• Indy Rotary World Community Service Completes the “Three Days Project” in Zimbabwe

    Indy Rotary World Community Service Completes the “Three Days Project” in Zimbabwe

    This past summer, the World Community Service Team of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis completed several projects to provide fresh water and help the Ezekiel Guti Primary School in Harare, Zimbabwe. On behalf of the World Community Service committee, thank you to the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation and all other contributors who truly make a difference in the lives of others throughout the world!

    The project included:

    • Drilling of borehole, providing necessary casing, water retention tank, and pump,
    • Gas for transportation to borehole location,
    • Project management and administrative assistance,
    • Personal Driving Assistance.

    Ezekiel Guti Primary School

    What We Do. The World Community Service Committee (WCSC) is responsible for identifying and supporting international service projects for the Club. Projects generally have a club member “champion” who ideally works in partnership with an overseas Rotary Club and personally travels to the location of the project to help create relationships and oversee the project. The committee currently supports clean water initiatives in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Haiti and Ecuador; multiple projects in Kenya including support for a legal aid clinic, mother-child hospital, and school classrooms; an aquaculture project in Moshi, Tanzania; a microfinance project in Calnali, Mexico; and peace learning projects in Jamaica.

  • October 26, Make a Difference on Make a Difference Day!

    make a difference dayRotary’s “Make a Difference Day” is Saturday, October 26.

    This year we will make our difference by assembling packages of food at Kids Against Hunger of Central Indiana, located in Noblesville. We will pack food from 9am until 11am for distribution both locally and globally. Children even as young as 5 can participate. Contact Norm Melzer at normmelzer[at]gmail.com for details and to sign up.

  • So Long, Babe…Hope to See You Again

    So Long, Babe…Hope to See You Again

    On Friday, September 27th our beloved “Babe” returned to the Kiwanis, once again. He left our closet to be in their closet, and we couldn’t be more saddened by the loss. On Friday, June 21, 2013 the Kiwanis won a close softball game against the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and because of that loss the traditional “handing over of the trophy” will occur.

    The “tradition” has always been that the losing team must hand the trophy back to the winning team at a club meeting. As anyone can imagine this can be a fun, yet humiliating event each year, so there is truly motivation to hang on to the “Babe!” This year, Greg Albright, Team Manager and Coach returned the trophy. He was accompanied by a few of the players, President Scott Armstrong and Executive Director Susie Harmless.

    Over the many years of softball games, your “Team Rotary” has had the winning advantage, although this may be disputed by Kiwanis because no “official” records have been kept. But, the one thing that has remained consistent has been the wonderful opportunity we are given each year to play at Victory Field thanks to longtime Rotarian Cal Burleson and longtime Kiwanian, Max Schumacher. They have allowed the two clubs to participate in this annual Summer game for many, many years. And, it is fun for the players and the fans.

    If you are interested in playing (and are seriously competitive), please call Greg Albright at 631-3733 or email him at galbright[at]indyrotary.org to get on the roster for next year. You must be a Rotarian to play!

     

  • Two Rotarians Shine as Finalists for Junior Achievement’s “Indy’s Best And Brightest” Awards!

    On Thursday, Ocotober 17, Junior Acheivement will recognize two of our very own at the annual “Indy’s Best and Brightest” event. In Banking and Financial Services, LaTonya Gaither, Service Center Manger at the Teachers Credit Union, Rotarian since November, 2012. And, in Technology, Dan Randolph, Lead Biologist with Dow AgroSciences and Rotarian since December, 2010. Our Rotarians are special! Please congratulate these deserving members of our community and thank them for being members of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis!

  • September 28, Help us Pedal For Peace

    September 28, Help us Pedal For Peace

    Join Team Rotary on  Saturday, September 28, 2013. 3-7 p.m. for this year’s Pedal for Peace.

    The event will take place at Major Taylor Velodrome, a world-class bike racing facility that was built for the Pan Am Games 3649 Cold Spring Rd.

    Watch this short video.

    Tim Dudley and Lisa JeffOur team is “Indy Rotary” and is open to all Rotarians, families and friends.  Last year we had about 15 bikers who had a wonderful time taking turns riding the track, visiting and enjoying food and fun.

    Donations from team participants will provide a school lunch for over 400 children for an entire year in Kenya AND help leading pantries procure 75 tons of food for hungry Indianapolis area residents. The recipients of the lunch would not be in school at all without the lunch so the gift is so much more than just food for these children.

    How do you get involved?

    Go to “Register to ride.”

    Our goal is for each rider to raise at least $100 for the cause – donations can be made thru the website or brought the day of the event.

  • MHAGI Receives Grant from The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation

    Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis is Indianapolis’ leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. Mental Health America represents a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation – everyday and in times of crisis.

    MHA Indy, a United Way of Central Indiana community partner, is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

    MHA Indy is also an affiliate of the national Mental Health America and a chapter of Mental Health America of Indiana.

  • Help F.I.D.O. Break the World Record of 13,000lbs of Pet Food Donated in One Week!

    Help F.I.D.O. Break the World Record of 13,000lbs of Pet Food Donated in One Week!

    F.I.D.O. (Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside) Guinness Book of World Records for Most Pet Food Donated in One Week (Sept. 22-29)

    ROTARIANS! How can you help F.I.D.O. break the World Record of 13,000# of pet food donated in one week? Sign up for a shift to be a witness for this event! Or, bring a bag of Purina dog or cat food (or any brand of canned dog or cat food) to the Sept. 24 Rotary mtg. and will “retrieve” it from you after the meeting!

