Projects
April Day of Service
Rotarians will, once again, roll up sleeves on April 29th to help out around the N Fulton area on various community projects. This semi-annual community service event was first conceived by 4 local Rotarians in an effort to engage Alpharetta residents in a Day of Service in the community. Projects are designed so that the entire family has options to serve through a variety of tasks. Projects will include creek and watershed clean-up, park beautification, senior services and a host of other options. In our communities today, people often feel disconnected. Day of Service encourages volunteerism and connects people to causes they are most passionate about. All of this is facilitated with the hope that participants will continue their volunteer efforts beyond the Day of Service.
Business of the Year
This year the Rotary Club of Alpharetta initiated the First Business of the Year Award to be awarded to an Alpharetta Large Business (more than 100 employees) and an Alpharetta Small Business (less than 100 employees). Our goal was to engage with our public and private neighbors in our community, to seek out nominations and via a committee select the businesses that are excellent stewards of the Rotary principles and the 4-way test. Applications were solicited over a 2 month period through the local Business Chambers and the Alpharetta Visitor Bureau and Conference Center. The businesses selected also are actively engaged in the community and give of their thinking, time, talent and treasures to address some of the world's most pressing needs. This award helps us connect with our local businesses but more importantly to acknowledge businesses that are Rotarian in nature. In addition it gave us the opportunity to get to know our local businesses and for them to learn more about Rotary. Not only did we give these two business an award to display at their business.
CART Fund Project
Rotary Club of Alpharetta has long supported Rotary’s CART Fund with, very often, the largest donation from a Club of our category in this District. This year we have raised and donated over $2000.00 toward Alzheimer’s research by dropping change in the CART buckets on our tables. Rotarians are encouraged to voluntarily empty their pockets of change, or whatever amount they choose, whenever they attend a Rotary meeting.
Stand Up for Kids
Stand Up for Kids has been a program the Rotary Club of Alpharetta has invested our members thinking, time, talent and treasures for a number of years. It was Past President Steve Gillard signature project. Rotarians from the Club have continued to be mentors in the program, and annually we support the Holiday and Winter and Spring Graduation Parties.
Service Above Self: iCan Bike with Public Safety Officers
Each year iCan Bike Alpharetta helps children with disabilities learn how to ride a bike. With the help of local volunteers and specially adapted “roller bikes”, the forty riders work towards the goal of riding a bike unassisted during daily 75-minute sessions over the course of a week.
Dare to Be Better Together: Neonatal Medical Global Grant in Ecuador
Individual effort may be turned to individual needs but combined effort should be dedicated to the service of mankind. The power of combined effort knows no limitation.
- Paul Harris, 1917
Alpharetta Rotary partnered with six D6900 Clubs, and the Quevado Rotary Club to organized a Global Grant for $62,250 for the improvement of neo-natal healthcare in Ecuador. Partnering Clubs include Columbus, Sandy Springs, Milton, Johns Creek, North Fulton and Marietta Metro. This global grant specifically addresses the Rotary’s area of focus in saving mothers and children.
Reliable Transportation for 40 Working Families: Auto Microloans
“The Auto Loan Program will truly change lives, giving autonomy to a single mother who is trying to balance her children’s needs with viable employment without a dependency on our limited public transportation. We look forward to piloting the program this year!” - Kathy Swahn, Executive Director of the Drake House
Cottage School House and Culinary Arts Vocational Program
“We are excited that these gardening structures will provide opportunities for hands-on, experiential horticultural skills for our students for years to come, and we appreciate the Alpharetta Rotary Club for facilitating this important educational experience.”
- Amanda Burke, Cottage School Science Teacher
Friends of Wills Park - Park Beautification and Stream Restoration
Foe Killer Creek is a perennial stream that flows through Wills Park in Alpharetta, continues into Big Creek and eventually into the Chattahoochee River. Unfortunately, the creek has been identified as an impaired (polluted) stream due to increased presence of fecal coliform bacteria and sediment load.
Serving Humanity When Disaster Strikes
When disaster strikes, whether it be flood, earthquake, famine or plague... Rotarians do more than observe: They Respond.
- Wayne Hearn, The Rotarian Magazine
When disaster strikes, Alpharetta Rotary responds to "Serve Humanity" by contributing over $26,000 in relief funds.
Rotary Health Day for 51,000 Individuals - Indore, India
Alpharetta Rotary collaborated with the Rotarians for Family Health & AIDS Prevention (RFHA) to acquire a $99,455 global grant from the Rotary Foundation with the intention to carry out the Rotary Family Health Days in one of the poorest areas in India.
