-
Rotary Club is supporting Cherokee Home for Children with a Food Drive to be turned in on Cherokee Day May 4th. Drop by Arrowhead, Community or Commercial Bank and drop off your non-perishable Food Donation! Photo courtesy of Jacqueline Carlson
March 21st, 2024 - Brenda Mathison spoke to us about her years of experience as an environmental executive.
Brenda served in various organizations such as Best Buy, Republic Services and Green Wise.
She explained how the organizations originally saw recycling and environmental stewardship as a red line in their annual budgets before realizing that if properly implemented, recycling and environmental stewardship was a significant income stream.
Brenda focused not only on recycling but on establishing Sustainable Programs such as energy conservation which included electricity and water. Her advice was, “ let’s look at how we can reduce energy loss, reuse and repair our products, resell the recycled goods and redesign where it makes sense.”
Brenda maintains a home in San Saba as well as Minnesota.
April 4th,2024 -Jim Deuser from the Georgetown Rotary Club spoke about his club’s efforts in building peace in their local community.
Their Mission is to develop and implement a model of inspiration for other organizations and Rotary Clubs using the Rotary Four Way Test as a guide for ending discrimination.
The Rotary Four Way Test of the things we think, say or do.
• First - Is it the truth?
• Second - Is it fair to all concerned?
• Third - Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Fourth - Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The Georgetown Club” Vision is to build a model that exemplifies their Mission, and they have done this by creating Peace Gardens at various schools. Local students have assisted the club in designing the gardens. Jim emphasized that peace is achieved by greater cohesion and inclusivity. He added that building peace in a community is achieved by taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of education, and unequal distribution of resources. Thus said, the Georgetown Rotary Club is active in coaching the citizenry in respectful communication skills. The Peace Gardens serve as a place for gathering of like minded citizens.
April 8th, 2024 – Marvin Whitt, the Director of Development for the Cherokee Children’s Home.
Their Mission is to provide children with a safe and nurturing Christian home during a family crisis. Marvin described their work as “healing the hearts of children in the heart of Texas.”
The Home was established in 1956 and is licensed for ages two to eighteen. Currently there are 20 children living in the home. There is also a Transitional Living Program/Cottage where kids are taught home skills and job skills as they are transitioning into the adult world. The Cherokee Home also has a College Connection Care Program designed to assist those students as they transition into higher education. They currently have two students in two different universities.
Marvin closed with an invitation for anyone interested to attend their annual Cherokee Day Family Fun Fest – Food Drive on May 4, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. There will be tours, games, and a BBQ lunch.
Please RSVP to mwhitt@cherokeehome.org.