Home Page | Rotary Club of Kittanning

Welcome To Our Club

Service Above Self

We meet Mondays at 12:00 PM
Richard G. Snyder YMCA Campus

1150 North Water Street
Kittanning, PA 16201
United States of America

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Venue Map

Day of Giving 2020

DAY (WEEK) of GIVING 2020 IS ONE WEEK AWAY!!!!!

July 13^th – 17^th, 2020

Please help us raise more money by making a donation for the

Day of Giving, July 13^th – 17^th, 2020.

Two options for making your donation*

Write a check payable to Kittanning Rotary Club
- Mail it to the Kittanning Rotary Club, PO Box 569, Kittanning, PA 16201 OR
- Mail it to Day of Giving, PO Box 895, Kittanning, PA 16201.
Check must be dated anytime from July 13^th through July 17^th
Make an Online Donation one of two ways:
1. The Community Foundation has set-up an online option for all of the participating nonprofit organizations located on our website www.servingtheheart.org.
  -click on Day of Giving at the top of the homepage
  -click on the Make a Donation tab
  -complete the form and choose the Kittanning Rotary Club OR
2. You may contribute directly through our website: www.kittanningrotaryclub.com

Using your PayPal account:

1. Enter our e-mail address: Kittanningrotaryclub@gmail.com

2. Enter your donation amount

3. Enter note: 2020 Day of Giving

Online Giving: Donations must be made between July 13^th through July 17^th.

* Please see complete rules & guidelines for eligible donations at www.servingtheheart.org

Canine Waste Receptacles

On Friday, June 12th the Club installed two Canine Waste Receptacles in Riverfront Park. Thanks to a Rotary District 7280 Matching Grant, the Club secured the funds to make this purchase possible. Thank you to all Club Members who assisted in this project.

Lemons Into Cash

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Annual Folk Festival being cancelled this year, we are replacing our fun and productive lemonade stand with a two week on- line fundraiser...Turn Lemons into Cash!!

Please consider a donation either on-line or by check. One of our Rotary members will match your donation 100% if it is received before July 1, 2020.

The goal is to raise $3,000 by July 1, 2020. Please consider sponsoring several servings of lemonade or a bushel or a peck of lemons.

This will support our Rotary club which does amazing community services including: Local scholarships, funding purchasing masks for ACMH, building bus shelters, supporting the trails to trails, funding blessings in a back-pack and food programs during the virus Habitat for Humanity and Shelter Boxes for disaster relief areas.

You can Donate (an equivalent to the number of lemons below):

$10 = 2 servings of our wonderful lemonade

$50 = a peck of Lemons

$100 = a bushel of Lemons

Remember all donations are matched 100%

If you have a Paypal account you can donate on-line today by clicking:

https://www.paypal.com/us/signin

1. Enter our email address: kittanningrotaryclub@gmail.com

2. Enter your donation amount

3. Enter the note: Turn Cash into Lemons

To donate by check:

Make check payable to: Kittanning Rotary Club and put "Lemons into Cash" in the memo section and mail to:

Kittanning Rotary Club

PO Box 569

Kittanning, PA 16201

Thank you in advance for your support!!

Rotary Year-End Meeting

Yesterday, June 30, 2020 the Club held our Year-End Meeting at Community Park in Kittanning Boro, picnic style. The evening was well attended and fun was had by all. The festivities included our 2020 Scholarship recipients, volunteers from Habitat for Humanity, Leechburg Club Members, as well as our outgoing (Ken Fleeson) and incoming (Beth Marshall) 7280 District Governors. The evening also consisted of celebrating outgoing Club President Colby Owen and welcoming incoming Club President Jennifer Vensel, in addition to initiating a new Club Member (Ryan Sprankle) and the 2020-2021 Club Board Members. As we look back at the 2019-2020 Rotary Year, we thank Colby and Ken for their leadership and we look ahead to the 2020-2021 Rotary Year as Jennifer and Beth are set to lead us.

Face Shields Donation

Last Thursday, May 21 the Club delivered 120 Face Shields to the ACMH Hospital for use in care during the current COVID-19 pandemic. These are much needed shields for safety and confidence in care. Thank you to our local manufacturer Bergad Specialty Foams for adapting and helping to contribute to the current health crisis. Pictured from (L-R) Nichole Gearaci, ACMH Hospital Chief Operating Officer, John Lewis, ACMH Hospital President and CEO, Janis Reeves, Executive Director of Nursing, Rotarians Bobbi Jo Kutch, Jennifer Vensel, Mike Daugherty, and Colby Owen.