    Other Options for donating food. There are several sponsors throughout Indianapolis who can take your monetary or food donations. Please check out this link. NOTE: Please FIRST call the sponsor to see whether they are taking food, money or both.

    Shifts available: All activities are held at F.I.D.O headquarters, 456 N. Holmes Ave. in Haughville, 2 miles west of downtown, on the SW corner of Michigan St. and Holmes Ave. You’ll receive a volunteer packet and a cool t-shirt complete with the Rotary logo on it!

    Sunday, 9/22, from 11:30 – 1:30
    Sunday, 9/22, from 1:30 – 3
    Friday, 9/27 from 7 – 8:30 PM
    Saturday, 9/28 from 12 – 2 PM

    Contact Marie Koenig, F.I.D.O. Treasurer and Supplies Coordinator, by Sunday, Sept. 15. koenigmarie55[at]gmail.com. Phone: 509-0525 THANK YOU!

    F.I.D.O.’s Mission Statement: Improve the quality of life for outside dogs, especially those animals that are chained or neglected, by finding alternatives to continuous chaining.

    Our programs include:
    Outreach, Case Management, Humane Education, Fence Projects, Supplies Distribution, Humane Trapping, and Managing the Indianapolis Pet Food Pantry at FIDO headquarters, 456 N. Holmes Ave. in Haughville.

    To address the growing need for pet food subsidies to Indianapolis residents, FIDO established and manages a dog and cat food pantry. Proof of low-income status and spay/neuter for each pet is required. For clients who are in financial need, free or discounted spay/neuter options are provided. In addition to providing dog and cat food to clients for their own pets, we distribute cat food to feral/free-roaming cat colony caretakers each month. By year-end, we will have distributed 90 tons of pet food.

  • Rotary Conducts 4-Way Test at Christel House

    Rotary Conducts 4-Way Test at Christel House

    On September 5th, the Rotary Education Committee and 12 Rotarians volunteered to assist  Christel House Academy with the 4-Way Test for the first time!

    The 4-Way Test Middle School Program is an amazing opportunity which allows Rotarians to interact with students in the 7th grade giving them ideas/techniques and tactics for great decision making throughout their lives! And all it costs you is a couple hours of your time.

    These activities are vital to the students growth and foundation and we promise the experience is rewarding, eye-opening and fun!

    Watch a video about the 4-Way Test.

    Rotarian Michael Salemi is pictured with a group of students as they discuss this ethical way of making decisions.

    A huge thank you to everyone who helped at this event. I heard nothing but glowing comments from everyone. Please know that this kind of work is such a tremendous investment in our students. It was tremendous to have had so many Rotarians help. And, a special thank you to Dene Nidiffer for leading the charge! Rotarian, Carey Dahncke

  • Young Professionals of Rotaract and Rotary Club of Indianapolis Help Raise $11,000 for Timmy Global Health!

    Young Professionals of Rotaract and Rotary Club of Indianapolis Help Raise $11,000 for Timmy Global Health!

    On Friday, August 16, Rotarians “Thought Global,” tested their knowledge of world trivia and competed for great prizes with lots of other donors at the annual Taste of the World Timmy Trivia event. Everyone ate delicious international cuisine prepared by Second Helpings and drank locally crafted beer pairings from Flat 12.

    Rotaract’s goal was to raise $6000 and they surpassed that number by raising $11,000 to benefit lots of lives for Timmy Global Health. Way to go Rotary and Rotaract!

    The Rotary club was well represented by purchasing two tables! Please thank Rotarians Scott Armstrong, Jeff Lake, Lauren Scheldrup, Debbie Hyde, Stacey Blanton, Patrick Broccolo, and Greg Albright.

    And, a special thank you to ALL of the Rotaract participants and organizers who made this event possible, including President Tyler Droste, Chris Bean and Grant McCoy!

  • The Day of Innovation on September 12

    The Day of Innovation on September 12

    The only Indiana innovation event that brings together leaders and practitioners from all sectors and backgrounds. The convergence of minds from business, non-profits, academia and start-ups creates for an unprecedented mix of energy and creativity. Buy your tickets, or a ticket package for your organization, today! Because at the Day of Innovation, from sun-up to sun-down, it’s all about innovation. Visit dayofinnovation.com for event details, announcements and tickets. Media Contact: Brenda Jackson-Morrissey.

    Centric’s Indiana Innovation Network is proud to announce Purdue University President, Mitch Daniels as the 2013 recipient of the Excellence in Innovation Award.

    “In honor and recognition of Mitch Daniels’ innovative leadership and accomplishments as the 49th Governor of the State of Indiana and the focus on innovation he has placed as President of Purdue University, it is our distinct privilege to make this announcement,” said, Centric Board Chair, Doug McColgin.

    “Our single highest ambition in public life has been to see Indiana become a leader of change, an innovator economically and in every dimension,” Daniels said. “There is no area in which I could be more appreciative of being recognized.”

    Indiana Innovation Award winners include three time winner, Delta Faucet, and two time winners, People for Urban Progress and Vortek Surgical. First time corporate winners include Bloomington’s Studio Cypher, and Fishers-based ECO Lighting Solutions, Fish Boing Lures out of Plainfield and others. Non-profit and arts winners include the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Brackets for Good, and the Symphony’s ensemble-in-residence, Time for Three.