Each Rotary club is actively involved in a number of projects, either through active participation or the awarding of grants.
These projects fall into 3 broad categories:
Community Service which cover the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community.
International Service which encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary's humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace.
Community Grants awarded annually to not for profit organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties to help them meet the needs of their charters. Monies for the grants are raised through various fund raisers, our primary one being the Suncoast Winefestival. For more information and to apply for a grant click here.
During the past year the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch has been involved in the following Community Service Projects:
District Dictionary Day (click here to learn more)
Manatee County Adopt a Highway program
In cooperation with Keep Manatee Beautiful, Inc., The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch participates in the Adopt-A-Road Program. We volunteer to adopt a section of road within our community and conduct litter and trash cleanups at least four times annually, including the Great American Cleanup and Florida Coastal Cleanup. This effort on our part gives the public a sense of community pride and awareness of the importance of litter prevention.
We remove approximately 30 bags of trash and litter from Lorraine Road between University Parkway and State Road 70.
Santa Shoe Box program sponsored by the Herald Tribune
Each year at Christmas time our members bring a bit of cheer in a very unique way to children and seniors in need here in our community. Ordinary shoe boxes are filled with new gifts like small toys, stuffed animals, dolls, cars, school supplies, T-shirts, socks, sealed hard candy. Senior gift boxes include: calendars, socks, slippers, nail clippers, polish, files, brushes, combs, mirrors, magazines, books, lotions, scented soaps, potpourri. Then the boxes are decorated with colorful holiday gift paper, ribbons and bows and brought to The Herald-Tribune for distribution. It's just one more way The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch reaches out to those less fortunate in our community.
Our International Service project have included:
Rotary International Water Projects
Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch supports Rotary International's commitment to addressing the complex issue of access to clean water faced by some 1.1 billion people worldwide. Recognizing the vital importance of safe water, Rotary International policy encourages all Rotary districts and clubs to support efforts which help people to provide themselves with safe water. The safe water projects are to be reasonably close to homes using simple sustainable technology. This policy is reflected in projects of all sizes in all parts of the world.
Think Caribbean Satellite Phone Project
The Rotary Club of Lakwood Ranch, as part of District 6960, will participate in this satellite telephone project to help some of our neighbors who continually suffer during hurricane damage. This project has been adopted by District 6960 to supply satellite telephones to Districts 7000, 7020, and 7030 and a few areas within the mainland areas. These phones will be used by the Caribbean Rotarians in those affected areas to communicate their immediate needs due to major disasters.
ShelterBox USA(Click here to learn more)
Ambassadorial Scholar Program
Lei Ling, a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from XI’AN, Peoples Republic of China and sponsored by District 6960 arrived on August 16TH, 2006. Lei Ling attended The Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota for the academic year 2006-2007. She studied Art History, Museum Art and Museum Economics. Back home, she is employed as Director of Arts at the Tang Dynasty Art Museum in XI’AN.
Lei Ling was one of a few, if not the first, Ambassadorial Scholars from mainland China. The first two Rotary Clubs in China were chartered in May of 2006. The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch was the sponsoring club and PDG Jerry Hearn and his wife Denise were her hosts and advisors.
In addition to her academic studies, Lei Ling also served as an Ambassador from her country by visiting as many Rotary Clubs in our District and attending meetings and seminars, as her schedule permitted. She also participated in various Rotary assemblies and conferences.
To learn more about the R.I. Ambassadorial Scholars Program follow this link:
http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/index.html
Content Copyright © 2006-2007 Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Florida USA
