During the Spring of 2011 we participated again with our Dictionary Project. Similar to the last several years, since starting this project in April of 2006, LR Metro members delivered over 200 dictionaries to all of the 3rd Graders at Baker, Chenal, Lawson, & Joe T. Robinson Elementary Schools.
Each book had the student's name already written in it and they are thrilled as their names are called out to receive them. To some, this is their first book to own. We also read to them, look up some of the words in their dictionaries, and then donate the book to the classroom. This type of project really gives you that satisfied feeling of having an impact on a young child's life in a very special way. We also take a few minutes to introduce them to ROTARY and what it means to be a civic volunteer and encourage them to listen to their teachers and to read often.
RT - Ready to Read
Class at Robinson with Rhea & Steve
A Literacy Project promoted by President Fant Jarrett during his 2008-09 term was to advise the speaker for each week's program that we would be donating a book to a local school or library in their name. The speaker's name is inscribed on a label inside the book along with the Four Way Test of Rotary. This project has continued on into early 2011.
The book is entitled The Apple Dumpling Gang. It is a cute book which weaves Rotary principles and ethics into the story of the book. Here is President Fant showing the book to our District Governor, Ray Keller from Jonesboro during his official annual visit.
President Fant & District Gov. Ray
Dennis Haning promotes Dental Hygiene.
One of our projects is to participate in the Healthy Smiles project of Rotary District 6150. We visit five local elementary schools that we have adopted to assist in good dental hygiene information and to deliver new tooth brushes, toothpaste, and read a book to the second grade students.
It is fun for both students & Rotarians! They get so excited - and for some this is their first toothbrush of their own. Rotarian Dennis Haning was the Chairman of this project for 2009.
Annual Christmas Project:
Each year our club adopts a family in need from Children's Hospital in Little Rock, where a child is having cancer treatment or has some other serious illness.
We then provide toys, clothes, and other presents for the entire family.
A food basket is also included to insure they have a hearty Christmas meal. This is always one of our best hands-on projects, especially when you deliver a truck full of presents to a family that was not planning on even having a Christmas that year!
Salvation Army:
We have tried over the years to support the Salvation Army in a number of ways from Bell Ringing, to working the Angel Trees, along with gift transport and cash donations.
The Angel Tree is always such a worthwhile project that the Army takes on to make sure kids have a happy Christmas.
Big Brothers..
Big Sisters..
We have supported BBBS volunteers several times over the years. In February, 2004 we formed our own team to support BBBS and were pleased to raise $ 1,830.00 for their campaign in our first year. We finished in the Top Three out of over 75 teams. We had great support and enjoyed a fun hour of bowling, trying to remember how we did this when we were younger. One of our Interactors joined us as well.
Race For The Cure:
Little Rock Metro supports the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" each year.
We are there to support the ladies in the race or the walk and for the fellowship among our members with our "Three Miles of Men".
(Have you ever tried to clap your hands for about two hours straight??)
Komen Race
CADC/ Wal-Mart/ & LR Metro
FANS For The NEEDY!
We sponsored over 113 Box Fans for the needy at a cost of $10 per Fan. We had 100% participation from our club members in this project as the Heat Index had recently been over 100 degrees.
We donated the 100+ FANS to the Central Arkansas Develpment Council on 7/30/04 at 8:30AM in the parking lot of Wal-Mart on Bowman Road, which had been our partner.
100 was our magic number to "Celebrate Rotary" as our Rotary International organization turned 100 years old on 2/23/05!
UAMS Family Home:
Little Rock Metro procured a large screen TV and VCR system for the Living Room at the UAMS Family Home as our "Centennial Project". This will give the residents something else to do during their stay at the home and while a family member is undergoing their treatment at UAMS. They will also use the system for viewing informational tapes. Shown in the middle is Robin Dean, UAMS Coordinator for the project.
Rotary Clubs Working Together:
Little Rock Metro helps to coordinate work with some of the other local Rotary Clubs in Little Rock. These projects have included:
Annual Police Awards Banquet held to honor the achievements and service of our local police force, and hosted by the Downtown Club #99.
Camp Aldersgate Fish Fry
Support for international Youth Exchanges & our Group Study Exchange Teams
RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards for high school Sophmores & Juniors
