East Lansing Rotary Club Foundation Partnering to Raise Funds for Ukraine

The East Lansing Rotary Foundation is partnering with member Ody Norkin (photo, far left) to provide medical supplies for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.   So far Ody has delivered ambulances and medical-surgical supplies to hospitals in Dnipro City that are treating both war and civilian victims of bomb shelling across the country.

The donations to this fund will be used exclusively to purchase badly needed medical equipment for surgeons who are currently using an outdated 1975 X-ray machine for amputations and surgeries to remove shrapnel.  The updated equipment will save more lives by helping surgeons perform more precise and timely work.

Our goal is to obtain a digital X-ray plate costing $18,000 and a CT Scanner costing $60,000.  The equipment will be purchased as soon as sufficient funds are raised.

Thank you for your generosity in supporting this humanitarian effort for medical supplies for Ukraine.

Questions?  Need help donating online or want to donate over the phone or prefer to send a check?  Contact Ingrid Nova at 517-604-6360 or rotary6360@gmail.com.

2024 Meeting Dates

Following are the meeting dates for the East Lansing Rotary Club for 2024.  The club will continue to meet on Tuesdays at 12 Noon at the UClub.  

  • January 9 and 23
  • February 13 and 27
  • March 12 and 26
  • April 9 and 23
  • May 7 and 21
  • June 11 and 25
  • July 9 and 23
  • August 13 and 27
  • September 10 and 24
  • October 8 and 22
  • November 5 and 19
  • December 3 and 17 (Holiday Party!!)

Scramble for Scholarships GREAT SUCCESS!

The East Lansing Rotary Club hosted its 35th annual Scramble for Scholarships on Monday, September 11, 2023 at the Michigan State University Forest Akers “West Golf Course” located at 3535 Forest Road in Lansing, MI.

We met this year’s goal to raise $10,000 for the Joe Gross Memorial Scholarship program.  Over the past 35 years our Rotary club has awarded over $120,000 in scholarships to deserving East Lansing High School graduates to assist them with their college expenses.  Your gift can help us continue this tradition.  Checks should be made payable to: East Lansing Rotary Foundation and may be mailed to: East Lansing Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 4205, East Lansing, MI 48826-4205 or given to Foundation President Joe Osypczuk.

Please contact Golf Committee Chair Bob Page (email: robann@msu.edu or phone: 517/347-6990) if you would like to support this year’s Scramble or would like more information about it. Click HERE to learn more!

 

East Lansing Rotary Club Awards $8,500 to Local Seniors

ROTARY CLUB OF EAST LANSING AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS
TOTALING $ 8,500 TO EAST LANSING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

The Rotary Club of East Lansing, through its Foundation, is pleased to announce the award of
“Joe Gross Memorial Scholarships” to four graduating seniors at East Lansing High School.
The scholarships totaling $8,500, were presented to the following college-bound seniors:
Arianna Burtley – Eastern Michigan University, Elijah Layne – Kalamazoo College, Kate
McAndrews – Hope College, and Tate Schwartz who will be attending Purdue University.

These scholarships are awarded annually upon meeting several criteria that include: the student
applicant’s involvement in the Community and related service activities; academic
accomplishments; and financial need. The individual scholarship amounts vary and can range
between $1,000 and $3,000. The scholarships were presented to the students at this year’s High
School Convocation on May 19th by Robert Page and Dr. William McMillan
Scholarship funds are raised through the East Lansing Rotary Foundation which holds an
annual golf outing in September known as the “Scramble for Scholarships.”

Last September’s (2022) golf outing marked the 35th year for the event. Over this period, the Rotary Club of
East Lansing and its Foundation have awarded over $ 175,000 in scholarships to assist
graduating East Lansing High School seniors with their college expenses. The scholarships are
named for Joseph Gross, who cared deeply about young people and their futures. He was a past
Rotary Club of East Lansing President and a past Governor of Rotary District 6360.
Many thanks to all the Community sponsors, donors and of course the golfers, that have
supported these scholarship efforts throughout the years!

From left to right, scholarship recipients Arianna Burtley, Elijah Layne, Kate McAndrews, Tate Schwartz. Congratulations! 

Pickles for Pickleball! Fundraiser for Patriarche Park

We are excited to announce an East Lansing Rotary Club fundraising project to assist the Patriarche Park Pickleball Association in providing funding for individual fencing around each court, a safety enhancement feature for 10 new pickleball courts at Patriarche Park’s newly renovated Sports Court Complex which includes pickleball, tennis and basketball courts.

