Members of the Johnson City Noon Rotary Club were honored at an end-of-school student assembly for their role in the “Rotary Readers” program at Mountain View Elementary School. Thanks to the help of a district grant, several members of the Johnson City Noon Club embraced their role as Rotary Readers and read with the school’s kindergarteners on a weekly basis. 

The grant enabled the club to purchase eight different books for the children who were able to take a book home each quarter. “A lot of kids do not have food at every meal, much less books, which would be considered a luxury,” said 2024-2025 President Raleigh Green. “Our goal was to increase reading and literacy so that all students are reading at the level they are supposed to be.”

“The district grant was for $4,000 and we put up $6,000,” said Green. “We have really developed a partnership with the school and with their teachers and principal. We look forward to continuing that relationship in the next school year.”

Principal Dr. Chelsea Lee said she and the teachers and students were extremely pleased with the Rotary Readers and are already looking forward to next year’s program. She said teachers see improvements in reading abilities when Rotarian volunteers work in the classroom with the students.

Johnson City Noon Rotary has an ongoing relationship with the Title I elementary school including providing Christmas gifts and Thanksgiving meals for families. The club also provides a check to the school to use as they see fit.

Rotary Readers

Left to Right: Johnson City Noon Rotarians Jeff Anderson, Joan Mitchell, Raleigh Green and Mary Ellen Miller display the trophy they received to honor the club’s Rotary Readers program at Mountain View Elementary School in Johnson City.

Recently, the Rotary Club of Clarke County proudly dedicated our community’s first Peace Pole—a powerful symbol of unity and hope.

Beautifully painted by Johnson-Williams Middle School’s Art Club and set in 200-year-old historic pavers, the pole bears the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in four languages.

Huge thanks to our dedicated members who made this project possible, and to Rotary District Governor Bret Hrbek for joining us on this special day.

Read more: Winchester Star Article
 

The Lexington Sunrise Rotary Club has received a grant for $72,000 to deliver special pediatric wheelchairs in Ecuador. The project is the collaboration of The Rotary Foundation, District 7570, District 7610 (Northern Virginia), Rotary District 7670 (western North Carolina), and The Wheelchair Foundation. There is an estimate that there is a need for 100 million wheelchairs in the world. Latin America is one of the most neediest areas. These wheelchairs will go to children who have neurological disorders coming from birth defects, exposure to toxic substances, or a number of causes. Locals believe that pesticides sprayed on the fields years ago are responsible for the high number of birth defects. 

In August, a team of twenty Rotarians will fly to Ecuador to help local Rotarians and qualified medical personnel fit each recipient with his or her wheelchair. The wheelchairs come in three sizes and are equipped with special padding and straps for the safety and comfort of the patient. Local Rotarians and social services personnel will identify the individuals needing a wheelchair and provide training to the individual and/or their caregivers on the operation and maintenance of the wheelchairs. Periodic visits over the next year to the patients by social services staff will ensure that the wheelchairs are still needed. They will evaluate the impact the wheelchairs are having on the individuals and their caregivers. 

If you would like to help the Rotarians with this project, please contact Woody Sadler at [email protected] 

Contributing to CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) before the end of June 2025 is a meaningful way to support the global effort to understand, prevent, and ultimately cure this devastating disease. With more than 55 million people affected worldwide, Alzheimer's places a significant burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Donations in the coming weeks can accelerate groundbreaking studies, fund clinical trials, and help scientists develop earlier diagnostic tools and more effective treatments.

Contributions made now can have an immediate impact on funding allocations, ensuring that critical projects move forward without delay. Whether through financial support, participating in research studies, or raising awareness, every action taken before the end of June 2025 strengthens the fight against Alzheimer’s and brings hope to millions facing the disease.

The current club-giving leader board for District 7570 looks like this:

1. Chatham
2. Bristol VA-TN
3. New Market
4. Warren County
5. Lexington Sunrise
6. Forest
7. Kingsport Downtown
8. Staunton
9. Johnson City Morning
10. Radford

Please let me know if you have questions or if your club is in need of a program on CART.  My email is [email protected].

As of, Thursday, 22 May, 2025, all five Warren County Public Elementary Schools have installed Peace Poles on their grounds. One of our two middle schools, and one of our two high schools have as well. The Rotary Club of Warren County is committed to installing a Peace Pole at our other high schools this coming fall. We are hoping that our founding club, The Rotary Club of Front Royal, will cover the other middle schools, to round out all of our public schools.

On May 7, the Rotary Club of the Blue Ridge performed a micro-project during their regular club meeting, a micro-project in honor of Mother's Day on May 11. In support of Huddle Up Moms in the Roanoke Valley, they wrapped packs of 25 diapers for distribution in their Support Shop. In total, they wrapped 3,000 diapers over the course of an hour. 

Huddle Up Moms (HUM) is a Roanoke-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering mothers across Southwest Virginia through education, connection, and support. They provide essential baby items, such as diapers, formula, and wipes, free of charge to over 125 families monthly via their Support Shop, and are working to establish the region’s first certified diaper bank through Project H.U.D.D.L.E. Additionally, HUM offers various peer-led support groups, educational workshops, and operates The Haven on 5th, a collaborative space with Postpartum Support Virginia that serves as a hub for community resources and events.

Visit our District Facebook page for more photos!
 

The Rotary Club of Rockingham County installed a 3rd Peace Pole in Harrisonburg and has registered a total of 19 Peace Poles, many that existed prior to our club's efforts to plant additional Peace Poles in Rockingham County and Harrisonburg City. This newest Peace Pole is located on the grounds of the Salvation Army Harrisonburg and along the Harrisonburg Northend Greenway. This Rotary Peace Pole features the languages English, Spanish, Arabic, French, Russian, Swahili, Tigrinyan, American Sign Language, a braille plaque, a rainbow flag, and a Veterans for Peace logo. Salvation Army Lieutenant Douglas Ingold, a new member of our club, sent the following message "Inspired by scripture, we are reminded of the angels' message of peace at Jesus' birth, Paul's call for us to live peaceably with all, and Christ's work to break down barriers and bring unity. As followers of Jesus, whose Gospel is one of peace, we affirm our mission to be peacemakers. May this pole inspire all who pass by to seek and share peace. May Peace Prevail on Earth."

The event was highlighted with words of dedication from the Rotary Club of Rockingham County President Emily Cohen, Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, and Lt. Douglas Ingold. Rotary Club member Charles Hendricks has led the efforts to register existing Peace Poles and add new Rotary Peace Poles through Rockingham County and Harrisonburg. 

On May 5, State Delegate Tim Griffin (53rd District) presented the Rotary Club of Forest with a certificate of HR703, a resolution passed by the Virginia House of Delegates during the recent General Assembly session. The stated purpose of the resolution is to commend the Rotary Club of Forest for their annual Field of Honor project, the playground equipment that they have installed at the Forest Public Library, and the general efforts to promote the welfare of the community.