By: John O'Connor


We are assessing interest in getting a group together to assist The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio with assembling pre-cut furniture in late May or June. No woodworking knowledge is needed for this 3-hour activity.

The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio provides furniture to families and individuals struggling with severe life challenges such as homelessness or domestic violence. They are located on Yale Avenue, West of downtown Columbus.

The dates/ times we are considering are:

• Friday, May 31, 10 AM to 1 PM
• Friday, June 14, 9 AM to 12 PM
• Friday, June 21, 9 AM to 12 PM
• Friday, June 28, 9 AM to 12 PM

Want to help?

Please contact John O’Connor at either 614-397-5897 (cell/text) or jcmo1953@gmail.com to let him know which times/dates you are available so he can compile a list to determine the most popular day. We will need to have at least 5 people attend in order to schedule a session. Please note that as of today, the four dates listed above are available; however any or all of those specified dates could be taken by other volunteer groups within the next few days. So contact John as soon as possible if you are interested! It's super fun!


David Case and Mary Chandler add support to a table using power tools!



Craig Watterson adds a leg to a coffee table.


The building crew with their stack of finished coffee tables. (Angela Sillus, Craig Watterson, Leigh Hollins, David Case and Mary Chandler)



 

By: Angela Sillus
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club honored two employees of the Westerville City School District for their outstanding dedication to our local students.


Our April 2024 recipient of a Service to Youth award was Christine Livingston, Intervention Specialist at McVay Elementary School. Christine has been a light at McVay for many years in a few different positions and is one of the first employees in and often the last out each day. She sees the best in every child and always focuses on their strengths. She makes herself available to find resources and ideas to better support her students’ needs. She shows the students how to be the best versions of themselves.


Our award winner for May 2024 was Kelly Wurth, Intervention Specialist at Genoa Middle School. Kelly is a vital member of the Special Education Team at Genoa Middle School and is willing to help students in any way she can. She is able to speak up for her students when they are unable to communicate, and often stays after school to take her students to functions, staying in constant contact with parents. In addition, she co-founded a coffee-making group to teach Special Education students life skills.

Each of our award recipients received an engraved plaque, as well as a gift card and box of cookies from Kroger. They are invited to join the May 15^th Rotary Club breakfast and will be honored with a flag at The Field of Heroes event Memorial Day Weekend 2024.
 

By: James T. Caldwell


The Mental Health First Aid Class offered by Mental Health America of Ohio will be held on Saturday May 18 from 8:30 until 3:30 at WARM.

We need to know who is attending by Friday April 27.

We need 20 people to hold the class. Currently we have 3 people who have committed.

Please let Jim Caldwell know if you will be attending. You can contact him at jtcfms@aol.com or 614-361-6631.

 

What happens to the money you donate to the Rotary Foundation?  That depends on how you allocated your donation!

1.  If you selected Polio Plus, or Global Grants, or any specific area to support, then the money goes to that area or fund. 
2. If you selected Annual Fund-SHARE, then the money has a more interesting path 

Annual Fund-SHARE donations are invested for 3 years, and the gains on those investments help pay for day to day operations of the Foundation.  After 3 years, the money is divided into 3 sections: 

• 47.5% goes to the Global fund, which supports global grants, like polio plus, etc.
• 5% goes to administrating the grants and
• 47.5% goes BACK to the District that donated it. 

 What that means, is that if Westerville Sunrise members donate $10,000 to the Rotary Foundation in 2022-2023  AND designate it for Annual Fund-SHARE, 3 years later (2025-2026) $4,750 will return to the District.  Westerville Sunrise can then apply to use those funds for service projects. 

To learn more,  Click HERE

 

By: Mary T. Chandler

Rotary volunteers strengthen our community in many ways. One Saturday per quarter we sort and box food at the WARM warehouse at 150 Heatherdown Drive from 10 am to noon. We still have three scheduled Saturdays in 2024

• June 8
• September 7
• November 9

We invite you to join in on the fellowship and fun. Feel free to invite your family, friends, and prospective Rotarians to join us too. A sign-up website will be available in the coming weeks. For more information, please contact Mary Chandler at (614) 523-0437. 

By: Chris Herbert
Make a difference for homeless youth at Star House by helping prepare or serve a family meal. Westerville Sunrise Rotary, in partnership with our friends in the noon club, hosts a Family Dinner once a month on Mondays. Our remaining Mondays in 2024 will be:

• April 22
• May 20
• June 24
• July 22
• August 26
• September 23
• October 28
• November 18
• December 16

We need 4 or more people to serve food, and many more to help prepare the meal. Starting in March, we will offer two shifts: 4:00 - 5:30 pm for set up and serving, and 5:00 - 6:30 pm for serving and clean-up. You may sign up for both shifts if you would like.

Please use the sign-up link below to cook or serve family dinner at Star House:

• April 22
• May 20

By: Michael Herron


 

By: Julie Ann Colley

Save the Date! Upcoming Events

May 16:  Board meeting
May 18: Mental Health First Aid Workshop
May 20: Star House Dinner
May 24-27: Field of Heroes
June 8:  WARM
June 24: Star House Dinner
June 26: Installation of new officers