|
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
Keeping with the Object of Rotary, the Rotary Club
of Space Center has selected the following
local community and international service projects for the
Rotary year 2012-13. The budgeted amount and/or the actual
expenditure is stated below the title. Also a
brief description of each project and how the donation
was used follows. Some of the projects are in partnership
with other Rotary clubs to facilitate
a greater outreach of service.
2012-13
Service
Projects
Texas A & M Aerospace
Scholars
Donation
$500
President Musial presented Veronica
Seyl
a check for $500 at the regular Club
meeting on June 24, 2013.
Alzheimer
Association
Donation
$1,000
President Elect Sheryl Berg
presented Noga
Tobias of
the Alzheimer's Association a
check for $1,000 at the regular Club meeting on May 13,
2013.
Bay Area
Charter Schools
Donation
$1,000
President
Musial presented Dr. Rosalind
Perez, Superintendent Bay Area Charter Schools, a
check for $1,500 for
Bay Area Charter
Schools.
Bay Area
Alliance
Donation
$600President Musial presented Amanda McLauchlin, Bay Area
Alliance for Youth and Families, with a check for $600.
Bay Area Turning Point
Donation
$1,500
Bay Area Turning Point,
Inc.
(BATP)
is a non-profit; community based social service agency providing
a variety of assistance services, including shelter, to
families in need and community education/crime prevention
activities in the Greater Bay Area and surrounding areas. The mission
of BATP is to provide recovery solutions services for
survivors of family violence and sexual assault and
facilitate violence prevention strategies for societal change in
partnership with our community. The Club donated $5,000 to help
build the original facility in 1992. Over $13,000 has been given since
1992.
At a regular
Club meeting on June 24, 2013,
Lisa
Smith
, (right)
Development Director, Bay Area Turning Point (BATP), was
presented a check for $1,500 from President
Musial.
Bay Area Council of the
Blind
Donation
$500
President Musial presented Belinda
Skloss a check for $500 at the
regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Space Center on June 24,
2013.
Be An Angel
Donation $1,000
President Musial
presented Katie Kasprzak a
check for $1,000 at the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of
Space Center on February 25, 2013. Kasprzak
noted "The money will be used for camp for 39
families, all with special needs children ranging from autism
and down syndrome to medically fragile and wheel chair bound.
They zip-lined, rode horses, canoed, fished and painted family
flags". Visit web site.
Bronze
Eagles
Donation $1,500
President Musial presented Darryl
Smith a check for $1,500 at
the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Space Center for the
Bronze Eagles
on June
24, 2013.
Center for Autism and
Developmental Disabilities
Donation
$1,000
President Musial presented a check
for $1,000 at the regular Club meeting on February 11,
2013 to UHCL Professor Dorothea C.
Lerman
(center) for the
Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at
UHCL.
The Center is composed of faculty and students in the
Behavior Analysis, School Psychology, and Early Childhood
Education graduate programs. The money will be used to
purchase educational games. Read thank you letter
from William
A. Staples, President of UHCL.
Communities in
Schools
Donation $5,000
Communities In
Schools (CIS) – Bay Area has served the Bay Area of Greater
Houston for nearly 24 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 $41,000
to the organization since 1988.
President Musial (left)
symbolically presented Angela Jenkins, Communities in
Schools, Bay Area, a check for
$5,000 at the
39th Shrimporee on October 20, 2012 and officially at the
regular Club meeting on
January 7 to Peter Wuenschel, Executive Director. Read article
in Bay Area
Citizen.
Cross Roads at Park Place Inc.
Donation $1,000
President Musial
presented Margo Montgomery, Director of Cross Roads
at Park Place, the Club's donation at
the regular Club meeting on September 10,
2012.
CROSSROADS at Park Place, Inc., a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is a joint endeavor of Park
Place United Methodist Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,
and Glenbrook United Methodist Church. Along with meeting the physical needs
of our clients, CROSSROADS AT PARK PLACE affirms that
all people should enjoy dignity and self-worth, recognizing
that this must also include our neighbors who have
no physical address. It is the only homeless shelter
between downtown Houston and Galveston. The homeless population represents
a community of worth—one that is worthy of our respect
and compassion. By providing our services, CROSSROADS allows
our neighbors to care for themselves, to be informed and
proactive. The Club members have also provided over
600 pounds of clothing, shoes, and blankets to the
organization.
