Projects
42 Aubrey Greenway Golf & 8th Hagan Cup Classic Tennis Tournament
Our annual fundraiser is all hands on deck and every member of Roswell Rotary Club participates by volunteering, donating or sponsoring the tournament. Working through COVID restrictions, we were able to host 130 golfers and 100+ tennis players between morning and afternoon flights. As in the past, our traditional firemen's ball drop was a big hit.
Adopt A Platoon/Honoring our Veterans
In honor of those who served, for our Veterans Day Program, we identified 14 local sailors deployed on the USS Nimitz in the Persian Gulf, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea and USS Ronald Regan in the South China Sea. The Nimitz operates and trains alongside regional and coalition partners, and provides naval aviation support to Operation Inherent Resolve. The Ronald Regan conducts maritime air defense operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Dwight D. Eisenhower provides a wide range of flexible mission capabilities, including maritime security operations, expeditionary power projection, crisis response, counter-terrorism, and security cooperation.
Blessings In A Backpack
Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. $100 feeds one child on the weekends for one 38 week school year through the Blessings in a Backpack program. Poor nutrition can result in a weaker immune system, increased hospitalization, lower IQ, shorter attention spans and lower academic achievement. Children are fed during the school week by federal government programs, but Blessings In A Backpack want to ensure they receive nutritional meals over the weekend. Roswell Rotary donated $2500 to the cause and packed 100 backpacks filled with nutritional food.
Blood Drives
Roswell Rotary has traditionally promoted blood drives. This year was an exception as we had to secure a new location. Against all odds, we hosted a blood drive at Gate City a local brewery owned by a Roswell Rotarian. Filling up in a matter of days, we scheduled a 2nd drive in September.. Forty three three pints of blood were collected. Due to the demand, we scheduled two additional drives Feb. 25 and March 2nd. Over 95 pints were collected this year.
Building Trust and Hope in Darien, Panama
While investment has been made by the government to construct potable water systems in the indigenous communities of Panamá Este and Darién over the last 30 years, the majority of communities persist without functional systems to provide the quantity and quality of water required for their basic needs. The result is a tremendous burden on the economy, health, and development potential.
Club Bullentins & FUN
This year we undertook additional service projects, and developed interesting and informative ways to keep our members engaged. Fellowship is the secret sauce of Roswell Rotary. For us, it's 5:00 somewhere!
Newsletter - We publish the weekly newsletter to our members and the community at large. We expanded our exposure by including members of the media to receive each week.
Community Charities We Support
Roswell Rotary supports local charities with volunteers, collection drives and donations.
NFCC Backpack Collection & Warm Coat Drive - We delivered 54 backpacks and $625 for school supplies for children supported through NFCC. This organization provides food and clothing to individuals living below the poverty level in the Roswell. We donated 85 coats, 5 pairs of gloves, 24 pairs of socks and $495 in cash donations to the coat drive.
Drive Through Cookout
Serving those who keep us save, Roswell Rotary hosted a Drive Thru Cookout for local law enforcement, fire and rescue and 911 officers. The event was held at Fire Station Number 4 with over 200 burgers and dogs served. Food was donated by Slopes BBQ, King of Pops Popsicles, Lucky's Burgers, and Rhodes Bakery. Sign a Rama contributed the beautiful banner saluting and honoring the officers. 200 shirts were distributed with the Rotary logo which read "We've got your back". We received extensive press coverage in The Neighbor Newspaper, including multiple photos.
Foster Care Support
Foster Care Support serves a vital and growing need throughout Roswell by providing free clothing, infant equipment and developmental toys to thousands of children in foster and relative care. They serve basic-care (costs reimbursed less $25 per day) foster children residing in foster homes in the greater Roswell area, administered by the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and children housed by private agencies. They also service grandparents raising grandchildren and parents caring for relatives children for a limited time. Roswell Rotary collected toys for children specially between the ages of 10 and 17 and young men's clothing. This age group is frequently overlooked.
Jacob's Ladder Taste of Love Kitchen
SUPPORTING BASIC EDUCATION FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS MADE POSSIBLE BY DISTRICT 6900 GRANT.
Jacobs Ladder offers tailored services to children of all ages with Autism, ADHD, Brain Injury, CP, Down Syndrome, Learning Differences, or any developmental syndrome. Their interpersonal Whole Brain Model of Care is individually customized and daily implemented in loving environments to ensure every child and young adult reaches their full potential, no matter the neurological or behavioral challenges faced.
