Category: Community Service

On December 2nd, Rotarian’s spent an evening at the Rotary Christmas Party for Riley Kids! Said Brenda Jackson, “Everyone was just awesome. What a joy to know we were able to give a little bit of Christmas and Holiday cheer to the children and their families. Kudos to Riley for being such a fabulous place to be when not such fabulous things are happening in a family’s life.”

Sheila Carlson took many pictures of the evening, which you can see here. There were many memories. Seeing Rotarian Danny O’Malia deligently placing glue onto paper so a child could create a Christmas masterpiece, all the while his lovely Santa tie dipping in glitter gave no bother to him. And, then there was the cheer in the air as each and every volunteer laughed, high-fiveed and worked so hard with the children to make sure their ornament was the best of the entire evening. It gave meaning to Christmas and Service Above Self.

BY: Mike Howard, E&B Committee
Do you recall the first time you ever used a shovel? Neither do I. It is a rather simple device – no moving parts, no buttons to push, no screen to view, no automated voice issuing monotone commands. You probably just picked up the shovel and – well, shoveled.

Thirty some IPS students joined Rotarians, Concord Neighborhood residents and members from that other club with the initial “K” on Saturday, November 20, to plant 31 service berry, oak and maple trees along a two block stretch of Meridian just south of I-70. The trees were donated by Indianapolis Power and Light and are a part of their continuing program to “re-green” urban Indianapolis.

Some of the students said they had never used a shovel before and were willing to learn where to place their hands and how to use leverage to get the job done. Smiles crept over their faces as they saw the work they accomplished. Most had never planted trees so they learned the type of trees, the care of the trees and how trees benefit the neighborhood. When they completed the planting, the kids were given bright green Concord T shirts and treated to pizza.

Teaching kids new skills, explaining the benefit of the work they were doing and beautifying the neighborhood are examples of Rotarians “paying it forward.”

“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.

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.

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!

Thank you Rotarians for making the Volunteer Service Project at Gleaners Food Bank on Saturday, March 13 a HUGE success: Lucia Carter, John Murphy, Sheila Carlson, Nate Connor, Ramona Adams, Kirby Durham, Marie Koenig, Dana Curish, Fejiro Kalu, Angela Cecil, Bill Bubenzer, John Roesch, Jerry Clifford, Susie Harmless, Patrick Broccolo, Jennifer Hobbs, Deb Daily, Brenda Jackson, Kitte Allen, Katte Hanner, (Matt Will’s family), Cynthia Hauth, Theresa Walker, Joe Gaafar, Deborah Miller, Guille Harvey, Kathy Cookerly, Jason Breaux, Craig Anderson, Melissa Farmer, Mercy Obieme, Tim Dudley, Steve Young, David Gregg, David Yeley, Pat Garten, Kevin Beausir, Ralph Taylor, Mike Shandley and Debbie Hyde along with family and friends.

It’s that time of year again! The first three Thursdays in December: 3rd, 10th, 17th we will be ringing the bells for the Salvation Army. Same place as last year, Circle Center Mall, parking garage escalator landing near Harry & Izzy’s. Sign ups are starting now! Please call Fred Lesh at 251-2638 or Jennifer Hobbs at 237-5610 to schedule your one hour time slot ( two Rotarians per time slot ) from 11 A. M. – 7 P.M. with a friend or meet a new Rotarian. Remember in the spitir of the Holidays it is about beating the Kiwanians!!

Rotarians volunteered at two Indiana Black Expo events this year:

Economic Development Roundtable: “Survival Skills for Small Businesses in the Current Economy” and Elected and Appointed Officials Reception.

These were the two most prominent events for the BBC and were well attended. The BBC is a great opportunity for our club to reach out and show our support in the community.

HISTORY
IBE has been a pillar of the Indianapolis and Indiana community for 39 years. It has encouraged, uplifted and celebrated the accomplishments and achievements of African-Americans throughout Indiana. IBE has made and continues to make its imprint on this community and throughout the country.

One component of IBE that continues to gain stellar recognition is their Black Business Conference (BBC). This conference was created over 10 years ago and has become a significant enhancement to IBE’s overall imprint in Indiana. The BBC takes place the entire week of July 13th with workshops, roundtable discussions, lecture series’, receptions and a vast array of networking opportunities for MBE’s/WBE’s as well as community organizations and leaders.