EarlyAct FirstKnight (EAFK)
Donation $10,000
The Club initiated the
first EAFK
program in Clear Creek
Independent School District (CCISD), with its first program
kicked off on October 16 at Whitcomb Elementary, Webster,
Texas. The Club's Rotarians were excited about this unique
service opportunity to work with the students to learn the
importance of citizenship, responsibility, self-discipline,
confidence, perseverance, respect, honesty, compassion,
friendliness, "Service Above Self" in the classroom, justice,
loyalty, defense, generosity, courage, faith, humility,
nobility, and integrity. Jousting, Knighting
Ceremonies plus students learn importance of citizenship,
responsibility, self-discipline, confidence, perseverance,
respect, honesty, compassion, friendliness & more. EVERY
school day, EVERY student recites Rotary's 4-Way Test !
More than a student service
club participated in by a few, EAFK is a daily, mandatory
course of study for each child, starting with the first day of
Kindergarten. Sponsored by Rotary Clubs, EarlyAct FirstKnight
is a year-round character and service education program for
elementary and middle schools that, for the first time ever,
puts Rotary into mainstream public education every
day.
President Musial
(left) symbolically presented Mark Smith (center),
Principle of CCISD Whitcomb Elementary, a check for $10,000
at the 39th Shrimporee on October 20,
2012.
Ecocina Project Stove
Honduras
Donation
$5,500
Space Center Rotary Club
donated $2,000 to the project in Rotary year 2010-11.
The Club will fund $3,000 this year and District 5890 has
approved a grant for an addition $2,500, which will also be
used this year. This will help provide 220 new stoves
made of concrete and pumice for the program. The stoves help
reduce burns and smoke inhalation as well help in reducing
deforestation which helps preserve the water sources.
Read more.
Excellence in Education
Donation
$4,500
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 fifth 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. Almost $80,000 has been awarded to outstanding
educators since 1991.
The Rotary Clubs of Space Center, League
City, and Seabrook; and the Clear Creek Independent School
District School (CCISD) hosted the fifth Rotary Teacher of
the Year Awards
on May 20th at the South
Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center (this was the 23nd
year for the Excellence in Education Award for the Club).
The convention center was filled with about 275 teachers,
their families and friends, and Rotarians. The Westbrook
Intermediate School Orchestra entertained the group before the
program began and played the National Anthem at the
presentation of the U. S. and Texas flags. Marilyn
Musial, President Rotary Club of Space Center, opened the
meeting and the Clear Springs High School Color Guard
presented the U. S. and Texas flags. Officers of the
Seabrook and League City Rotary Clubs lead in the Four Way
Test and gave a brief history of Rotary International.
All the recipients were recognized before the six finalists
were named by members of the three Rotary Clubs.
Dr. Greg Smith, Superintendent of CCISD,
began the program by making a few remarks, and then
introducing the CCISD Trustees, and the Teacher Of Year
selection committee, and the six finalists: Jillian Howard,
C.D. Landolt Elementary; Andrea Donovan-Hull, Sandra Mossman
Elementary; Kathryn Hoffman, James H. Ross Elementary; Betty
McCulloch, Clear Creek Intermediate; Shannon Simonds, Clear
Falls High School; and Matthew Thomas, Clear Springs High
School. See group (2) photos.
From these finalists Jillian Howard,
C.D. Landolt Elementary and Betty McCulloch, Clear
Creek Intermediate 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. Read more
about the selection and award process.
Excellence in Law Enforcement and Public
Safety
Donation
$5,250
Five local police officers
were awarded the Distinguished Law Enforcement Award 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 Club member 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 $49,000 has been awarded to outstanding Law
Enforcement Officers/EMS/Fire fighters since 1993.
