September is Basic Education & Literacy Month in the Rotary calendar. We observed it with two Project Showcases featuring Bethlehem’s Dictionary Project and Nazareth’s Josh the Otter. Mandy Helwig of the Springfield Township-Flourtown Club shared the “Teach Rwanda” proposed bakery and kitchen on Showcase Tuesday. Bob Mallon told us about the Warrington Rotary Club’s innovative “I Like Me” project during that Showcase Tuesday on September 14th. Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan told us that “literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.” How will your Rotary Club bring hope to others through a literacy service project?
District 7430 has three events for your enjoyment. First, the ShelterBox Stock the Box event is slated at the Steel Club on September 10th. We want each Club to contribute some amount so we can continue to lead in the critical disaster assistance provided by ShelterBox. Second, we seek fellowship and to support the Rotary Foundation through the District 7430 Golf Tournament at Brookside Country Club on September 20th. Third, please join us to have fun and eradicate Polio at the Purple Pinkie Race to Zero and Octoberfest at the Schnecksville Community Fair on October 2nd. You can register for these events on the District website or in this edition of “Welcome Aboard.”The District circulated a COVID-19 update. I thank Dr. Michael Seidner for becoming our District 7430 COVID-19 Advisor. Please allow him to address your in-person assembly questions and refer back to our July Showcase Tuesday for tips on conducting virtual and hybrid meetings.
We said goodbye to our past District Administrator Sharon Rittenhouse on August 28th. Sharon served the District with cheerful willingness for approximately eight years, beginning with our Youth Exchange program. She epitomized the “service above self” motto for the District and the West Reading-Wyomissing Club. If you are inclined to make a financial gift in Sharon’s memory, you might give a check payable to “District 7430 Foundation” for the benefit of our District Youth Programs by mailing to Treasurer Tom Hartzell, HMK Insurance, 54 S. Commerce Way, Suite 150, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
Thanks to our Rotary Club Presidents for welcoming me during “official” visits. I will continue these meetings through October. The North Penn Club drew me to a prospective member mixer at the Lansdale Tavern. Tell me about your special Club events so I can join, if possible. Let’s be our best selves through Rotary!