Author: Indy Rotary

  • Ambassadorial Scholar, Rose Jackson in at Nakuru National Park, Africa

    Ambassadorial Scholar, Rose Jackson in at Nakuru National Park, Africa

    Greetings from Nairobi Rotarians. I have now been in Kenya for 2 months and am beginning to know my way around. We are passing into rainy season which means warmer weather, some pretty intense downpours, and beautiful purple Jacaranda trees and pink Bougainvillea bushes throughout the city. I am steeped in the fun of midterm exam time and getting to know the local Rotary scene. I have been amazed by just how active the clubs are out here and can’t wait to get more involved in some of their projects. I am planning on visiting a clean water project out west, an irrigation project up north, and a Rotary sponsored school for the blind out east in the coming months. Until that time, studying hard, setting up my life, and being thankful everyday for your support. Say hello to Indiana for me and enjoy my favorite midwest fall season!

    Best, Rose Jackson

  • Gleaners Volunteer Day

    “THIS IS HARD WORK,” said one Rotarian, “but SO much fun!”

    Enthusiastic and willing volunteers came out to support Gleaners Food Bank and thousands of hungry Indianapolis residents on Saturday morning, by working in the new The Rotary Club of Indianapolis Food Distribution Center. They helped in the food pantry, stuffed boxes with food, worked in the coolers and generally assisted where ever needed. With the exception of a small break it was non-stop, fast-paced, physical work for three hours!

    Rotary is committed to helping the hungry! There is a serious hunger crisis in Indiana. According to the most recent census estimates, there are 242,435 people living in poverty in Gleaners’ 21-county central Indiana service area, an increase of 57% since 2000.

    Rotary and Gleaners Food Bank will be working very closely together over the next several years to raise $1.5 million for Gleaners. Stay tuned for more opportunities to help.

  • Riley Foundation Luncheon Brings Tears to Tony Dungy

    BY: Marie Koenig, Community Service Committee
    On November 17, eight Rotarians from the Community Service committee attended the annual Riley Foundation luncheon (Hope Happens Here) at the downtown Marriott. The luncheon was heart-warming (and delicious!). Anne Ryder did a great job as MC; Tony Dungy understandably was teary-eyed speaking about their own child with medical problems. “I really like the way Riley has the patients involved with videos, giving people a tour of the Simon Tower video, and actually speaking at the luncheon about their Riley experience,” said Marie. “Especially effective was how so many of the patients have interacted with other patients and implemented their own fundraisers for Riley.”

    Check out the Hope Happens Here music video on our video page from the band Telluride at the Hope Happens Here riley event from 2009.

  • Indianapolis Animal Care and Control Tree Planting

    Indianapolis Animal Care and Control Tree Planting

    Thanks to Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB) and volunteers from downtown Rotary Club, AIT, and FIDO (Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside), the grounds at Indianapolis Animal Care and Control (IACC), 2600 S. Harding St., are much prettier! Marie Koenig, from Rotary and FIDO’s treasurer, was recently awarded a Neighborwoods grant from KIB for 34 native trees to be planted on several acres at IACC.

    This tree-planting event took place on Saturday, Sept. 18 but was no easy task – not only is Indianapolis suffering from a drought, but IACC’s property was formerly a landfill and the holes needed to be dug with a pick axe. Volunteers received careful instructions from KIB’s Andrew Hart and how to plant a tree and mulch around it. Species included eastern redbud, American plum, American elm, bur oak, red oak, cedar, paw paw, sweetgum, and blackgum. Volunteers will be responsible for watering – each tree must receive 15 gallons of water each week from May through November for 2 years.

  • Tree Planting and Mulching with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful

    Please join Keep Indpls. Beautiful (KIB) on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Indpls. Animal Care and Control, 2600 S. Harding St. from 9 AM – 2 PM to help plant 30 trees on ACC’s property. It is customary for KIB to dig the holes, deliver the trees and provide instructions and tools for volunteers. Refreshments will be served. This is a Neighborwoods grant that was approved this summer. If you’d like to volunteer, please RSVP to Marie Koenig, (E & B and Community Service committees), at by Sept. 10. Thank you!