Keystone Rotary E-Club Project

Below is a message from the Keystone E-Club and there is an attachment from them as well. This is in reference to a project that they are doing right now. On May 4 Shedrack Domingo from Tanzania joined our Club and spoke about this project. Now is a great time to show others what Rotary is doing in our community and throughout the world. Here is a link to our PPT video https://drive.google.com/open?id=17FQWpONxjRE6TxJiBjS-cFUrQda0RGB

Rotary International - COVID-19

In every corner of the world, it seems that not a single person or community is unaffected by COVID-19. You may be wondering how to stay focused on our work eradicating polio when we are dealing with a pandemic caused by a virus for which there is not yet a vaccine — a situation similar to what the world faced with the poliovirus not so long ago.

The COVID-19 pandemic response requires worldwide solidarity and an urgent global effort. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), with thousands of polio workers and an extensive laboratory and surveillance network, has a moral imperative to ensure that these resources are used to support countries in their preparedness and response.

We can be proud that in the ever-connected world of global health, the polio infrastructure that Rotarians have helped build is already being used to address — and stop the spread of — the new coronavirus, in addition to serving countless other health needs. In Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, where polio personnel and assets have a significant presence, workers from all GPEI partners are engaged in surveillance, health worker training, contact tracing, and more. In 13 countries, polio volunteers have been deployed to address COVID-19 preparations and response.

We recognize that the COVID-19 emergency means that some aspects of the polio eradication program will be affected. While addressing the new challenges of today, the most important thing that Rotary members can do to continue the fight to end polio is to sustain our commitment. We are aiming to reach our fundraising goal of $50 million this year so we can work to safely reach all children with the polio vaccine. In the midst of a global pandemic, we understand that attention to polio eradication will be diverted, and this makes it all the more vital for Rotarians to remain strongly committed to fighting polio and not let our progress be eroded.

Weekly Zoom Meetings

Join us weekly!! See below for the zoom meeting information we will use for the foreseeable future. This is scheduled to occur every Monday at noon until we are able to meet in person again. You will be able to use this same dial in/log in information for each Monday meeting so please save this information.

Topic: Weekly Rotary Meetings

Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Every week on Monday, until further notice:

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Weekly: https://zoom.us/meeting/tZAqcOGupzwq-HHA1yPNLlmKg3d2k-vwLw/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGsqTwiHN2SsF3tc7cqOav4buH2kzxmgoIMhS_LLyxeSQSlMrBJf6RoPM-B

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/847786970?pwd=dWVKbmV4KzBTVWF3MW9qSmxPbmpGUT09

Meeting ID: 847 786 970

Password: 044576

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,847786970#,,#,044576# US (Chicago)

+19292056099,,847786970#,,#,044576# US (New York)

Dial by your location

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 253 215 8782 US

+1 301 715 8592 US

Meeting ID: 847 786 970

Password: 044576

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acfRECrWdN

COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic we as a World are currently living through, we will be postponing all physical location Club Meetings until it is safe to meet in person again. All speakers will be notified and will be rescheduled once we can resume normal weekly meetings. We are putting together a Zoom Meeting link that beginning April 6th we can begin to meet again remotely. We will provide additional updates as they are available. Until then stay healthy and please continue to pray for our World and those affected.

2nd Grade Reading

On Tuesday, March 3 Club Members and Community Volunteers went into all 2nd Grade Classrooms in the Armstrong School District and read the book, "Rosie Revere, Engineer." The books were then donated to each school's library for the students to check out as they wish. Thank you to the Armstrong School District for assisting in this annual Literacy project. Pictured below are Club Members Mike McElhaney, reading to a 2nd Grade Class at Shannock Valley Elementary, and Andy Bradigan, reading to a 2nd Grade Class at West Hills Primary. Thank you to the Club Members and Volunteers who took the time out of their busy schedules to read to the students.

Habitat House

Our program today was a local family who recently qualified for their new home, made possible by Habitat for Humanity. Pictured here with the family is Executive Director of Armstrong Habitat for Humanity and Club Member, Mike McElhaney. The real program however was the speech given by Thomas (far right). Thomas was born with Ataxia and his dream is to become a motivational speaker. His speech to the Club today was a "practice run" and he nailed it! Way to go Thomas!! Thank you for teaching us that nothing is impossible if you believe in your dreams.