The
21st Excellence in Public Service Awards program was held May
6. 2013 at the regular Club meeting. Constable Phil Sandlin,
committee chair, and his committee presented five outstanding
honorees to the Club. The firefighters
were Jack Bridges, Houston
Fire Department; Robert Suniga, Kemah Fire Department; Fred
Spencer, Webster Fire Department; Thomas Cones, Houston Fire
Department; and Dustin Blue, Kemah Fire Department. Fred
Spencer received the Firefigther of the Year Award.
Each fire fighter received a Certificate of Distinguished
Service Award, a brass inscribed paper weight,
and a monetary award. Firefigther Spencer
also received a pictured
plaque.
Friends of League City Animal
Shelter
Donation $1,000
MISSION STATEMENT:
Friends of League City Animal Shelter is a 501(c)3 nonprofit
organization whose purpose is to increase the number of
adoptions to qualified homes, to recruit and train additional
foster home caregivers for animals pending adoption, to
promote the spaying and neutering of animals, and to provide
volunteer assistance and funding to the League City Animal
Shelter to support the humane care and treatment of
animals.
President
Musial (left) presented Monica
Millican with a check for $1,000 for the
Friends of League City Animal Shelter at the March 11, 2013
regular Club meeting.
Guerrero Eye
Clinic
Donation
$2,000
President Musial presented Walter
Branson,
Director, Guerrero Surgery and Education Center,
Guerrero, Mexico a check for $2,000. This brings the
total amount given since 2005 to
$16,000.
Honduras Household
Water Treatment, Sanitation and Hygiene
Project
Trojes, Honduras
Global Grants 26282 and
26283
Donation $5,000
President Musial presented Susan
Galanski, (right)
on the behalf of Stan
Galanski, a check for $5,000 for the Club’s part in the
Rotary Global Grants 26282 and 26283, Household Water
Treatment, Sanitation and Hygiene Project in Trojes, Honduras.
Five month fund-raising effort secured $130,000 in District
and Club donations across the US, Honduras, and Brazil.
The project deploys bio-sand filters and latrines to 1700
people in 10 communities. This brings the total amount
given for water type grants to over
$49,000.
Interfaith Caring
Ministries
Donation $2,000
Susan Bailey
(center), Communications and Special Events
Coordinator, was presented a check from President Musial
for $1,500 at the regular Club meeting on March 18. 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. They recognized a need
for an alliance that would allow them to screen clients for
need and offer services on a consistent basis. 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 2011, ICM served approximately 4,000
families. Read more about Interfaith Caring
Ministries. See thank you note 1, note
2. The Club
has given over $30,000 to the Ministries since 1986.
Bay Area Meals on
Wheels
Donation $4,000
Bay Area Meals on Wheels is an all-volunteer
organization, chartered in 1982 under the Texas Non-Profit
Corporation Act, with an approved tax-exempt status from the
Internal Revenue Service. They do not request or
receive funds from the Interfaith Ministries or the United
Way.
Since 1982, they
have delivered hot meals and sack lunches each year to an
average of 62 shut-in and/or medically dependent clients,
5 days per week, thanks primarily to financial contributions
from the local community and the dedicated volunteers who run
the entire program from a Board of Directors to volunteer
drivers. President Musial presented Rebecca Johnston
for Bay Area
Meals on Wheels a check for $4,000 at the April 1, 2013
regular Club meeting. Read more. Read thank
you note.
Project Graduation
Donation $1,000
President Marilyn
Musial presented Teresa
Black
of Clear Lake High School (CLHS) 2013 Project
Graduation a $1,000 from the Space Center Rotary Club at
the regular Club meeting April 1, 2013.
Project Graduation’s purpose is to provide a
safe, substance free all-night party for the Class of 2013
immediately following their June 3 graduation ceremony.
Traditionally the party is attended by an overwhelming
majority of all CLHS graduating seniors. Project Graduation is
a committee composed of parent volunteers, primarily parents
of seniors, who organize and raise funds for the all-night
graduation celebration, which is also known as Project
Graduation.
The
celebration is financed by fundraisers and generous donations
by community corporate partners and families. The goal is to permit the
2013 graduates to attend the event at a nominal charge and to
provide door prizes that are distributed throughout the event
as an incentive to keep the seniors at the party all night
long.
$12,000 has been given to the project since 2005.