The East Lansing Rotary Club is selling delicious McClure’s Pickles for only $10 each! You have your choice between Garlic Dill Spears, Spicy Spears, Sweet & Spicy, Garlic Dill Whole Pickles or Bloody Mary Mix for only $12. Place your orders HERE!

Questions?  Contact Chris Nugent at 517-282-5052.  Get your pickles today!! 

 

East Lansing Rotary Foundation supports MSU Summer Circle Theatre

Michigan State University’s Summer Circle Theatre and the East Lansing Rotary Club have the common distinction of each being founded in 1961. The two stellar organizations have made innumerable contributions to the City of East Lansing since their inception. In recognition of beginning their 61st year of operation, the East Lansing Rotary has pledged its financial and volunteer support to the Summer Circle Theatre as it prepares for its 2022 season with program offerings of 18 free performances and children’s camps.

Summer Circle Theatre (SCT) provides a professional venue for MSU students that offers free theatre to Mid-Michigan audiences. SCT presents shows of varying styles using the talents of community members and professional artists. Beyond theatrical productions, SCT is committed to offering free programming including a Kids Camp and special activities to create a summer destination for arts, education, and entertainment.

The East Lansing Rotary has long supported multiple community service projects in East Lansing that improve resident’s quality of life.  From building playground equipment at Patriarche Park, supporting the Greater Lansing Food Bank through its “Weekend Survival Backpack Project”, the “Weekend Warrior” project which helped to distribute masks, hand warmers and sanitizers in downtown East Lansing during the pandemic, to offering scholarships to East Lansing High School graduates as they pursue their college careers.

“The Summer Circle Theatre provides a great night of free entertainment to East Lansing residents.  There is nothing quite like enjoying a live performance, on a beautiful summer night under the stars, on the campus of Michigan State University,” said Peter Dewan, President-Elect of the East Lansing Rotary.  “East Lansing Rotarians are pleased to step up and offer our support.”

“We are so thankful to receive the support of the East Lansing Rotary Club,” said Artistic Director of Summer Circle Theatre Rob Roznowski. “This support helps to return the tradition of free summer theatre and children’s programming to our mid-Michigan community.”

Additional information about the Summer Circle Theatre can be found at theatre.msu.edu/sct.

Community members interested in becoming involved with the East Lansing Rotary can learn more by attending our luncheon meetings at the University Club of East Lansing, visit our website at https://www.eastlansingrotaryclub.com/or become a friend on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/eastlansingrotaryclub.

Ghana Project

The International Service Committee has sent the Global Grant “Transforming Communities in Ghana” to Rotary International Foundation for review. We would like to get your support financially. This project is described in this powerpoint presentation. It represents a scalable agricultural effort to reduce undernutrition and food insecurity in the Upper East Region of Ghana where women and children are particularly affected. We are partnering with the Tamala Rotary Club and the University of Tamala in Ghana.  The in-country project manager is Dr. Clement Kubuga with Tamala University.  He earned a Ph.D. degree from Michigan State University in nutritional science.

Now it is time to fund the project in the amount of $45,000. Funding will come from three sources. We will have $30,000 from RI and DDF (District). Our Club goal is to raise internally $15,000. We have raised $10,500 as of 3/19/2021 (attached). The upcoming sale of Van Atta Green House Coupons will help to raise an additional 15% of its proceeds ($375 per 100 coupons).

Our goal is to complete the Club member funding by May 15, 2021.  Checks are to be made out to the East Lansing Rotary Foundation with Ghana written on the memo line. Please send checks to P.O. Box 4205 East Lansing Michigan 48826-4205.  Our foundation is designated as a 503 (C) entity. Three thousand dollars in anonymous Club member matching funds has already been pledged.

Van Atta Gift Cards Now Available to Support Ghana Water Project

The Rotary Club of East Lansing is selling $25 Gift Certificates to Van Atta’s Greenhouse and Flower Shop. 15% from every gift certificate sold will go towards the Ghana Water Project, where the Rotary Club of East Lansing is working in cooperation with the Rotary International Services Committee to transform communities and improve lives in the upper east region of Ghana.
If anyone is interested in buying a gift certificate they can contact Christy Crandell at 517-243-7822 or email me Christy.Crandell@trilogyhs.com or contact any East Lansing Rotarian.
View this informative Power Point Presentation HERE!