Meriwether County Rotarians installed a beautiful planter box at the front of a local high school’s sign, enhancing the campus entrance with vibrant greenery. This project reflects Rotary’s commitment to community service, beautification, and supporting local schools. By adding a touch of nature, the club aims to create a welcoming atmosphere for students, staff, and visitors. The planter box serves as a lasting symbol of Rotary’s dedication to service above self, fostering pride and positivity within the school community. This initiative is part of the club’s ongoing efforts to make a meaningful impact in Meriwether County.
*Sending Christmas Cards to Residents at Becky's Rest Home*
On December 13, the members of the Rotary Club gathered together to write and sign twenty-five heartfelt Christmas cards for the residents of Becky's Rest Home, located in the charming town of Fletcher, North Carolina.
The Meriwether County Rotary Club has successfully raised funds to support Ferst Readers, a renowned organization that provides high-quality books and essential literacy resources to children and their families. These resources are designed for home use during the early stages of a child's development, allowing parents and caregivers to foster a child's love for reading actively. Empowering every community member to participate in this initiative helps ensure that every child has a strong foundation for a bright future.
Building Hope: A Spring Break to Remember
On March 9th, a group of St. Mary's College students embarked on a journey that would change their spring break and make a tangible difference in the lives of a needy family. The annual college challenge for Habitat for Humanity took them to the heart of Meriwether County, where they dedicated their time and energy to building a home from the ground up.
On Friday, December 13, the Rotary Club of Meriwether County celebrated joyously with friends and family at the picturesque Pebble Brook Golf Club for their annual Christmas Party. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and laughter, creating a perfect backdrop for an evening dedicated to fellowship and community spirit.
On December 3rd, the Meriwether County Rotary Club made a powerful impact by donating $500 to Operation Good Neighbor.
Founded in 1982 by the Brotherhood Department of First Baptist Church in Manchester, Operation Good Neighbor is a meaningful program fueled by the passion of dedicated volunteers. It serves the community from 233 West Main Street in Manchester.
The Meriwether County Rotary Club beautifully adorned a Rotary Christmas tree for the second annual “Celebration of Trees” contest, proudly sponsored by the Manchester Development Authority at the Manchester Mill on Callaway Street in Manchester.
On Tuesday, August 29, the Meriwether County Rotary Club donated $900 to the DORCAS Food Ministry at the First Baptist Church of Warm Springs.
To raise money for the DORCAS Food Ministry program, the Rotary Club members purchase a ticket for one dollar to win a prize. The money collected from the ticket donation is given to the DORCAS Ministry fund for the food bank.
On February 11th, eight Rotarians were honored with the Paul Harris Fellow recognition during the weekly meeting of the Meriwether County Rotary Club. This recognition is the Rotary Foundation’s appreciation for significant contributions to its humanitarian and educational programs. The award is named after Rotary's founder, a Chicago lawyer who established the organization with three business associates in 1905.
**Foundation Football Fundraiser for the Rotary Foundation**
As the college football season unfolded, the Rotary Club of Meriwether County, along with passionate "friends of Rotary," enthusiastically chose a college football team to rally behind and cheer for. Throughout this exciting season, members came together at Rotary meetings to passionately discuss and record their team's weekly scores, building camaraderie and friendly competition among them.
The Grand Celebration
On Thursday, October 3rd, the Town of Warm Springs prepared for a grand celebration to commemorate the centennial of Franklin D. Roosevelt's first visit to the town. The three-day event schedule began at 6:00 P.M. with a ceremony at the Warm Springs Welcome Center at 1 Broad Street. This ceremony marked the 100th anniversary of Franklin D. Roosevelt's arrival in Warm Springs.
**Rotary Supports Student Fall Soccer Camp**
During the fall season, the Meriwether County Rotary Club co-sponsored a kids' soccer camp for community students. Rotarian Bob Patterson inspires students to find their passion for soccer, promotes health, and, most importantly, nurtures peace and unity within the community.
The Rotary Club of Meriwether County was awarded a $6350 grant from the Rotary Foundation and Rotary District 6900 Competitive Grant for 2024-2025 to support the Meriwether County School System Wraparound Care Centers located within the schools.
George Richmond, the Director of the Meriwether County Animal Shelter, was the guest speaker of the Meriwether County Rotary Club on July 23, 2024. Mr. Richmond spoke about how the Meriwether County Animal Shelter provides care and protection for homeless, abandoned, or neglected dogs or cats. In addition, the Shelter assists in finding forever homes for the animals who come to the Shelter.
