The Rotary Club of Space Center (Houston), Texas, and U.S.A.
   Rotary International District 5890 (589)
Club 2010
Chartered August 6, 1964



 

"Service Above Self"

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular to:

• encourage Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards
• undertake projects and activities to improve life in the Club's community
• expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace
• recognize the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities, service projects, and exchange programs

The Children of the Dump in Chinandega, Nicaragua
 Donation $2,000

 Art Rascon of Channel 13 TV Station KTRK had a segment on the Children of the Dump in October which was transcribed into an article.   The Club has given over $32,000 since 2001 to the children.

Clinic Assistance to Guerrero Clinic, Mexico
Donation $1,000

We are poised to get the 2nd of two certifications from the Mexican Government that will allow the clinic to become self-sufficient financially. However, as I recently shared with you, we are not quiet there yet.  We need about $30,000 to bridge the gap between now and when we expect the certification to be in place and reimbursements from the government of Mexico to begin."

The Club has given over $13,000 to the Clinic since 2005.

Community in Schools
 Donation $5,000

Communities In Schools (CIS) – Bay Area has served the Bay Area of Greater Houston for nearly 20 years as a support to the school district's effort to reduce the student dropout rate. With funding provided by the CIS State office, Space Center Rotary, Southwestern Bell, and other private sources, the first CIS – Bay Area program began in September 1989, at League City Intermediate School under the name Bridgeport Communities In Schools.  The mission of the Communities In Schools is to champion the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people stay in school, successfully learn, and prepare for life.  The Club has given over $32,000 to the organization since 1988.

President Coney and Becky Reitz presented a check for $5,000 to Peter Wuenschel  (right), Director of Bay Area Communities in Schools at the regular Club meeting on May 9.

Engineers Without Borders
Donation $1,200

Scott Rainey presented a check for $1,200 to Kim Reed (right), President of Builders with Borders of Texas during the regular Club meeting on April 25.  The funds will be used for college scholarship programs in Carbonera Mexico.  Mr. Reed reported that the group will be going to Haiti June 4-10, and to Rio Bravo, Mexico June 22-25 with Dr. Greg Clariday to do eye surgeries.  At least $4,700 has been given since

Excellence in Education
Donation $6,795

The Excellence in Education Awards for teachers in the Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) originated by the Rotary Club of Space Center  with the first award  given in May 1991.  (Read  origin of the program by Dr. David Taylor, Club President 1994-95).  However this is only the third year the Club  participated with the Seabrook and League City Rotary Clubs for the "Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year"  awards held at the South Shore Harbour Convention Center.  After the awards dinner, the recepients are guests at a Club meeting.   Over $57,000 has been awarded to outstanding educators since 1991.

The teachers honored are known for developing positive  relationships with students, reflect on his/her teaching practices, go the extra mile for their students to be successful, serve as a positive team member who finds solutions to problems, keep open lines of communication with parents and the community, and are lifelong learners.

The Rotary Clubs of Space Center, League City, and Seabrook; and the Clear Creek Independent School District School (CCISD) hosted the third Rotary/CCISD Teacher of the Year Awards on May 16th at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center.  The convention center was filled with about 300 teachers, their families and friends, and Rotarians.  The Clear Brook Jazz Ensemble entertained the group before the program began.  Birda Gaskin, President of League City Rotary, opened the meeting and the Clear Falls Color Guard presented the U. S. Flag for the pledge of alliance.  Michael Huss, President of the Seabrook Rotary Club, gave the innovation and lead in the Four Way Test.  He also spoke about “what Rotary is not”.  President Coney gave a brief history of the Teacher of the Year Award.

Dr. Greg Smith, Superintendent of CCISD, began the program by making a few remarks and introducing the six finalists: Gwen Cash, Clear Creek High School; Tom Dinardis, Westbrook Immediate; Donna Stone, Clear Brook High School; Barbara Scott, Brookwood Elementary; Kortney Peterson, Hyde Elementary; Mishelle Azbell, Robinson Elementary.  From these finalists, Barbara Scott, Brookwood Elementary; and Donna Stone, Clear Brook High School were named the Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year respectively.  Each finalist received a plaque of appreciation and $500 each.  The Teachers of the Year received an additional $500. 

