edwards and President Julie Cotton made presentations to:
(L-R) Tom Pletcher, President Julie Cotton, Sherm Hansen, Tony Warning, Bob Shultz, Don Rodda, Jeff Wells, and Dean Leazenby. 
To make a contribution to the Rotary Foundation visit: https://my.rotary.org/en/donate You can make a one-time donation online or create recurring donations. Paul Harris Fellow awards are recognized at $1000 increment of donation. The Rotary Foundation is recognized as one of the most effective and well-managed charitable organizations in the world, with 12 consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator and an A-plus rating from CharityWatch.
 

Running List of Rotary Event Announcements: Rotarians are an integral and engaged part of our active community! Here’s a list of upcoming events represented by Rotarians from the Elkhart Rotary Club. If you’d like more information, contact the Rotarian listed for the event or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com and your message will be forwarded to them. Are you a Rotarian with an event to share? Put it in the format below and email to Eric Garton, he’ll add it to the list.

 

  • Thursdays, June 13, 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25; August 1, 8, 15; Groovin’ in the Gardens – Summer Concert Series at Wellfield. The concert lineup features a variety of musical styles by popular artists including Dave Bennett, local favorites High Life and Memphis Underground and special guests, the Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction! See details and purchase tickets at https://wellfieldgardens.org/groovin-in-the-gardens-2024/. Gates open at 6 p.m., concerts begin at 7; get your space on the lawn, on the Event Plaza, or anywhere you’d enjoy listening! Contact: Eric Garton

  • Thursday, June 20 at 5 p.m. Thirsty Thursday - come enjoy a drink and fellowship with fellow Rotarians and guests. Come on, come all, drop in 5-6 p.m. Location: Artisan. Contact: Peter Norton

  • Friday, August 16, The Great Cardboard Boat Race. Registration Opens May 1! Volunteers needed for August 15 Set Up & August 16 Race Day Volunteers Needed: https://volunteer.crossroadsuw.org/opportunities/yRy7zguZ16. Contact: Natalie Evans