Pertains to those activities that Rotarians undertake to improve the quality of life in their community. It frequently involves assistance to youth, the aged, the disabled, and others who look to Rotary as a source of hope for a better life.
Community Service Chair
Jeff Hughes
Dictionary Program: Each year we provide dictionaries to all 3rd graders at Derry Elementary School. This year we plan to provide ninth graders with dictionaries as well thanks to the sale of YNOT buttons in memory of Tony Meyn.
Flag Program: We raise and lower flags throughout South Padre Island, Port Isabel, and Laguna Vista for six national holidays. Basic subscriptions are $75.00.
Winter Texan Appreciation Fish Fry.
Our region experienes an influx of visitors each year in the winter - "Winter Texans". They bring many things to our community including economic stimulus, volunteer labor force, etc. This project is designed to show the Winter Texans our appreciation for them and at the same time raise funds for our "general fund".
Food Bank Pie Donation
We ask that each Rotarian bring 2 pies or $10 to our weekly meeting the Friday before Thanksgiving. We use any monies to purchase additional pies and take what we have to the local food bank. The pies are distributed to each family along with their Thanksgiving food distribution. In 2009 we involved Rotarians on that day of giving so we could be directly involved in the distribution of the pies. 52 pies were given in 2009.
Ciudad de los Ninos
Each Rotarian brought 2 wrapped gifts to our Annual Christmas Party. (One boy gift and one girl gift). These gifts were then given to the Ciudad de los Ninos orphanage in Matamoras for distribution. They then identify where the gifts will be most needed and distribute for us. This year we also plan to assist with the installation of air conditioners in the dorms.
Adopt a Highway: TxDOT has assigned us a 3.5 mile stretch of Rt. 100 starting at the high school and going through Laguna Vista. Our club collects trash along this stretch four times a year.
Law Enforcement Appreciation Breakfast
This project is designed to appreciate and honor the 3 local Police Departments and Fire Departments (South Padre Island, Port Isabel and Laguna Vista) as well as the local Coast Guard. There will be police safety, fire safety, and boating safety materials for all children, as well as a display of all the different vehicles used by these agencies. This project achieves more than one goal, it honors and highlights the importance of our local law enforcement and provides training for our local children.
2009-2010
COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES
Dictionary Project
At the beginning of each school year, our club distributes free dictionaries to all third graders at Derry Elementary School.
2009 results
226 third grade students not only received a dictionary with their name on a label within the book (provided free by Toucan Graphics) but also, thanks to a $1,000.00 WalMart grant, we were able to provide each student with a Thesaurus.
Food Pantry Pie Donation
Each year we provide pies to the Methodist Church Food Pantry for Thanksgiving baskets.
2009 results
Thanks to club member monetary donations ($220.00) and a $40.00 gift certificate provided by WalMart, we were able to provide 52 pies for Thanksgiving.
Flag Program
Our club raises flags in our tri-town area during six holidays a year. The basic rate for this service is $75.00.
2009 results
Flags were raised for the 4th of July, Veterans Day, Pearl Harbor Day, Presidents' Day, Flag Day and Memorial Day.
Winter Texan Appreciation Fish Fry
The fish fry fundraiser was held February 13, 2010 at Schlitterbahn. Tickets went for $7.00. $4,717.26 was raised.
Public Safety Appreciation Breakfast
This pancake breakfast was our first annual benefit designed to create an endowment fund to benefit and honor the 3 local police and fire departments as well as the local Coast Guard. The breakfast was held on May 15, 2010 and raised about $5,000.00 for the endowment fund.
Adopt a Highway
Our first trash bash was held on April 10. 19 Rotarians, 4 Interactors, and the high school principal participated in cleaning 3.5 miles of Rt. 100 starting at the high school and passing through Laguna Vista. 57 bags of trash and assorted tires, mattresses, etc. were collected.
Laguna Heights fire victims
Four families were burned out in Laguna Heights in March. We provided a total of $500.00 in WalMart gift certificates to the families.
Community Donations
Our club makes cash donations to several local organizations:
Boys and Girls Club $1,000.00 (paid)
Boy Scouts $500.00 (paid)
Derry Choir $100.00 (paid)
Business of the Year
Each June, a local business is recognized for their community service. Pirate’s Landing was recognized last year. Our 2010 Business of the year was the Port Isabel Press.
Community Service Budget:
Dictionary Project $1,028.00*
Thanksgiving Turkeys $260.00**
Boys and Girls Club $1,000.00
Boy Scouts $500.00
Derry Choir $100.00
Rotary vests $257.66
Law Enforcement Endowment Fund $5,000.00
Total $8,145.66
*$1,000.00 came from a WalMart Grant
**Pass the Hat donations and $40.00 WalMart gift certificate