Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad. Over the years, Rotarians have taken on global causes ranging from literacy and peace to water and health, but most often, it is the work done locally that has the greatest impact on you, the community members reading this article.
Local initiatives such as scholarships for high school students, cleaning up of local parks and gifts of time, talent and treasure to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations are all the foundation of the Club’s motto: “Service Above Self”
Lifer, Candace Arvin, joined the efforts of the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club in 2015 as a way to give back to the community she grew up in. Today, she brings you the Region’s Rotary Round-Up to shine a light on all the great things happening at Clubs in and around Northwest Indiana!
Here’s your Rotary Recap:
On October 11th, I had the pleasure of visiting the Crown Point Rotary at the beautiful Youche Country Club. President, Jim Cuffia, called the meeting to order and all attendees stood to recite the Pledge before bowing their heads for the invocation. A brief recap of the Club’s 13th annual “Blues, Brews & BBQ” event perfectly illustrated the importance of their service.
The purpose of the event is to raise funds for their various community projects. Some initiatives include:
Imagination Library – providing age appropriate books monthly to 300 children ages birth to 5 years old.
Shoes for Kids – partnering with local schools to identify and provide children in need with new shoes.
Rebuilding Together – providing free home modifications and repairs to make homes safer, more accessible and energy efficient for residents who are senior citizens, disabled, single parents, and/or military veterans.
Polio Eradication Worldwide – Rotarians around the world have been working to eradicate polio since 1979. Over the years, we have helped to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries! Rotary, along with our partners like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have reduced polio cases by 99.9% worldwide!
This year’s proceeds from Blues, Brews & BBQ totaled over $15,000 which will allow Crown Point Rotarians to accomplish even more throughout the upcoming year! Next, Cuffia introduced the Club’s speaker for the day, newly commissioned U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Thomas Kirsch II.
Just one day after being sworn in, Kirsch painted a picture for members, identifying some of what he hopes to accomplish throughout his tenure. Public corruption, the opioid addiction crisis and gang activity were all at the top of his list. Specifically, he spoke of reviving programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods – a nationwide commitment aimed at reducing gun and gang crime in America by networking existing local programs.
All in all, GREAT things are happening in and around the Crown Point thanks to the dedication of those who embody “service above self”.
The Crown Point Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at 12:10pm at the Youche Country Club located at 2301 West 129th Place. Interested in joining Rotary? Please visit: https://www.rotary.org/en/get-involved/join