Category: Latest News

  • Press Release: Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Announces 2017-18 Community Grant Recipients

    Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Announces
    Community Grant Recipients

    $70,000 in funding distributed to four Indianapolis nonprofits

    Indianapolis, IN (November 20, 2017):   The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation awards annual Community Grants through a competitive application and review process.  The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2017-18 Community Grants.

    • Craine House will receive $25,000 to serve more women in their work release program. Through family therapy, substance abuse counseling and vocational programs, Craine House provides women with a safe and structured, homelike setting to live with their preschool aged children.
    • Paramount School of Excellence will receive $25,000 to build an Eco Discovery Center where students from the school (that serves 764 students, of whom 94% are from families at or below poverty level) will participate in captivating, inquiry based environmental and life science experiences.
    • Ascent 121 will receive $10,000 to provide supplement clinical services that support their mission to provide long-term trauma recovery for Indiana teen survivors of human trafficking. Ascent 121 served over a hundred victims in 2016 and expects a 50% increase in 2017.
    • Morning Light will receive $10,000 to fully develop the Rotary Club of Indianapolis Memorial Garden at the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home, central Indiana’s only free hospice home for residents who have nowhere else to go. The Garden provides a respite for those in their final days and also memorializes residents who have passed with memorial bricks.

    “Our competitive grant process highlights the incredible needs and services provided throughout Central Indiana,” says Indianapolis Rotary Foundation President Bill Bubenzer. “We honor the hard work of all those who submitted applications and are confident that our Community Grant recipients will use their funding to make an important community impact.”

    The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation is a private, stand-alone corporation that serves as the community charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. Each year, the Foundation generously donates almost $200,000 annually to projects and organizations in the Central Indiana Area that promote the Rotarian motto of “Service Above Self.”

    With over 300 members, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis is one of the largest and most active Rotary Clubs in the world.  Founded in 1913, the club has compiled an extensive record as one the leading supporters and contributors to the quality of life in Indianapolis. For further information about the Rotary Club of Indianapolis, visit www.indyrotary.org.

     

  • Help Riley Kids!

    Help Riley Kids!

    November 28th kicks off our annual gift drive for Riley Hospital. Look for the Riley Plea Tree at our regular Tuesday luncheons on November 28th, December 5th and December 12th.

    The Riley Plea Tree is a tabletop holiday tree with “ornamental tags” that are wish list items designated by our Riley Hospital contact person. Rotarians are encouraged to pull a tag, buy that item, and return it to a Rotary meeting. The gifts we provide are much needed and so appreciated by Riley patients and families, and are distributed directly to patient rooms by the Riley Cheer Guild. We hope you include this as part of your giving this holiday season.

  • It’s that time of year – Ring that Bell!

    It’s that time of year – Ring that Bell!

    Every year, The Rotary Club of Indianapolis competes with our friends at the downtown Kiwanis Club to see who can raise the most for The Salvation Army!  Last year, we lost our beloved trophy, but this year, with your help, we can regain our title!

    There are two ways to support the effort:

    1. Sign up for a 1 hour time slot to help ring bells at Circle Centre Mall on November 30th, December 7th & 14th. Email Jennifer Hobbs to sign up- these spots are filled fast!

    2. Make your donation! Checks can be written to The Salvation Army and given to Jamie Stahl at lunch on Tuesdays, or sent to the office at 650 N. Meridian St., Suite 1A, Indianapolis, IN 46204.  This year, we will also have a credit card machine at Tuesday lunch on November 28th and December 5th. A simple swipe can make a difference!

    Let’s work together to support the work of The Salvation Army and make it the best season ever!

  • Catacombs Event Shows How Indy Rotary  Excites, Engages & Evolves

    Catacombs Event Shows How Indy Rotary Excites, Engages & Evolves

    Our club hosted a fantastic recruitment reception at the Catacombs at City Market on Thursday, November 2. Fifty eight guests were treated to food by Sahm’s Catering, drinks from Tom Tap and a short presentation about the unique space. Rotarians Troy Hollings, Andrea Geiger and John Mainella also shared why they are proud to be members of Rotary. If you would like to learn more about our club, or know someone who would benefit from membership, email Kelly or visit our membership page.

  • 2017 Chili Cook-Off Winner!

    2017 Chili Cook-Off Winner!

    Congratulations to Rotarian Norm Melzer who captured the 4th Annual Rotary Chili Cook-off win on Wednesday, October 4th at the Triton Tap Room in Broad Ripple as part of our 5:31 Club.

    Norm was awarded the Silver Ladle Traveling Trophy and was recognized at our weekly meeting on October 10th. Marie Koenig came in 2nd (again) and Matt Burnett and Dave Stamper tied for 3rd. There were over 30 attendees and 15 new members served as judges.

