Today was a proud day for the Rotary Club of Norfolk when the recipients of the 2022 Norfolk Rotary Charities Grant Recipients joined our meeting to accept their awards. Rotarians are committed to serving and raising money for those in need, locally and internationally.
Our club supports the great work of non-profit organizations in our community through an annual granting process. Today was the day to meet the 2022 recipient organizations, recognize their contribution, and formally provide the grant disbursement.
Vice President in Charge of Programs, Jeff Wells, introduced Rotarian of the Day and Club Past President 1984-85 Bob Heely. In addition to Bob’s steady service volunteerism, he brings songs and music to our club.
Bob introduced Joey Rothgery and Barb Lipskis as the day’s program leaders. Joey is a Virginia Tech Hokie fan, a past director of the local Red Cross, a Primeplus Executive Board Member, and a Master Gardener.
Barb Lipskis came from Chicago, a pediatric Cardiac Nurse and supporter of local organizations like the Virginia Stage Company. Barb provided an overview of the Norfolk Rotary Charities Grants, their history, average award, and this year’s applicants.
Out of 40 worthy applicants, 11 were chosen and invited to the day’s meeting. Barb thanked the committee members for their commitment and diligence in the selection of successful applicants.
Joey Rothgery introduced and awarded grants for arts, education, or athletics to the first six successful applicants:
- Norfolk SPCA will benefit from needed veterinary equipment. Rachel Keene & Carol Olson accepted the grant.
- Virginia Stage Company will use the award for its’ “Dramatically Able Workshop” for visually impaired and blind youth. April Le & Tom Quaintance gratefully accepted the award.
- Berkley Timberwolves Youth Athletics will see new basketball, cheerleading, and football equipment as well as support for their Soul Bowlers program for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Glen Yearling was on hand to accept the grant check.
- St. Mary’s Home will see enhanced mobility of their children when three new motorized wheelchairs arrive. Kathleen Kaurup accepted the grant to enable this purchase.
- Community Outreach Coalition will be able to enhance its bi-weekly training program. Kendra Robinson & Charlie James accepted the award.
- Neighborhood will benefit from leader training that leads to career and community development and ultimately reduce neighborhood poverty. CEO Josh Jones was on hand to accept the award.
Barb Lipskis introduced and awarded grants to Health and Human Services to the final five successful applicants:
- Ability Center of Virginia will be able to make a greater difference for members through certifications and educational material for “Laughter Yoga” and the use of a “Magical Glove” for fine motor skill development. Michelle Prendergast & Travis Pruitt attended to receive the grant.
- Feast will enhance its food education programs with chrome books, table coverings, popup banners, phone tripods, cooking kits, seasoning kits, and program materials. Bev Sell received the grant.
- FACT, Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater, will use the grant to improve the programs they offer for autistic clients. Tyler Williamson accepted the check from President Michael Desplaines.
- Virginia Supportive Housing will purchase two full furniture sets for previously homeless clients living in Norfolk. Nancy Perry gratefully accepted the grant.
- Survivor Ventures will provide support for 30 trafficking survivors and their children in Hampton Roads with the grant funds. Norfolk Rotary Charities Grants criteria allow recipients to use the funds for operating costs not allowed by other grants. Tiffany McGee accepted the award.
Rotary President Michael Desplaines reminded Rotarians of the meaningful and wide range of well enabled by our fundraising and the subsequent grants. The service done, the funds raised, and the grants awarded make an incredible difference in and touched so many lives in our community. “We serve to change lives”.
Club Business
President Michael Desplaines opened the first meeting in our Club’s new home, the Norfolk Yacht Club. The views of the Lafayette River from the room and the excellent meal seemed to set the tone for the joy of giving to local non-profit organizations.
Sigur Whitaker led the assembled members and guests in singing the “Four-way Test” and “America the Beautiful”. Joe New delivered a timely and reflective invocation recognizing peacemakers. In a visitation report, Brian McGuire informed members of the sudden surgery and detection of cancer for our new member Rev. Jonathan Stanley. Brian reminded us to keep these members in our thoughts and prayers.
The day’s special guests included the representatives from the non-profit organizations receiving grants in today’s program. Al Carmichael introduced the recipients. We had two Rotarians from other clubs: Joe Hensley from Churchland Rotary Club and Wayne Debanter from the Portsmouth Rotary Club. Jay Sarcone was the guest of Chris Bugg. Jeff Ryder from the VA Stage Company was in attendance with an interest in becoming a member.
School of the Week was Sherwood Forest Elementary
President Michael continued the tradition of celebrating Rotarian birthdays and anniversaries during the first meeting of the month. Sigur led us in the birthday song and cupcakes were plentiful to celebrate the special days in April.
April Birthdays George Compo April 02 Michelle Nettles April 06 Ray Moses April 09 Winston Whitehurst April 13 Bernie Cohen April 17 Mark Shaw April 17 Joe New April 18 Kelly Stefanko April 25 Susan Donn April 26 Brian McGuire April 27 Chris Bugg April 30 | April Anniversaries Kay & Ron Stine, 44 years Apr 15, 1978 Walt Sobczyk & Donna Henderson, 27 years Apr 21, 1995 Rob & Leigh Sult, 21 years Apr 28, 2001 | April Rotary Anniversaries 27 years, Jerome Adamson April 01,1995 39 years, Skip Burton April 01,1983 25 years, Jack Kavanaugh April 01,1997 31 years, Shep Miller April 01,1991 36 years, Alan Nelson April 01,1986 33 years, John Padgett April 01,1989 8 years, Laurie Harrison April 08,2014 3 years, Berhanu Mengitsu April 09,2019 2 years, Chris Bugg April 14,2020 2 years, Brian McGuire April 16,2020 2 years, Stephen Kirkland April 21,2020 7 years, Walt Sobczyk April 21,2015 13 years, Lorna Cochrane April 28,2009 7 years, Michelle Nettles April 28,2015 |
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Reminder: The Spring Social is on April 14th, 5-8 PM at the Norfolk Yacht Club. Please RSVP by April 7th to Karen if you are coming. We are charged per person, so please only RSVP if you are sure that you can attend or unexpectedly must cancel.
Reminder: Suds & Buds 2022 is on May 19th. Tickets are available online or as a hard version at the meeting front desk if you would like to sell some.
Reminder: Please bring a bottle of wine valued at $20 or more for the Wine Pull at the Suds & Buds Fundraiser.
Happy Bucks:
- Sally Hartman contributed Happy Bucks for her trip to Guatemala and her eight days at “Joyce Maynard’s Write by the Lake workshop”.
- Gus Stuhlreyer contributed bucks for his son-in-law’s nephew (who is only a junior in high school) who recently received his 43rd offer for a 4-year ride to play college football. The 43rd offer came from Nick Saban at Alabama. The nephew has not given any indication as to which way he is leaning.
- Judge Joe Massey informed us that there were no Rotarians at the Scope today and contributed some bucks!
- Bob Batcher celebrated the 40th birthday of his talented and modeling daughter. Primeplus has made the initial purchase of furniture for the Rotary Living room in the Primeplus Adult Day Service in Norfolk.
- Both Chris Bugg and Jim Kitz coughed up funds for “no Rotary Pin”. Jim added a few more for an Army Baseball win.
- Jim Sell contributed some “happy bucks”.
- Sigur and Michael reminded Rotarians that it was “Giving Tuesday”, your opportunity to both give and gain double points.
- Diane Wallach has a trip to Rome and Venice booked. She also informed us that 4 tickets to Tiel are purchased.
- Susan Donn contributed to mark the occasion that her house went up for sale.