Photos courtesy of Rotary Club of The WoodlandsPeople
Nonprofit of the Month: Rotary Club of The Woodlands
The Hello Woodlands Nonprofit of the Month is brought to you by Randy Lovelace of Paragon Independent Insurance Agencies and highlights a local nonprofit organization that serves the Montgomery County community.
The nonprofit of the month is Rotary Club of The Woodlands, a local non-profit and service organization celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Comprised of business and professional men and women in The Woodlands area, Rotary is committed to “Service Above Self” and serves the local community and people throughout the world. Read our interview below with Craig Eissler, Board Member of the Rotary Club of The Woodlands.
THE INTERVIEW
Tell us about Rotary Club of The Woodlands.
The main objective of Rotary is SERVICE – in the community and throughout the world. Rotarians build goodwill and peace, provide humanitarian service, and encourage high ethical standards in all vocations. The Rotary motto is “Service Above Self” and based upon the following Four Pillars:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
What is Rotary’s story? How did the organization start? What is Rotary’s mission and why?
The Rotary Club of The Woodlands came into being in 1975 (we’re also celebrating our 50th year this year!) along with The Woodlands itself. As the foundations of the first homes were being poured, the first businessmen who would be living and working in the community began building the foundations of Rotary. The spirit of service and fellowship that are the hallmarks of the town were embodied in that fledgling club when it was chartered on June 19, 1975. Forty years later, the club has grown to nearly 200 men and women. Our commitment to service remains strong as we support our community’s youth, those in our community who are less fortunate, and each other.
Charter president Vernon Robbins understood well the significance of Rotary and the opportunity a club brings to a new community. Vern had launched the club in Columbia, Maryland, a master-planned community similar to the one he came to help build in Texas. Gathering together leaders from the burgeoning town, he established The Rotary Club of The Woodlands and served as president for a month. Tom Boak took over the helm, overseeing the array of social and service activities conducted in one year by just 28 members.
Who and where does Rotary serve? What programs and services does Rotary offer?
The spirit of service and fellowship!
Our commitment to service remains strong as we support our community’s youth, those in our community who are less fortunate, and each other. Each year we give more than $50,000 in scholarships to area students and we support them in Interact. We ring bells for the Salvation Army at Christmas, we collect food and funds for the Montgomery County Food Bank, we work to improve a home for a needy family, we honor our seniors and our veterans, we conduct literacy campaigns, we give blood, and we immunize small children with the Shots Across Texas program.
One of the cornerstones of the Rotary’s programs is providing scholarships for students as well as launching Interact groups in schools to promote service-minded projects.
Members of the Rotary Club of The Woodlands live by the Rotary Motto “Service Above Self” through its numerous service projects in Montgomery County. Founded in 1975, the Rotary Club supports numerous service projects, such as:
- Scholarships for high school seniors and Lone Star College (Montgomery)
- Montgomery County Food Bank and fairs
- Worldwide Polio Eradication
- International Youth Exchange
- Disaster response and recovery
- Teacher Appreciation
Rotary House is a Community Service provided by The Woodlands Rotary Club to out-of-town families and patients receiving extended medical treatment in the Woodlands Area. Rotary House currently serves patients of:
- CHI St. Luke’s Hospital
- Conroe Regional Medical Center Memorial Hermann Medical Center
- Methodist Hospital The Woodlands
- Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands
- MD Anderson Treatment Center
What makes Rotary unique?
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.4 million members of more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary’s work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.
How can the community get involved, volunteer, and support Rotary Club of The Woodlands?
We meet every Thursday at 12 p.m. at The Woodlands Country Club Palmer Course ballroom. Guests are always welcome! Come learn about all the many service events going on that you can volunteer to help with.
Where can the community learn more?
Visit the Rotary Club of The Woodlands website at www.woodlandsrotary.org.
Follow the Rotary Club of The Woodlands on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rotaryofthewoodlands and on Instagram @rotaryclubofthewoodlands.
Anything else you would like to share about your organization?
The club was recently recognized this year with a Hometown Heroes designation by Interfaith of The Woodlands.
Read the story: Rotary Club of The Woodlands celebrates 50th Anniversary with Book Launch
ABOUT RANDY LOVELACE
To learn more about Randy Lovelace, his “Referral for a Cause” program to help local nonprofit organizations, and Paragon Independent Insurance Agencies, please call (281) 298-0440, email rlovelace@paragoninsagencies.com, or visit www.paragoninsagencies.com/woodlands.
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