Keeping Roswell Green
The Heart of Roswell Park is centered on Canton Street, a hustling, bustling entertainment district and is one first parks seen by those visiting the area. Due to City of Roswell furloughs and reduction of funds, this park was filled with overgrown weeds, dead shrubs, and in desperate need of landscaping love.
Mask and Hand Sanitizer Distribution
Thanks to the efforts of the Emory Clifton Rotary Club , we received 20,000 disposable and KN95 masks and over 1000 bottles of hand sanitizer. FODAC delivered the boxes and by Monday Jan. 18th the packages were sorted and out the door to fourteen local charities.
Meals on Wheels
Working through North Fulton Senior Services, Roswell Rotarians deliver nutritious meals Monday-Friday to the homes of older adults who have trouble preparing, accessing or affording food for themselves. For those who need weekend meals, two additional meals are delivered on Friday and may be kept in the refrigerator and heated over the weekend. In addition, all seniors who receive Meals on Wheels will receive 3 “shelf stable meals” throughout the year, which are kept in their pantry for use on days when inclement weather makes it impossible for volunteers to deliver.
Moderna Vaccine Distribution
Moderna Vaccine Administration - Rotarian Amy Brannen secured 50 doses of the Moderna vaccine that was administered Sunday Jan 24th to club members and spouses 65 and older. What a blessing! The second dose was given Feb. 21st. We are so fortunate to have club members who go out of their way to help others.
Roswell Police GIVES for the Holidays
Roswell Rotary supported the Roswell Police Department with a $1,500 donation to aid several Roswell families to make sure they had a joyous holiday season by providing gifts, food and financial help.
Roswell Rotarians also assisted officers with wrapping gifts and delivery on Dec. 12th. Riding with the officers, our efforts supported 24 families. At the request of RPD, Pres. Lynne dressed as Ms. Claus.
Scholarships - Power of One
The Power of One scholarship of $1,500 to a senior at one of the six high schools in the Roswell area. Students submit applications which are then reviewed by a committee of Roswell Rotary members. Inspired by Roswell Rotary member Dave McCleary, this Scholarship is awarded to a student based on the individual affecting positive change within the community by using his/her voice, influence, leadership, etc. to make an individual contribution or helping to lead others in making a contribution to the well-being of society. Students who participate in Rotary Interact are given primary consideration.
Scholarships - Stan Moses
The Roswell Rotary Club awards the Stan Moses scholarship of $1,500 to a Roswell High School student under the Stan Moses Scholarship program. Stan was a member of Roswell Rotary for 41 years. A Paul Harris Fellow, Will Watt Fellow and Service Above Self recipient, Stan was a dedicated educator who passed in 2020. The students complete applications which are then reviewed by a committee of Roswell Rotary members. This committee each student based on academic achievement, leadership traits, and service to the community. Students who participate in Rotary Interact are given primary consideration.
Scholarships - Tom Zachary
The Roswell Rotary Club awards four scholarships of $1,500 each to Roswell High School students under the Tom Zachary scholarship program. Scholarships are awarded to students who complete applications which are then reviewed by a committee of Roswell Rotary members. This committee evaluates each student based on academic achievement, leadership traits, and service to the community. Students who participate in Rotary Interact are given primary consideration.
Senior Services
Meals on Wheels/North Fulton Senior Services - Roswell Rotarians deliver nutritious meals Monday-Friday to the homes of older adults who have trouble preparing, accessing or affording food for themselves. Mary Trapp overcame COVID obstacles in developing this new project as a way to serve our seniors.
Virtual Career Day
Roswell High School Virtual Career Day, a first was held Nov. 16th. Thirteen Roswell Rotarians participated. Professions taught included plumbing, electrical engineering, banking, sales, web design, careers in law enforcement, and public service.
Wellstar Zero Suicide Initiative
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in Georgia. Mental health issues have increased considerably during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the CDC Those at risk are showing up and yet very few providers are trained to identify, assess and treat these patients with evidence based care.
9/11 Tribute Ceremony
Alive In Roswell
In the last 11 years, this Roswell community event has grown from a small gathering on Canton St. to a city wide celebration once per month all during the spring, summer and fall. Canton St. is closed to traffic and drinking laws relaxed to allow folks to stroll the streets and enjoy food, music and exhibits by local businesses and non-profits.
Be THE Voice ®
Be THE Voice® was born in the Roswell Rotary club in 2014 as a character building initiative using real life experiences to help students understand the power of the Bystander. Initially launched in 8 area schools by RRC Interact clubs, BTV has grown to 47 schools statewide. BTV is up 135% over last year and now serves over 73,000 students.
