by Carol Lewis, Nordonia Hills Rotary Club
The Nordonia Hills Rotary Club has been busy lately. This group, which meets each Tuesday at noon at Gambitta's on Route 82, has "Service Above Self" as their motto. And they live this motto.
In early May, Rotary teamed up with Rebuilding Together. Each year, a Summit County resident is helped to make their home healthier or safer.
Rebuilding Together finds the families, checks the needs, and furnishes the needed supplies. Rotary supplies the manpower.
This year, 10 Rotarians gave up one of their Saturdays to clean gutters, install some doors, install a ceiling fan and paint several rooms at the home of a Northfield Village resident. The group worked all day, dodging the rain, and making the homeowner very grateful.
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Because the school year is drawing to a close, many parents are worrying about how to provide the breakfasts and lunches that are provided by the schools for low-income families. To help with this problem, the Nordonia Hills Rotary Club is doing a marathon shopping day at Aldi's. With a budget of $500, Rotary will furnish peanut butter, jelly, cereal and other wholesome foods to the Emergency Assistance Center. Parents can turn to the Center for assistance during the long summer break.
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Plans are currently underway for Safety Town for preschoolers. Rotary works with the Nordonia Hills YMCA to make certain that children learn skills such as crossing the street and basic fire safety. Stephanie Roberts will be the instructor this year. Stephanie is a Brecksville school teacher and has been a familiar face at the Nordonia Hills YMCA.
Sign up will be June 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the YMCA on Shepard Road at Route 82. Applications will also be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at the YMCA during normal business hours. Rotary is proud to sponsor this important service.
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Plans are being made for the annual Rotary clambake. Save the date of Oct. 11 and watch for details. Proceeds from this event are used to provide Thanksgiving baskets to area families in need.
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In addition to local projects, Rotary has an international thrust also. Working with St. Barnabas Elementary School and Chanel High School students, our Rotary club has purchased FiltaStraws to ship to the aid of children who have no safe drinking water. These special straws filter the dirt and bacteria from water. The straws are worn on a string around the neck, so that they are available when a source of water is found. The students have held a number of fundraisers to accomplish the goal of purchasing the FiltaStraws. Rotary has underwritten the cost of shipping them.
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Our club has also purchased a Shelter Box. This plastic crate contains blankets, a tent, water filtering supplies and basic utensils. Shelter boxes are shipped to disaster areas and are designed to provide basic needs for four adults.
We are hoping to receive ours in time to ship it to the victims of the earthquake in China. If you are interested in joining an energetic group that puts service above self, please join us at Gambitta's.
Rotary is made up of local business and community leaders. We welcome new members.