  • Rotary Golf Concludes the 2010 Season with No Rain Again

    At the final outing for the year at Broadmoor Country Club twenty-one golfers participated on a beautiful day. Major prize winners were Robin Houze: Low Gross; Ralph Taylor, High Gross; Dave Foutty, Low Net 1st; Mike Crowley, Low Net 2nd; David Yeley, Low Net 3rd; and Ken Konesco, Low Net 4th. Other hole winners were Don LeClare, David Yeley, Dick Amick, Fred Brames, Evan Goodman, Mike Crowley, Dave Leonards, Robin Houze, Dan Lee, Ron Baker, Norm Houze, and Steve Ivy.

    League winners were also announced. “Golfer of the Year” was Todd Lugar with a net average of 39.625 stokes; 2nd was Dave Leonards at 39.873; 3rd, Steve Ivy; 4th John Schneider; 5th, Jim Bethel; 6th, Don LeClare; 7th. Evan Goodman; 8th, Dick Amick; 9th, Dan Shelley; and 10th Mike Crowley. There were twenty-one golfers who participated in League play at River Glen this year.

    Wrapping up, there were thirty-two golfers at the Brickyard Crossing outing in June plus amazingly for the third year in a row we were not rained out at Rotary Golf. It was a good Season. If you play golf and didn’t join us, be sure to next year!

  • Indy Animal Care & Control Gets Facelift From Rotary

    The property at Indianapolis Animal Care and Control is much prettier now! This high-traffic area suffered from neglect due to maintenance cutbacks and it is an “emotional” place – some people are despondent about surrendering their pet or their inability to find their lost companion.

    With funding from Rotary’s Environment and Beautification Comm., Master Gardener Assn., Keep Indpls. Beautiful, and Friends of IACC, Marie Koenig and MG Assn. and F.I.D.O. volunteers planted and mulched areas for 52 shrubs and two trees. In alignment with the “animal” theme, these include two DOGwoods, 3 red twig DOGwood shrubs, 3 CATmint plants, and 9 NineBARK shrubs! Additionally, 6 large resin planters grace the entrance with purple fountain grass surrounded by purple and red wave petunias, ageratum, lobelia, coleus, and yellow super bells, all of which complement the main building’s purple flashing.

    Koenig’s KIB Neighborwoods grant was approved for 30 trees to be planted along the driveway at IACC this Sept. 18!

  • Calnali (Mexico) Microfinance Project Launches Website

    Author: Sara Anne Hook

    The Calnali Microfinance Project provides small loans and other support—training, education on basic financial management—to citizens in Calnali, State of Hidalgo, Mexico so that they can become self-sufficient, provide for their families, offer needed products in their communities and share their traditional crafts throughout Mexico and the world.

    The intent of a microfinance project is that the people who receive loans pay the loans back with interest, thus maintaining and even growing the pool of funds for the next set of potential entrepreneurs. The project also includes training for the participants, not only on their particular craft/endeavor, but also basic money management and business management. There are three main targets of the loans at this time: sewing school uniforms, traditional embroidery and beading, and pottery.

  • Rotarian, Bill Bubenzer (Smither Roofing) adds roofing to new JW Marriott Indianapolis

    Smither Roofing was contracted by JW Marriott Indianapolis to install the Firestone membrane roofing on 137,700 square feet of roof area, on 23 different roof levels, some 34 stories in the air.

    Smither Roofing received a “Safety Excellence Award” from construction manager Hunt Construction Group on the project, a tribute to the safety consciousness of Smither employees.

    Smither work began in May, 2009. During this time, approximately 13,500 manhours have been expended to complete the project.

  • Rick Alvis recognized for twenty years of service to the Wheeler Mission Ministries

    Rotarian and Rotary Board Director, Rick Alvis was recently recognized by the City-Council of Indianapolis for twenty years of service to the Wheeler Mission Ministries and the City of Indianapolis.

    Wheeler Mission Ministries is a non-denominational, Christian, social services organization, which provides critically needed goods and services to homeless, poor, and needy of central Indiana without regard to race, color, creed, national origin or religion.

    Wheeler is not a church, but does cooperate with many different churches that are concerned about poverty and homelessness in the inner city.

    Founded in 1893, Wheeler is the oldest continuously operating ministry of its kind in the state of Indiana.

    With five locations, dozens of ministries, a budget of $6.2 million, and about 130 employees, Wheeler is also the largest and most diverse ministry of its kind in the state.