End Polio Now

There has been recent traction and momentum in the effort to eradicate Polio. The Rotary Foundation, along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, continue the fight to end this terrible disease worldwide. Click on the link below for additional information.

http://msgfocus.rotary.org/q/12Gunet2tI9KfDopjbQb2Giq/wv

Paul Harris Fellow +1

At our February 3, 2020 meeting, former Club Member and Past Club President Herm Krummert was invited to attend to accept his Paul Harris Fellow +1 award and pin. This award is given to those who have donated $2,000 to the Rotary Foundation. Current Club President Colby Owen is pictured here presenting Herm with his award. Thank you to Herm for supporting the Rotary Foundation over the years!!

World Affairs Students

At our January 13th meeting, the Club hosted this year's World Affairs Students. These three young leaders from our communities, all Seniors, attended the all-day leadership workshop where they brainstormed individually and as a group on this year's topic: Global Sustainability. The students shared their experiences with the Club and expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to attend. Pictured from left to right are: Seth Beck from Armstrong High School, Laurie Enders from Armstrong High School, and Jenna Miller from West Shamokin High School. Thank you to the students for their time and willingness to join us.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

On Wednesday, December 11th Rotary Club Members assisted the Salvation Army with its Annual Red Kettle Bell Ringing at the Kittanning Wal-Mart. Pictured here are Club Members Jennifer Vensel and Chris King. Thank you to all Rotarians who volunteered their time to help out with this annual driver.

Albania Earthquake Relief

Albania Earthquake Relief

Albania, a country situated in Southeastern Europe, was struck by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake at 3:54 AM CET on November 26th, 2019. More than 1,000 aftershocks have been recorded since the earthquake. The City of Durres and the village of Thumanë are the most affected.

- Two hotels and two apartment blocks collapsed in Durrës.

- Four buildings, including a five-storey apartment block, collapsed in Kodër-Thumanë.

- 51 people lost their lives (to date)

- Close to 1,000 people were injured (to date)

- Thousands have been left homeless

Tents have been set up in large, open spaces such as soccer fields to provide shelter to those affected, and close to 2,000 people have been placed in various cities across neighboring Kosovo. However, two days after the earthquake, Durrës was hit by a storm and more rain is expected to come. It is now imperative to accommodate everyone in shelters that are more durable than the current tents. Rescue crews with specialized equipment, sniffer dogs, and emergency supplies have made their way to Albania to assist with search and rescue efforts as there are still people believed to be caught under the rubble.

District 7280 Rotary Keystone E-Club is comprised of members from the USA, Kosovo, Canada, Africa, and New Zealand. The news of the earthquake hit home for many people in our club. As a club, we rallied immediately to explore ways to help Albania and we have launched a fundraising campaign. We would like to extend a friendly invitation to our fellow Rotarians to join us in our efforts to support those affected, as Albania faces a long road to reconstruction.

To support the fundraiser, please follow the link (and feel free to pass it around): https://keystonerotaryclub.org/albania-earthquake-relief-fund/

If you prefer to contribute to the fundraiser through checks, you can make them payable to Keystone Rotary Club and mail to our Club President, Darla Motta, 2580 Holiday Ave, Zebulon, NC 27597.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach us at: KeystoneRotaryEClub@gmail.com or call/text Darla at 724-458-8822.

Thank you for your support and generosity,

District #7280 Rotary Keystone E-Club

Fire Simulator Demonstration

This week, members of West Hills Emergency Services hosted boys and girls from Scout Troop 670, along with members and families of the Kittanning Rotary Club to demonstrate a newly acquired fire safety simulator. The simulator was purchased through a grant from the Kittanning Rotary Club, and allows the department to teach fire safety with a hands on approach, making it a more memorable experience. After a lesson by West Hills Emergency Services safety officer Joel Boguslawski, on common household fire hazards, what to do in the event of a fire, and stressing how important it is to “Get out and stay out if you are in a fire,” each child was able to try their hand at extinguishing fires using the simulator and a fire nozzle. The lessons continued with reminders to ensure that smoke detectors are installed in their homes, and that the batteries are changed twice a year. Additionally, the importance of carbon monoxide detectors was also explained, and the group learned about the junior fire fighter program at West Hills Emergency Services where they can get involved beginning at age 14. The evening was just one example of local organizations coming together to provide more opportunities for members of the community; and in this case, working together to promote fire safety. Through the support of community members, more partnership can be formed. These organizations are always open to new members, and invite you to check them out. The Kittanning Rotary Club meets each Monday at noon at the Richard G. Snyder YMCA.