This year forty four teachers were nominated by their peers as representatives of the best in the CCISD.  A team of district administrators made the difficult task of determining six finalists.  A committee of administrators and Rotary Club representatives then selected the Elementary Teacher of the Year and the Secondary Teacher of the Year from those six finalists.

Excellence in Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Donation $4,000

Five local police officers were awarded the  Distinguished Law Enforcement Award on April 12, 1993, the first year of the program.  (Read origin of the program by Dr. David Taylor, Club President 1994-95).  The Law Enforcement Distinguished Service Award was developed by Dr. David Taylor utilizing the organizational model he developed for the excellence in teaching award.  One outstanding feature was that it was not an award for "bravery", as important as that sometimes is in law enforcement, but an award for excellence in upholding the law in a professional way and serving the community.  The criteria were: professionalism, effectiveness, community involvement, and valor.  Over $39,000 has been awarded  to outstanding Law Enforcement Officers/EMS/Fire fighters since 1993.

The 19th Excellence in Public Service Awards program was held April 18 at the regular Club meeting.  Phil Sandlin, committee chair, and his committee  presented five outstanding  honorees to the Club in the  category of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Paramedic.  Rafael Lugo introduced the first finalist, Paramedic Darryl Pell of the Clear Lake Emergency Medical Corps (CLEMC).  Paramedic Lowell Korenek of the Houston Fire Department was introduced by Marilyn Musial.  Phil Sandlin introduced Paramedic Zeno Alexander, also of Houston Fire Department, and EMT Mark Lavalle of CLEMC was introduced by Glenn Langford.  The fifth finalist, Paramedic Martin Downey of Houston Fire Department, was introduced by Kippy Caraway.

Committee Chair Sandlin recognized Paramedic Lowell Korenek of Houston Fire Department as the Space Center Rotary Paramedic/EMT of the Year.  Each finalist received $600 and a Certificate of Distinguished Service, with  the EMT/Paramedic of the year receiving a plaque and an additional $600.  Family and supervisors as well as City of  Houston Councilman, Mike Sullivan and Assistant Rotary District 5890 Governor, Chris Schneider joined the Club members in honoring these outstanding public servants.

Girl Scouts
Donation $2,000

Kippy Caraway presented $2,000 to Pam Ugalde (center, President Elect Dennard, left and Kippy Caraway, right) of the San Jacinto Girl Scouts on January 24, 2011 at the regular Club meeting.  The money is to help provide programs for two troops in the Whitcomb Elementary area.  Pam extended thanks and noted that the funding is helping grow the number of children in the program.  Last year at Whitcomb she had one troop with four girls.  This year the old troop has 10 girls, and they were able to start a new troop with 14 girls .  View one of several thank you cards received.

Hope Village
Donation $1,959

Non-profit residential homes and day program activities in the Houston area for individuals with mental retardation   Full-time residential services are available to all individuals with mental retardation who meet the admission criteria for ages six years through adulthood. Semi-private and private rooms are available and include assistance with the activities of daily living, medication administration, nutritious meals and 24-hour per day supervision and care in one of five homes on the Hope Village campus. Villagers’ families provide bedroom furniture and bed linens, bathroom linens and personal hygiene items.

Residents have the opportunity to attend church and Sunday School, dances,  movies, the circus, BBQs at the beach, Astro's baseball games and various events including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Residents may also enjoy on-campus outdoor pool during summer months and our recreation center year-round.  The Hope Village Staff provides a nurturing environment that facilitates personal growth.  Read more about Hope Village.

The Club has been involved with Hope Village for many years and continue with donations, hands on projects, and as guests at the Club meetings.  View photo.   

Space Center Rotarians and Friends built a new storage area inside the existing recreation room at Hope Village in June 2011. The new space provided Hope Village with a storage area, allowing the recreation room to be used by the residents with a variety of exercise equipment and also a space enjoy movies or music.  Rotarians built the storage area and also helped to begin the cleaning of the room and placement of the exercise equipment.  Additional photos are included in the gallery.

Interact
Donation $1,441

The Rotary International Board of Directors approved Interact, a youth program for service and international fellowship, in 1962.  The program's name combines inter, for "international," and act for "action."  It targets young men of secondary-school age.  The first Interact club is formed in Melbourne, Florida, USA.  Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18.  Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting.

Interact club has been set up in Clear Lake High School with 80 members.  The President is Sara Maben and the facility sponsor is Lucia Albano.  This year's projects are to take leadership role in the management of student volunteers at the 37th Shrimporee. Approximately 274 students worked at the event. They recently had an Interact float for the homecoming parade and used part of their budget ($846) to buy T-Shirts for their members.  Over $7,500 has been given to the Interact Club since 1992.

Interfaith Caring Ministries
 ($2,000 donated by a Club member)

Interfaith Caring Ministries was founded in 1985 by a group of citizens and local area churches concerned with the areas growing population of working poor families. Since then, Interfaith Caring Ministries has been a cornerstone in helping to fill in gaps within government social service, health, and education. There are over 25,000 working poor families in ICM’s service area. In 2008, ICM served over 4,300 families.  Read more about Interfaith Caring Ministries.  The Club has given over $26,000  to the ministries since 1986.

Meals on Wheels
Donation $2,000

President Coney and Al Ligrani presented a check for $2,000 to Rebecca Johnston (center), President of Meals on Wheels at the regular Club meeting on May 9th.  Ms. Johnston expressed appreciation, noting that the donation will provide 532 meals, or 8 days of meals for the 65-75 people they feed daily.  At least $14,000 has been given since 1982.

 Ecocina Project Oven Mexico
 Donation $2,045

$2,000 have been sent to Club Rotario De Copan

The following two emails give some insight about the project.
The Rotary Club of Copan, Honduras has extended an invitation to come down and take part in learning about, promoting and meeting with the families in the community where the Ecocinas will be distributed, thanks to Space Center Rotary's donation to them. I am thinking of going in May, and I'd love it if there is anyone else who would like to go down, too. We have been invited to speak at their Rotary club as well.

Yesterday I had a meeting with the stove factory owner to see how best to use the funds.  $2,000 will convert into 78 stoves on a basis of subsidizing 60% of the stove cost.  It would be great to get the communities involved, where our actual water source is. This will help to reduce deforesting and will help to protect this water source, and give the side benefits to the people in these communities. They are situated about a 30 minute drive from Copan over a all weather dirt road.

We can start producing the stove as soon as we have the funds and could deliver around the middle or end of February. Ecocina Project  Oven Mexico.  More information and photos about the trip.
.

Project Graduation
Donation $2,000

Project Graduation is an all-night, alcohol and drug-free party for graduating seniors and their guests. The event is held on graduation night, June 4th, from 10pm through 5am June 5th at Clear Creek and Clear Lake High Schools. The goal is to provide an evening of fun and safety on graduation night. The night features live entertainment, a hypnotist, inflatable games, a casino, food, games, great prizes, and much more. This year’s Theme is “WELCOME TO THE FINISH LINE!”. $10,000 has been given to the project 2005.

The Rotary Foundation
Donation $4,842

Over $98,000 given since 1975.



 

Rotaract
Donation $180

Noting the success of the recently formed Interact program, the Rotary International Board realized the need for a program of service, activity, and fellowship for young adults no longer of Interact age (14-18).  The name Rotaract (Rotary in Action) was selected to show the program's close affiliation with both Rotary and Interact clubs. Rotary International President Luther Hodges inaugurated Rotaract in 1968, with the Rotaract Club of University of North Carolina-Charlotte, USA, being the first club.  The club received its charter on 13 March and had 21 members. Rotaract clubs were originally open to young men and women ages 17-24. Since 1991, young adults ages 18-30 have been welcomed.  At least $2,500 has been given since 1988.

Rotary Youth Exchange
Donation $12,975

Our Club began the program in 1986.  Since 1986 there have been 31 inbound and 28 outbound students and over $74,000 given to the program.  An historical perspective on the Club's program is provided by Bob Wren, Club President 1985-86.  There are currently three outbound students and one inbound student.  See photos of current students.  At least $98,000 has been given since 1986.