Scholarships
Donation $9,800
Dr. Greg
Smith, Superintendent of the Clear
Creek Independent School District, introduced 4 finalists
and Dr. Rosiland Perez of Bay Area Charter Schools 2 finalists
for the high school scholarships at the regular Club meeting
on December 12. The students were Jacob Arend, Clear Brook;
Kevin Cyr, Clear Brook; Nicholas Morciolaro, Clear Lake; Rishi
Suresh, Clear Lake; Nancy Martin, Ed White Memorial; and
Allison Rankin, Ed White Memorial. Each received a
$1,500 cash scholarship. Belinda Skloss was the
selection committee chair and J. B. Fox, Lou Gaigher, and Mike
Cornett committee members. See photo.
The Club provided
scholarships of fifteen hundred dollars each to six
seniors in the Bay Area. The student must meet the
following qualifications:
1. Be in good standing with the
school
2. Maintain a B grade point
average
3. Be a participant in the Interact
Club
4. One hundred hours of Community
Service
5. Attend the
Shrimporee
Over $132,000 in scholastic scholarships
have been awarded by the Club to outstanding students since
1971.
The Rotary Foundation
Donation
$2,000
President Musial presented David
Coney
(right), Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Committee, a check
for $2,000 at the regular Club meeting on April 15,
2013. Over $104,000 has been given
since 1975.
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE)
Donation
$10,000
The most powerful force in
the promotion of international understanding and peace is
exposure to different cultures. The world becomes a smaller,
friendlier place when we learn that all people - regardless of
nationality - desire the same basic things: a safe,
comfortable environment that allows for a rich and satisfying
life for ourselves and our children. Youth Exchange provides
thousands of young people with the opportunity to meet people
from other lands and to experience their cultures, thus
planting the seeds for a lifetime of international
understanding. Read more.
Our Club began the program
in 1986. Since 1986 there have been 36 inbound and 32 outbound
students and over $120,000 given to the program. An historical
perspective on the Club's program is
provided by Bob Wren, Club President 1985-86. There are
currently two outbound students and two inbound
students.
Second
Chance Pets
Donation
$500
President Musial presented Monica
Millican
a
check for $500 at the regular Club meeting on June 24, 2013
for Second
Chance Pets.
Senior Citizens Valentine's Day
Donation $968
On February 14th, the
Club sent out 15 Rotarians and friends 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 8:30 am
and then divided up 375 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 Senior Center
on Bay Area Blvd, and Regency Village in Webster TX. A special
thanks to Jerry Smith and Rena
Deitrich who made the arrangements. Over $26,000 has been
given since 1978. See photo gallery.
Shelter Box
Donation
$2,000
President Musial presented Phil
Harris, (not present)
a check for $2,000 at the regular Club
meeting on June 24, 2013 for Shelter
Box.
Space Center Rotary
Endowment Foundation
Donation $2,000
"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 the
Intent of the Founders of the Foundation.
President Musial presented President of the Space Center
Rotary Endowment Foundation Bob Wren a check for
$2,000 on February 4, 2013. Over $72,000 has been given
by the Club since 1992.
A Floyd Boze Fellowship
($1,000) was given to District 5890 Governor Chris
Schneider at the regular Club meeting on February 4,
2013 in recognition of his leadership of the District,
living the ideals of Rotary, and promoting fellowship of the
Rotary family.
Tee Time
For Autism
Donation $1,100
President Musial presented
Brian and
Alice Ellis a
check for $1,200 at the regular Club meeting on June 24, 2013
for Tee Time For
Autism.
YMCA
Donation $5,000
The E.A. Smith Family YMCA has been
strengthening children, families and communities in the Clear
Lake Area since 1964. We thank the Space Center Rotary for
their generous contribution and for their collaboration with
the EA Smith Family YMCA in increasing the safety of local
youth noted Lengefeld. The Club has been involved with many of
the local YMCA's since 1969, donating over $51,000 to various
programs and building funds.
President Musial
(left) symbolically presented Dick Kidder (center), Board
Director of the E. A. White Family YMCA and Executive
Director, Rosemary Lengefeld (right) a check for $5,000
at the 39th Shrimporee on October 20, 2012. Read thank
you note
from the YMCA.
|
