On Saturday, December 10, Rochester Rotary invited children supported by the Rochester Neighborhood House, a local non-profit dedicated to assisting neighbors during times of hardship, to their very own Christmas Party. The party took place at the River Crest Banquet Center, where Rotary holds their weekly meetings, and included a lunch, games, a visit from Santa, and most importantly, a gift for every child.
A week before the party, the Rotary Club learned that there would be several more children than previously expected, and over the course of lunch, members helped double the gift budget, to ensure each child would have a present to open.
Local Girl Scout Troop 74763 also assisted by organizing games and spending time with the other children
“Christmas is an important time of year to remember your neighbors,” said former Rotary Club President and event organizer, Alan McLellan. “It’s so easy to forget that not everyone’s Christmas is full of joy and laughter. Some of our neighbors are going through a rough time. I’m really proud of the generosity that each Rochester Rotarian showed in helping to give these children a great party of their own.”
Rochester Rotary is a local member club of Rotary International, a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service and encourages high ethical standards in all vocations.
Rochester Rotary
About Rochester Rotary
Celebrating 60 years as a club in 2014, Rochester Rotary is one of 34,000 member clubs of Rotary International, which has more than 1.2 million members and raises and disburses funds for charitable, educational and scientific purposes. Monies are raised through social events and service projects organized by the club, ‘fines’ collected at Rochester Rotary meetings and gifts offered to the club through members and supporters.
The club welcomes new members who live or work in Rochester, Rochester Hills or Oakland Township. For membership information, contact Jeff Whitbey at Jeff@whitbey.net. Rochester Rotary meets each Tuesday at noon at the River Crest Banquet Hall at Avon Road and Livernois, in Rochester Hills. Learn more at www.rochesterrotaryclub.org
About Rotary International
Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and around the globe. The 1.2 million Rotarians who hail from Rotary clubs in nearly every country in the world share a dedication to the ideal of Service Above Self. Rotary clubs are open to people of all cultures and ethnicities, and are not affiliated with any political or religious organizations. Learn more at www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary
About Neighborhood House
Rochester Area Neighborhood House Inc., a nonprofit human service organization founded by communities of faith in 1968, assists our neighbors during times of hardship. They collaborate with the community and other social service providers to help those neighbors toward self-sufficiency. Sudden job loss, divorce, death of a spouse – life circumstances can change everything for anyone. Neighborhood House recognizes the basic need of residents in crisis and responds with emotional and financial assistance. Neighborhood House believes people, helping people is the model of a strong community.
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