Service Projects Committee Update February 4, 2015

Posted by Kaley Foster

on Feb 04, 2015

Salvation Army After School Program – This program is headed by Barbara Hunsicker, Julie Brandle, and Julie's daughter, Kimberly. It takes place at the Salvation Army on Maple St. in Akron every Monday afternoon from 4-5. One thing mentioned about this program is that they could use more men working with the children.

Dictionary Project – This project is headed by Samantha Coldwell and Karen Meek. Beginning the week of January 12th and continuing throughout February, we will be handing out dictionaries to every 3^rd grade student in the Akron Public School system, totaling 1,635 dictionaries. We are getting some volunteers from Rotaract, Torchbearers, and the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, but are also seeking Rotary club members to help pass out dictionaries. You can reach out to Samantha or Karen to sign up to help with this project

Sandy Hook Promise – This project is being headed by Terry Dalton and Chris Manby. The goal of the project is to create awareness and support for "Promise Day" and possibly have a large scale discussion on this topic at a place such as Akron Roundtable. One thing that was mentioned at the last service meeting was to possibly get the ALICE Training Institute involved since they deal with training and educating people of all ages how to react if an attack were to take place in their office, school, or at a public event.

Youth Exchange and Interact Clubs – S

Headed by Susan Colville-Hall and her committee. They are working to strengthen the program for incoming exchange students. More information from Susan is attached to this e-mail.

Visit by Nigerian Author – Headed by Julie Brandle. The goal is to bring award-winning Nigerian Author and storyteller, Atinuke, to Akron next spring to present at some of the schools that are in need of enrichment and intervention opportunities. Barberton was a school that was mentioned in the meeting. This project is still in the works.

Mobile Meals – This project is headed by Matt Johnson and takes place one Saturday per month (usually the second Saturday). It is from 8:30-11:30 and meals are delivered to people’s homes who are involved in the program. You can sign up on the website or during Tuesday lunch meetings.

Shoeboxes for the Children of the Dump – Headed by Stew Buchanan and Jack Young. They both traveled to Nicaragua the first week of December to deliver shoeboxes to children in need between the ages of 4-17. This is done in 7 days by 17 Rotary members across the US. The Shoeboxes will need to be assembled by August of 2015 for the trip in December. Stew said they had a wonderful time and were very well received by the children.

Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive – Headed by Mark Seward. Had a great turnout for this year’s Kettle Drive at Acme #1 on W. Market St. This year it took place on December 5^th & 6^th and $2,019.09 was raised.

We had a few other ideas that were discussed along with other projects that have happened in the past that we should begin gearing up for. They are listed below:

Rotary Camp Projects:

Sunday registration throughout the summer

Container gardens - May or June

Thursday night dinners throughout the summer

Super Learning Center Christmas Party

United Way Day of Action in June - Mark Seward will be heading this project

Keep Akron Beautiful - Landscape award - Takes place near the end of July and first week of August

*New* South Street Ministries - Labor intensive projects which need volunteers at the Front Porch Cafe throughout January, February and March - We discussed possibly recruiting Lambda Chi & the Rotoract Club to help with these projects - I am going to reach out to Eric Harmon from South Street to gather some more information about these projects. Sarah and Doug are heading this project.