End Human Trafficking Now
Rotary is certainly connecting the world through the fight to end human trafficking and modern day slavery.
Regardless of your politics it is pretty darn impressive when a project that starts in a Rotary club in small town Roswell, GA ends up at the White House. Since Dave McCleary brought the issue of Human Trafficking to our club in 2012 we have have been behind him all the way. Every year we support End Human Trafficking Now
Gary Garrett's Farm Day
The reason RRC does so much good in the community and in the world is because we are truly a family of members pulling in the same direction. Part of the secret sauce is making it fun to be a Roswell Rotarian.
Gary Garrett's Farm Day has become an annual tradition of the club. Before the beer flows, we bring out the shotguns to kill clay pigeons. Burgers and dogs come off the grill and everybody pitches in to bring lots of tasty side dishes. Some get a little crazy!
Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest
Our club has been and will continue to be a big supporter of the Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest. Members of our club have served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Rotary Districts Character Education Program which governs the contest.
We sponsor two high schools and dedicate one of our meetings to the award winners from Roswell High School and Independence High School. Students read their essays to our club and are presented with their medals during the meeting. There usually isn't a dry eye in the room.
Health Symposium
This year’s virtual program brings internationally recognized experts from the Centers for Disease Control and the globally acclaimed Shriner's Hospitals together to update the progress and challenges faced by the global polio eradication, examine the significance of the global measles/rubella outbreak and this vaccine resistance to global polio eradication and provide insight and the lasts treatment for an emerging disease that has been called “the new polio“– Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AMF). CEs are available for Physicians, Nurses and Health Professionals.
Honduras Latrine Project/ Lunches For Learning
Lunches for Learning is a nonprofit organization that provides a healthy lunch to school children every school day. The passion of one Rotarian in 2010 has resulted in over 2,500 children being served through Lunches for Learning
Hump Day
Every month on the 2nd Wednesday our club gets together at one of our members restaurants for food and fellowship. This started a few years ago and has been a great new tradition that brings our members together for some fun.
Installation Party
Our club has a great tradition of turning the changing of the guard from one president to the next into a big party. The past president and new president exchange gifts as they pass the presidential pins. The next years board is officially installed.
International Teacher Exchange
To create an ongoing cultural exchange and understanding, Roswell Rotary participates in and financially supports a program of sending a Roswell school teacher to and hosting a school teacher from Pilar, Argentina. This program is the outgrowth of an original student exchange program started by the president of the West Jacksonville, Florida Rotary Club in 1974. The program evolved into a teacher exchange program and was brought to our club by his son, Roswell Rotarian Lee Hollingsworth. After visiting respective school systems and communities for about two weeks, the teachers bring back experiences to their students, faculty, and community. It is also a reward for deserving teachers who are never recognized enough for their contributions to the youth in their communities. The program builds awareness of Rotary in the world community and brings international cultural experiences to those who might normally have the opportunity.
Leadership 20/20
Each year our club hosts students who have been nominated by their teachers for showing leadership qualities for a day of leadership training. The students spend the whole day with guest speakers and Rotarians that push the students leadership skills to new levels. The students participate in challenging exercises and thought provoking conversations to expand their leadership skills.
Meet Roswell Rotary
This year we held a prospective new member social at Gate City, owned by a member of our club. This is a great environment for members to bring prospective members to introduce them to Rotary in a more casual setting.
We were able to utilize the districts grant supporting a New Member Social. We ended up with two new members as a result of this effort.
New Member Social
We held a new member social in late September to get our new members together with our board of directors. This is a great way to connect our new members to the leaders in our club, who can help them get engaged in serving the community.
NFCC Backpack Collection
Roswell Rotary collects backpacks and school supplies for children supported through North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC). This organization provides food, clothing and other services to needy families and individuals living below the poverty level in the Roswell/North Fulton community. This year we donated 54 backpacks and club members donated $625 for additional supplies.his year we filled 64 backpacks with supplies and club members donated $400 to the effort.
NFCC Christmas Toy Drive
Roswell Rotarians collect new toys for the needy in the Roswell/North Fulton community. North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) provides food, clothing, and other services to the homeless, jobless, and those families and individuals living below the poverty level. More than 350 toys were collected, purchased, and delivered to North Fulton Community charities for distribution to children of all ages.
