From supplies for a food bank serving low-income families to training young adults with disabilities, the Rotary Club of Philadelphia’s outreach is a perfect way to celebrate its 110th anniversary

By Jay Pennie 

While celebrating its 110th anniversary at a recent virtual meeting, members heard from leaders of seven organizations that recently received funding from the Rotary Foundation of Philadelphia. Grant recipients thanked members for their support and provided insight into their organization's use of the funding and how it benefits their community.

With an initial donation of $1,000, the club’s foundation was established in 1965 by generous and visionary new club members. Today, the foundation grants about $30,000 a year to organizations in need, both locally and internationally. While the Rotary Club of Philadelphia is well known for hands-on service projects ranging from preparing meals for people with medical conditions to purchasing and distributing books to schools in need, lesser known is the outreach work through the Rotary Foundation of Philadelphia, supported and operated by members.

“We want to express our utmost gratitude for the grant of to support our Hungry to Healthy Initiative, which provides food to all community members who need it through our daily food pantry, monthly community meals, and senior meal service,” said David Chiles, Executive Director, Lutheran Settlement House. 

Another grant recipient, The Brighter Horizon Foundation, provides college preparation for low-income students. The organization works with what they call “rising scholars” to help them navigate the complicated process of college admissions to financial aid options through intense mentoring throughout their college experience including awarding scholarships. According to Alana Ward Robinson, Board Chair, “It is so critical to provide this support because they are the first in their family to attend a four-year college.” Robinson said, “Thank you so very much for your generosity and acknowledgement of the Brighter Horizon Foundation mission and accomplishments. I also enjoyed hearing the stories of the other six organizations that you recognized.  There so much for you to be proud of.”

Members also heard from Sharon Donahue, Director of Advancement, Liguori Academy, Lisa Parker, Founder, Peace Day Philly, Sarah Washerstein, Executive Director, Next Steps Program, Inc, Mark Ornstein, CEO, Federation Early Learning Services, and Martha Sharkey, Founder & CEO, Today Is A Good Day. 

“These are always my favorite meetings and is makes me so proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia. It’s always inspiring for me to see how we can help the community and learn about the amazing work of these organizations. I’m always learning something new,” said Kurt Stroemel, President, Rotary Foundation of Philadelphia. 

In the local community, the Rotary Foundation of Philadelphia’s outreach efforts helped to:

• Provide books for new library at Liguori Academy, a school that serves low-income student in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

• Support peace and conflict resolution programs at Peace Day Philly that focus on efforts from global issues to end wars to locally breaking down barriers between youth and police.

• Provide training for young adults with disabilities to come together, learn new skills, build community, and prepare for life after high school at Next Steps Programs, Inc.

• Support creative educational activities including science, technology, engineering, math, and art at Federation Early Learning Services. 

• Provide supplies that support families who are going through the stress and trauma of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit through Today Is A Good Day’s signature program.  

• Food and other supplies for the Lutheran Settlement House’s Hungry to Healthy initiative. 

• Provide intensive college preparation and support for low-income students through Brighter Horizon Foundation’s program.    

Mr. Stroemel thanked the board of directors of the foundation for their continued work that utilizes their knowledge of local and international matters to identify areas of need, and together work to improve the community.

If you are a Rotarian, I hope that you are proud of the work that we do. If you are not yet a member, contact us to join.

Find out how you can become a member of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia or make a donation to the Rotary Foundation of Philadelphia.