  • October 20: Rotary Club of Indianapolis History Tour

    October 20: Rotary Club of Indianapolis History Tour

    Join fellow Rotarians for an up-close-and-person tour of our Club’s history during this private tour, arranged for by our History Committee. Join us early for lunch at the on-site cafe at 12 p.m. if you can.

    Friday, October 20 at 1 PM – 3 PM, Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

  • 5:31 Club, November 1, Salute To Veterans and Support A Rotary Business!

    Join us for a special Veteran’s Day themed 5:31 event at Hotel Tango Distillery on Wednesday, November 1. We will have a special “5:31” cocktail using Hotel Tango’s special Veteran’s Day labels gin! A portion of our cocktail proceeds will go to HVAF- a nonprofit that supports homeless vets.

    Remember: not only is Hotel Tango the first craft distillery in Indy, co-owned by Rotarian Brian Willsey, but it’s also the first service-disabled combat-veteran owned distillery in the country. What a combination of service and networking! See you there on November 1!

  • October 4: 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off!

    October 4: 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off!

    ROTARY 5:31 CLUB/4th Annual Chili Cook-off: Wednesday, October 4th at the Triton Tap Room, 915 Broad Ripple Avenue. Face-Off against other members of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis! Bring your best batch of chili and see how it stands-up to the chili made by other Indy Rotary Club members. Here are the rules! If you are not participating in the contest, PLEASE STILL COME AND BRING FRIENDS! So, like all 5:31 get-togethers, it will be hot, spicy and fun!

    Registration deadline: September 26th! For more information or to enter the contest, contact David Leonards: ieb@prodigy.net

    Reservations and punctuality not required! 5:31 meet-and-greets are our most popular event get-togethers. They are a fun way to get to know folks outside of our regular Tuesday programs. We always meet at a new location somewhere in the city and it is never dull!

  • 5:31 Club: September 6, 2017

    Please join us for a special Rotary 531 at Metazoa Brewing, 140 S College Ave
    Indianapolis, IN 46202

    Please join us for a special Rotary 531 at Metazoa Brewing on 9/6/17.

    • Bring your dog to visit Metazoa Brewing, a pet-friendly craft brewery in downtown Indy (there’s a dog park for them!)
    • Please donate a bag of dry cat or dog food (preferably Purina brand) for F.I.D.O., Marie Koenig’s not for profit organization
    • Metazoa Brewing is donating 10% of sales of pints & growlers to F.I.D.O.
    • Union Jack food truck available

    Metazoa Brewing & The Rotary Club of Indianapolis are partnering with F.I.D.O. for a 3 week pet food drive culminating in a give-back event on 9/6/2017.
    10% of all pint & growlers sales during this time will go directly to F.I.D.O. to help families feed and protect their pets, despite financial hardship.

  • Long Time Rotarian, Jim Bradford Passes Away

    Long Time Rotarian, Jim Bradford Passes Away

    James H. Bradford passed away on August 13, 2017, at the age of 97. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Jeannette W.; daughter, Barbara Lee “Blee” (Jones) (husband, Noell) Nighbert; son, Daniel W. (Susan) Bradford; daughter, Beth E. (Andrews) (husband, Phil) Kimble; five grandchildren, Julie Bradford (Charles) Dunlap, Michael W. (Rachel) Jones, Matthew W. (Leah) Jones, Steven (Robin) Bradford, Derek Andrews; and nine great grandchildren, Sarah and Sam Dunlap, Lily and Violet Jones, Griffin and Ethan Jones, and Elijah, Makayla, and Mason Andrews. He was preceded in passing by a grandson, Clint Andrews.

    Jim was a WWII veteran, having served with the 8th Air Force as a lead navigator, including on the 2000-plane B17 Armada mission supporting the Battle of the Bulge. As a civilian, he pursued his artistic interests as a teacher and as a commercial artist, partnering with Frank Vietor to form Bradford and Vietor Advertising. He retired in 1992 and in 1995, he created The Toy Workshop with his four brothers and his work partner to make “playable toys from recycled wood”. Jim continued this endeavor until his death. The toys were donated each Christmas to underprivileged children.

    Jim was community minded throughout his life, serving his church in many capacities and served as President of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and as a District Governor of Rotary District 6560.

    Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Flanner and Buchanan – Carmel, 325 East Carmel Drive, where services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 18, 2017. Burial will follow at Carmel Cemetery.

    Memorial contributions may be directed to East 91st Street Christian Church or to Rotary International Foundation. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.
    Published in the The Indianapolis Star on Aug. 15, 2017