*Playing Santa for Seniors**
December marks the joyful arrival of the Christmas season in Warm Springs, a time filled with celebration and cheer. However, not everyone has the chance to participate in the lively holiday festivities or enjoy the warmth of family gatherings, especially those living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. This situation does not mean they are forgotten during this special time of year.
On September 10, Quardez Warrior gave an update on one of the projects that is a cornerstone of the Meriwether County Rotary Club.
The Prevention and Responsible Choices (PARC) Program, established in 1991, stands as a transformative initiative aimed at reshaping the futures of at-risk adolescents. This powerful program emerged from a collaboration between Roosevelt Warm Springs' Brain Injury Program, the Rotary Club of Meriwether County, and the dedication of the late Juvenile Judge David Turner and Probate Judge Idus Robertson. With deep roots in community service and youth rehabilitation, the PARC Program has become a cornerstone in the lives of many young people in West Central Georgia.
On Wednesday, March 5, and Friday, March 7, the Rotary Club of Meriwether County enthusiastically participated in the vibrant Real People Read event at Unity Elementary and Mountain View Elementary.
Real People Read is a cherished annual program that ignites a passion for reading and raises awareness about literacy, inviting community volunteers to share the magic of stories with every child throughout March. This month honors the birthday of the beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the Meriwether County Rotary Club had the honor of hosting Bob Patterson, the respected Chair of the Meriwether County Rotary Club Foundation, as their guest speaker. Mr. Patterson captivated the audience with his enlightening discourse on the profound impact that the Rotary Foundation has on both local and global communities.
Rotarians' weekly gatherings are about more than just companionship, community service, and professional interest. They are a vibrant community where you belong, share, and grow together.
*Santa for Seniors Delivery*
On Tuesday, December 17, the Meriwether County Rotary Club embraced the spirit of giving by organizing a heartfelt event called Santa for Seniors. This event brought joy to the residents of the Warm Springs Nursing Home and Mountain View Assistive Living Facility by delivering Christmas gifts to each resident.
The Rotary Club of Meriwether County was awarded a $2000 Community grant from the Rotary Foundation and Rotary District 6900 for 2024-2025. This grant is a crucial step in supporting electronic learning books and tablets for the Get Meriwether Reading Program, a vital initiative for our community.
As the festive season approaches, we look forward to the joyful occasion known as Friendsgiving. The Meriwether County Rotarians are embracing the spirit of togetherness and culinary delight. On Tuesday, November 12th, the club came to life with laughter and conversation during their Friendsgiving luncheon, where current Rotarians and cherished friends gathered to enjoy a variety of delicious dishes and celebrate their friendships.
On November 19 and 20, the Meriwether County Rotary Club proudly supported the 2024-2025 REACH Georgia Signing Day Ceremony at Greenville Middle School and Manchester Middle School.
REACH Georgia is not just a scholarship program; it’s a transformative journey that empowers students with essential academic, social, and financial support, guiding them toward graduating high school, accessing college, and thriving in Georgia's workforce. Each student has the opportunity to earn a $10,000 scholarship, providing invaluable assistance of up to $2,500 per year for attendance at a HOPE-eligible postsecondary institution in Georgia.
In June, Rotary District 6900 hosted a five-day Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) leadership summer camp at Georgia Southwestern University. The camp was open to young leaders aged 15 to 18 from West Georgia. The event brought together 96 students and 45 staff members from diverse backgrounds.
Meriwether Co Rotary Club Participates in High School Report Card Conference
On October 18th and 21st and March 12th and 14th, Meriwether County Rotary Club members participated in one-on-one report card conferences with students from Manchester High School and Greenville High School. Rotarian members and other community leaders met with each student during the conferences to review their report card grades, provide career advice and support, and discuss their personal and school interests. This event aimed to offer students positive feedback and encouragement to excel academically.
Over 30 individuals united in a powerful show of support against heart disease by proudly wearing red on National Wear Red Day. They gathered to hear from Staci Bagley, the inspiring Chronic Disease Prevention Program Manager at the District 4 Georgia Department of Public Health, who delivered a motivational message at the Rotary Club of Meriwether County and Manchester Woman's Club Wear Red Luncheon on Friday, February 7th.