 

Scholastic Scholarships
Donations $6,800

View photo gallery   of the scholars, their family, teachers, and friends

Six outstanding students from Clear Lake and Clear Brook High Schools were presented $1,000 scholarship each by  Dr. Greg Smith, Superintendent of the Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD), at the March 7, 2011 regular Club meeting.  "Our students outperform their state and national peers on the SAT by 30 to 45 points in all areas.  CCISD is home to an impressive number of National Merit Semifinalists and more than 1,200 of our high school students are currently enrolled in dual credit courses where they are simultaneously earning high school and college credit at the same time.  In other words we are leading the way in preparing our children for the 21st century." ... Dr. Greg Smith.    Read all of Dr. Smith's presentation remarks. Over $106,000 in scholastic scholarships have been awarded by the Club to outstanding students since 1971.

Service Above Self Scholarships
Donations $2,000

President Coney awarded $1,000 "Service Above Self" scholarship to two Interact students based on achieving academic excellence, exhibiting outstanding leadership in community outreach, and  actively involved in extra curricular activities in a regular Club meeting on June 6.  Read more about these two outstanding students; Sara Maben and Siddharth Arora. 

Space Center Rotary Endowment Foundation
Donation $3,500

"Therefore, this Foundation has come into existence and shall strive to nurture, encourage, and advance the development of
effective programs, activities, undertakings, and projects of a philanthropic, charitable, educational, humanitarian, and eleemosynary nature."  Excerpt from  from the Intent of the Founders of the Foundation.  Over $70,000 has been given since 1992.

A Floyd Boze Fellowship ($1,000) was given to District 5890 Governor Sunny Sharma at the regular Club meeting on September 27, 2010 in recognition of  his leadership of the District, living the ideals of Rotary, and promoting fellowship of the Rotary family.  An excerpt from his presentation challenged the Club members  "...each club to promote diversity, provide and develop leadership, and to have fun doing these things"... District Governor Sunny Sharma

Senior Citizens Valentine's Day
 Donation $900

On February 14th, the Club  sent out about 16 Rotarians, one spouse and one Rotary friend, to ensure that seniors in  four nursing homes would have a GREAT VALENTINES day. The group assembled at the  United Way on Bay Area Blvd at 9:00 am and then divided up 300 Roses with a Rotary tag attached to each rose (Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day from your friends at Space Center Rotary).  The Nursing homes visited were The Rosemont on Bay Area Blvd, Bay Wind off Egert Bay Blvd in League City, The United Way Sr. Center on Bay Area Blvd, and Regency Center in Webster Tx.  A special thank you to  Micki Czarnik who donated the stickers; Pam Culpepper Cronk, who so graciously took pictures of the Rotarians and residents; and Steve Waldner who helped with the arrangements.  Over $24,000 has been given since 1978.

Still Water Sports Camp
$3,000 (Donated by a Club member)

Still Water Sports Camp is pleased to serve Houston area youth through Christ-centered sports adventure leadership camps in the Texas Hill Country.  Our primary contact in Houston is Friendswood teacher and football coach, Mike Lindsey.  On behalf of your gift to Still Water Christian Ministries this year, we will be able to sponsor, on a sliding scale, roughly 25 kids to our summer camp for the summer of 2011 from the Houston area.  These kids will enjoy a fun-filled, sport specific, and Christian based week of camp where they will learn about the key components of leadership, sacrifice, loyalty, and team-building.  Through your gift, we will teach these children fundamental aspects of their sport as well as what it means to live an I’m 3rd life- placing God first, others second, and themselves 3rd.  We are incredibly grateful for your generosity of $3,000 on behalf of Gene Tromblee for this year’s camp season and plan to make great use of the donation investing in the lives of your greatest investment- Houston youth.

The Independence Village
 Donation $1,000

The Independence Village is a welcome option for adults with developmental  and/or physical disabilities.  The Independence Village offers room and board in a comfortable, supervised, family setting. It provides a safe home with private living quarters. Balanced meals and assistance as needed with daily responsibilities.  Independence is encouraged and community integration is promoted by maintaining an active presence in the area, holding fundraisers and participating in area events.  

Club  President Coney presented a check for $1,000 to Judy Slocumb-Farrell, Executive Director, February 28, 2011.

Volunteer Houston Commanders Summer Camp 
Donation $2,000

Volunteer Houston's summer camp teachs teenagers the importance of community service and sets their expectations to give back to the community. The donation provides for three one week long camps for students to learn and practice leadership skills and volunteering.  The Club will provide speakers at the camps to expose the kids to Rotary and it's values.   See  some of the commanders and read more about the program.