NFCC Coat Drive
Provide gently used coats to the needy in the greater Roswell Community. North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) provides food, clothing, and other services to the homeless, jobless, and those families and individuals living below the poverty level. Rotarians initiated a coat drive to collect gently used coats to support the efforts of the NFCC. This year we collected 85 coats, 5 pairs of gloves, 24 pairs of socks, 10 hats and delivered the coats to NFCC.
North Fulton Rotary Council
Roswell is please to participate in a council that includes all the clubs in North Fulton County.
Police & Fire Foundation
First Responder Recognition: We will honor our first responders April 15th. Both the fire and police chief selected and recognized the officer of the year. Speakers included our Police Chief and Fire Chief.
Printed Directory
Each year a small but dedicated group of volunteers take headshots, update member data, sell ads and layout a printed directory for our club to use to get in touch with each other. The directory is full of useful information about all of our committees, our members and is a great way to do business with a club member. In addition, the directory is a nice fundraiser the helps offset some of the expenses of running the club which keeps our quarterly dues low.
Rivers Alive Chattahoochee Clean Up
Rivers Alive was held on September 19 and March 27th. The event, cohosted by Keep Roswell Beautiful and the City of Roswell, is part of a statewide campaign to clean and preserve Georgia's 70,100 miles of rivers and streams. Rowell Rotary along with small groups of volunteers dispersed across the City to pick up litter along local trails, parks, and waterways, remove privet (an invasive plant species), and mark storm drains in surrounding neighborhoods. This year cleanup sites included Riverside Park, Waller Park, Don White Memorial Park, Seven Branches, and sections of Big Creek. Twenty four Rotarians devoted their morning to help keep our rivers clean. We picked up over 300 pounds of trash from the rivers banks and trails.
Roswell Art Festival
The Roswell Arts Festival was started by members of Roswell Rotary and our club has supported the festival for more than 50 years. Our support started as volunteers spending the night in the square guarding the art work and now we provide the festival with $500 to pay for security guards. The festival brings 100s of visitors to the city and is a great family event.
Rotary Learning Lab
This project is a perfect fit for DG Jim's focus on basic education and literacy
HomeStretch is a non-profit that helps families with school age children who are employed with transitional housing. As part of the program they help residents with job skills and their children with tutoring so they can be successful in school. Rotary North Fulton and Milton partnered with RRC for this grant that will provide HomeStretch with an onsite computer lab that children will use with their tutors to complete school assignments and further their education.
Rotary Youth Exchange
While Rotary Youth Exchange has been around for a long time it is just starting in our district as only 50 students have participated thus far. We are excited to host our first student this year. Ana Clara is from Brazil and will live with 3 different host families in the Roswell High school district. We look forward to having Ana Clara as a part of our club and our community this year.
RUMC Job Networking
Job networking is an outreach program at Roswell United Methodist Church that connects job seekers with local area employers that are hiring. Job seekers can get the clothes they need to dress for success, take a new LinkedIn headshot, have their resume reviewed, practice interviewing and have a nice dinner. Many members of our club volunteer for various roles during this virtual event.
Supporting Youth and Education
Read Across America - On March 2nd we participated in Read Across America where volunteers read to 32 kindergarten classes in the Roswell area. The books were donated to the classes. See video link.
Student & Teacher Of The Year -
Youth Day Parade
This is one of the most public faces of the Roswell Rotary Club as we sponsor and participate in this city ritual of building floats, lots of music, candy being tossed to the kids and so much more.
It is a chance to support all manner of youth programs in the city as represented by themed floats and signs.
Memorial Day "A Day of Remembrance
A Day to Remember Those that Served
For 22 consecutive years thousands of people from Roswell and around the State have joined the Rotary Club of Roswell and the City of Roswell to honor the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our Country. The event is held, annually, on the green at Roswell City Hall. As in 2020, the City of Roswell has cancelled the 2021 Memorial Day Ceremony.
Honor Air Road Warriors Trip & Sharp Shooters Fundraiser
The Mission: In honor of Veterans of the armed forces who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Due to Covid, this trip was postponed until May 2022.
RYLA
In 2020-21, Roswell Rotary will sponsor eight students from three high schools in Roswell to RYLA, paying the full tuition and travel expenses for these students. The students attending RYLA rave about the leadership skills and new friends made during the program. Unfortunately, RYLA was cancelled in 2021.
World Polio Day/Pints for Polio
Roswell Rotarians hosted Pints for Polio at Gate City and Variant breweries. Proceeds from pint sales were donated to End Polio Now. $1500 was donated!