Leechburg Rotary Club

One of our "Sister Clubs," The Leechburg Rotary Club, and it's Interact Club from Leechburg High School, have recently demonstrating the life saving importance of Shelter Box, a Rotary partnership organization that aids those less fortunate after a natural disaster hits their area. Click on the link below to read the full article of their demonstration: https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/leechburg-students-raise-awareness-for-disaster-relief-by-camping-out-in-cold/ Well done Leechburg Interact and Rotary Clubs!!

Fire Simulator

On Friday, October 11th volunteers from the Club and West Hills Emergency Services visited West Hills Primary with this newly purchased fire simulator. Local firefighters assisted and trained the students on responding to various types of fires they could experience in their homes. Thanks to a Rotary District 7280 Matching Grant, the Club was able to partner with West Hills Emergency Services in purchasing the simulator. Our hope is this simulator will help train students not only on fire prevention but what to do in the event of a fire in their residence. Thank you to Club Member Bobbi Jo Kutch (pictured below) for her efforts in leading this project on behalf of the Club.

3rd Grade Dictionaries

On Tuesday, October 8th Rotarians and other Community Volunteers distributed Dictionaries to all 3rd Graders in the Armstrong School District. Thank you to all who volunteered their time to assist the Club with this project. Pictured here is Club Member Mike McElhaney working with students at Shannock Valley Elementary.

Inductions

At our meeting on 9/23/19 we conducted two Inductions. Club Members Kara Shirley and Bobbi Jo Kutch were installed as Board Members and Brad Graham was inducted as a new Member of the Club. Thank you to Club Member Mike McElhaney for administering the inductions. Congratulations to Brad and a huge thank you to Kara and Bobbie Jo!!!

Member Promotion

Congratulations to Club Member Tammy Bish for being appointed as Publisher of the Leader Times!! A link to the article can be found here: https://www.leadertimes.com/articles/west-penn-media-group-president-appoints-new-publisher-for-leader-times/

Lemonade Stand

At our 9/9/2019 meeting Jessica Coil, Executive Director of the Fort Armstrong Folk Festival, presented the Club with a check in the amount of $4,174 from the proceeds raised while working the Lemonade Stand at this year's festival. Rotary Club Members, their families, and other community volunteers worked shifts throughout the 4-day festival. The funds raised and presented to the Club today will assist us in issuing local Grants, Scholarships, and funding other Community Projects over the next Rotary Year. Jessica is pictured here with Club President Colby Owen. Thank you to all who helped make this year's Lemonade Stand the most successful yet!!

Shelter Box - Hurricane Dorian

Dear members of Rotary District 7280,

You have no doubt seen the devastation of Hurricane Dorian as it has passed over the Bahamas. As the storm tracks north, it has the potential of inflicting more devastation to parts of the East Coast of the United States. In the coming days and weeks there is going to be a tremendous need in these areas.

Our new Zone 33/34 partners, which include the areas affected, have set up a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), which is administered through The Rotary Foundation, to accept donations for relief. Through this fund you can either designate that your donation go to the area of most need or you can specify a specific Rotary District to receive your support. All funds received will be directed by local Rotary clubs in the areas affected and 100% of the monies raised will go directly to those in need. All donations are tax deductible.

I ask that you please take time to review the attached which offers information on how you can donate to the Donor Advised Fund. The areas covered by the various districts, either affected or potential affected, is listed under how to donate by “check” on the attached form.

Another very important way you can help is to send a donation to Shelter Box USA through the following link, www.shelterboxusa.org/donate . While Shelter Box does not have a restricted fund established for Hurricane Dorian, any gift to their Deployments Essentials fund is restricted to gear and expenses directly associated with ShelterBox disaster responses.

Thank you for taking time to review this information and on behalf of our fellow Rotary Districts, I thank you for any support you can offer. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Ken Fleeson
Rotary District 7280
District Governor 2019 - 2020
kfleeson@lectromat.com
724-355-1619

Polio Plus

We have come a long way since we started PolioPlus in 1985, but we still have work to do, and we need your help in empowering Rotarians to join the fight. We challenge each of you to use this video as a tool this year to help raise funds and build awareness for Rotary’s flagship cause: