Christmas is a special time of giving and service for the Rotary Club of Broadway Timberville.  Each year, club members join together to shop for gifts for children from the schools in the Broadway Timberville area and individual members of the club play “secret Santa” for some of the people supported by Pleasant View Inc.  The club also donates $500 to each of the area schools for their backpack and hunger programs.


A school in our area identifies 20 children from families who will not be able to give the children gifts for Christmas.  On a Saturday in early December, Rotarians get together and go shopping for gifts, spending about $1500.  After the fun of shopping together for others, the group meets for a wonderful time of fellowship at Thomas Restaurant in Dayton, Va. 


Soon after the club’s founding in 2004, Rotarians became aware that many of the people supported by Pleasant View, Inc. (PVI), a nonprofit supporting individuals who have developmental disabilities, missed out on gifts for Christmas morning.  Due to institutionalization or other issues, many adults who have disabilities have lost their families connections.  PVI staff members identify individuals who will receive little or nothing to open on Christmas morning, and the Rotarians take a name and shopping list to be their Santa.   These beautifully wrapped presents are taken to each individual’s home where they wait for Christmas morning.  The joy they bring is beyond description, for the individuals who have disabilities and also each Rotarian who gives a gift!

Rotary Conference Registration is open! ?? From April 3-6, 2025, we’re gathering at the beautiful Inn at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA for a weekend of inspiration, learning, and unforgettable fellowship.

Why Attend?
This year’s conference promises to be an exciting event! Here’s what you can look forward to:

?? Engaging Speakers – Hear from renowned experts like Richard Reeves on rebuilding relationships, Steve Lerch on the power of AI, Rotarian and Holocaust survivor Sam Harris on critical lessons from history, and more! Check the conference website for more updates and speakers.

?? Show-Stopping Entertainment – Tap your toes to Dueling Pianos, sing along with a Beatles Tribute Band, and enjoy camaraderie that only Rotary can offer.

?? Hands-On Fun – Create a lasting memory with arts and crafts, where you can paint LOVE letters or a peace pole to symbolize connection and peace in your community.

?? Fellowship Like Never Before – Share stories, laughter, and ideas with Rotarians from across the district. From Pints for Polio to a Wine & Chocolate Tasting and our annual Whiskey Tasting, there’s something for everyone.

?? The Famous Rotary Cookie Table – In honor of RI president Stephanie Urchick, Saturday night will be Pittsburgh food theme. Bring a batch of your favorite cookies to share at our cookie table—a sweet tradition that connects us all. Taste your way through a variety of treats and maybe discover a new favorite!

?? Professional Networking Opportunities – Build connections with business leaders, attorneys, and professionals from across the district. Share insights, forge partnerships, and explore opportunities to grow your impact both in your career and in service.

?? Learn & Grow – Participate in interactive breakouts, youth-focused sessions, and discussions that showcase the heart of Rotary’s mission.

?? Make an Impact – Roll up your sleeves and join the district service project on Saturday afternoon. Together, we’ll demonstrate Rotary’s commitment to making a difference while having fun and connecting with one another.

?? Memorial Service and Final Awards – Celebrate our Rotary family, reflect on our impact, and look forward to the future.

To Register > https://www.rotary7570conference.com/

Happy New Year, Rotarians!

January—the month when gym memberships surge, resolutions are made (and often broken) and we all secretly wonder why we ate so many cookies in December. It’s also Rotary’s Vocational Service Month, the perfect time to reflect on how we can use our unique skills and talents to make the world a better place.

Vocational Service is one of Rotary’s superpowers, reaching back to our very founding. It’s a reminder that what we do from 9 to 5 can change lives from 5 to 9. Whether you’re a teacher shaping young minds, a financial advisor balancing ledgers (and possibly New Year budgets) or a healthcare professional helping others stay healthy after their cookie season, your vocation is a powerful tool for good.

With the start of a new year, we naturally think about the future. I challenge every club to find ways to turn professional expertise into projects that matter. Host a career day to inspire the next generation, mentor young adults to navigate life’s challenges or start a skills training program for those in need. And for those of you thinking, “I’m retired!”—congratulations, but you’re not off the hook. Your experience is a goldmine for mentoring others, and your Rolodex (or smartphone) is still Rotary’s best-kept secret weapon.

Membership is the foundation of all we do. Without new members, we’re just a group of really nice people with funny pins and great stories about the way things used to be. The truth is, we need fresh faces, new ideas and people who laugh at our jokes even when they’ve heard them before. Use this month focusing on Vocational Service to determine what professions are missing in you club.

So here’s my challenge: find one person this month who would make a great Rotarian. It could be the local barista who always spells your name right, the tech-savvy neighbor who knows how to fix your Wi-Fi or the coworker who’s a human sunshine emoji. Invite them to a meeting or service project.

As we embrace 2025, let Vocational Service Month remind us that we don’t stop being Rotarians or applying the Four-Way Test when we take off our swag. We are Rotarians inside the workplace too. Let’s show the world what happens when talented, driven and slightly over-caffeinated people come together to make a difference. And let’s do it with humor, heart and the determination that makes Rotary truly unstoppable.

Here’s to a year of service, growth and yes—fewer cookies (with the exception of District Conference, where I fully expect a great cookie table!).

From December 6th to 8th, 54 Rotary clubs across District 7570 united to sponsor 122 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, inspiring and empowering them to become impactful leaders. These students delved into their personality styles, etiquette, Rotary Youth Exchange, and most importantly, leadership skills. Dr. Jain's keynote speech left them with 10 tangible skills for their leadership toolbox, setting the stage for their future success.

Beyond the enlightening sessions, students enjoyed line dancing, board games, campus excursions to the dining hall, and a spectacular dance night with DJ Earl Brown. The excitement continued with the Four Way Speech Contest, where eight students competed fiercely, culminating in Gabriel Tweedie from Warren County winning first place. Jaya Vashisth took home the prize for the RYLA T-shirt contest.

On December 8th, District Governor Amelia Stansell from District 7610 delivered a powerful presentation on Empowering Students with CAPE (Community Awareness & Prevention Education). A monumental moment occurred when District Governor Bret Hrbek, District Governor - Elect Andy Vanhook, and District Governor Nominee Charlotte Whitted signed the District 7570 pledge to support the vital mission to eradicate human trafficking.

Rotary's unwavering commitment to empowering youth was vividly demonstrated through the success of RYLA. Special thanks extends to all the clubs, chaperones, and volunteers whose dedication made this event a resounding success. Together, we are shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

In the spirit of giving, the Buena Vista Rotary Club was honored to join forces with Buena Vista Public Schools, The Community Foundation, and Feed the Need to ensure everyone in our community could celebrate Thanksgiving with a hearty meal. This Thanksgiving Box Giveaway was for the whole school system with students, teachers, and staff all participating. There were no specific requirements - if a family requested one, they got one.
Volunteers from all of the organizations gathered at Parry McCluer Middle School on Friday, November 22, 2024 to distribute the essential fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to families in need. The box included gravy, stuffing, canned vegetables, potatoes, and even a 12-15 pound turkey funded by the Community Foundation in association with Feed the Need.
This is the second year that the Buena Vista Rotary Club has assisted with the program. They were able to do so as a result of the concession stand proceeds from the Fridays in The Park concert series. Last year, they also received a grant from Rotary District 7570 for a portion of the cost. Rotary clubs worldwide are known for their dedication to service projects and community support and this event was no exception.
For those involved, the event was about more than just distributing food—it was a reminder of the power of community and the importance of giving back. As the holiday season continues, the Buena Vista Rotary Club remains committed to supporting those in need and spreading goodwill throughout the area.

Each year around the holidays for 20 years, Danville Riverview Rotary Club collects items or donations in order to send care packages to servicemen and women, generally with a connection to our club that are serving outside the continental US. 
 
Over the years, we have shipped packages to all branches of the military in locations such as Afghanistan, all over the Middle East, S. Korea, Alaska just to name a few.  Over the years, we have had assistance from our Interact Clubs as well as outside organizations.

We strive to send more care packages than they can handle as it is common for them to share with folks in their unit who might not receive packages or just need a treat.  Club member Brett Jackson heads this yearly service project.

Update January 2025:
A dedication of the 10 houses, both 8 new builds and 2 renovations, was held at the site today. (December 19, 2024)

A special part of the program was the Bibles passed around for signatures and written thoughts by those attending and those who had participated in the building of the homes. Members of several  churches and construction companies were present to be recognized as were several of the recipients of the new homes.

Pictured are just two homes. The others were a little farther away and as you can see in the next set of photos there was so much mud on the road I did not want to drive out there.
  

The site of the destruction is enough to make me cry as I drive by and see the mud, the flattened trees and bushes, the bridges that are now being rebuilt so people don’t have to drive 30 minutes to get around in their neighborhood. 
I have no other comment except to give my humble appreciation to all those who work to rebuild these areas to bring back the beauty of East Tennessee.

  
 

The 2024-2025 District Conference Award Applications are now open! Our District Conference Awards Committee, along with fellow Rotarians in District 7570, are eager to see the amazing accomplishments your clubs have achieved over the past year.

To submit, visit https://www.rotary7570.org/district-conference-awards/ and scroll down to the blue button labeled “SUBMIT A CLUB AWARD APPLICATION.” Select this button for each award category your club would like to enter (there are 10 categories total). Please remember, only one application per category is allowed per club.

Applications are due by Saturday, February 1st.

For any questions, feel free to reach out to Josie Russell.