Spotlight Recovery: Communities Addressing Drug Addiction
Spotlight Recovery will be shined a spotlight on the recovery community and celebrated victories. Over 80 people attended the event which featured powerful recovery stories and breakout sessions on mental health, recovery and addiction A community event sponsored by Alpharetta Rotary to raise awareness for the recovery community. The event featured powerful recovery stories and breakout sessions on mental health, recovery and addiction.
Back to School Supplies Program with North Fulton Rotaract
ALPHARETTA ROTARY and NORTH FULTON ROTARACT DONATES BACKPACKS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO NORTH FULTON COMMUNITY CHARITIES
The Alpharetta Rotary Club, in partnership with the North Fulton Rotaract Club, raised $1750 to buy backpacks and supplies for children served by North Fulton Community Charities. Members of both Clubs, along with their family and friends, gathered to stuff 65 backpacks with a variety of school supplies on July 28, 2016 at Abbey of the Holy Goats. Alpharetta Rotarian, Karen Hipes, and North Fulton Rotaractor, Tori Alterman, were the co-organizers for the Backpack Project.
Alpharettta Rotary Club Welcomes Grsp Student, Antonella Trabanino, From El Salvador
The Alpharetta Rotary Club’s new GRSP (Georgia Rotary Student Program) student, Antonella Trabanino, arrived August 9, 2016 from her home in San Salvador, El Salvador. Antonella is 18 years old and will be a freshman in college this year. She will be attending the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.
Firefighter's Outreach to Children
The public education division of the Alpharetta Fire Marshal’s Office has implemented many community involvement activities. We believe that involvement with our community prior to activating the 911 system is paramount in community relations. By utilizing our fire safety house, reserve apparatus, and off shift personnel, we are able to educate all age groups in fire safety education.
Alpharetta Rotarians Support Local USO Efforts
The Rotary club of Alpharetta has a long standing commitment to support our military. As part of a quarterly effort, several members of the club went to the United Services Organization (USO) in Atlanta, on August 4. Each year this service project has been coordinated by Rotarian William Perkins.
Clinica De Salud Casa Samuel - Global Grant Project
Financial Contributions Total Project $79,500
The Alpharetta Rotary Club will be named in Marietta Metro’s Global Grant application, along with the East Cobb Rotary and the Smyrna Rotary Clubs which have both already confirmed their participation. Alpharetta Rotary’s participation as the majority contributor will allow the project to utilize a total of $31,000 in D6900 DDF.
Eagle Scout Project: More than a Desk
Other than the Boy Scouts in the USA from Troop 69, Mukund Aravapalli plans on leading a team of Scouts in India in the assembly of 143 desks and chairs. The Alpharetta Boy Scouts in Troop 69 will be assisting by raising awareness of the situation of schools in rural India and also in fund raising. The scouts in India will be helping in assembling 143 desk/chair kits.
Buddy Bags for Children in Crisis
Buddy Bags ins a three-year-old ministry with approximately 20 active members who meet weekly. Alpharetta Rotarians are volunteers of this group. As of September 1, 2016, over 1,772 Buddy Bags have been given to over 30 organizations including fire and police departments.
ALPHARETTA ROTARY PREPARES A HOME FOR A HOMESTRETCH FAMILY
Rotary Club of Alpharetta completed 3 projects for HomeStretch to get an apartment ready for a new family to move in. Alpharetta Rotarians painted the interior of the apartment. And on Saturday, September 24 Rotarians cleaned the inside and outside of the apartment.
Family of Rotary: The 21st Annual Mayor's Corporate Challenge
The Alpharetta Mayor’s Challenge Race is Alpharetta Rotary’s largest fundraiser for the year. Alpharetta Rotary set a record-setting year by raising over $130,000 at the 2016 event. These dollars will be used to directly support local charities such as, North Fulton Community Charities, Drake House, Homestretch, Lionheart School and the YMCA. The funds also have a global impact on Polio Eradication, Literacy, Clean Water Projects and Humanitarian and medical aid.
100% Pathway to Paul Harris
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is proud to be a 100% Paul Harris Club. In order to maintain the tradition of full involvement in the Rotary Foundation, the Club has implemented the "100% Pathway to Paul Harris".
We ask they each new member becomes a Paul Harris Fellow within one year of joining the club. We have had successful involvement for the first year. It has helped us raise our overall Foundation Giving to a five-year high.
2017 Derby Party
Ladies and Gentlemen, grab your big hats and seersucker suits! Come celebrate with us and enjoy an evening full of fellowship and fun. Experience a night full of excitement as you bid on your favorite auction items & dance the night away with one of the most versatile, high energy dance and show bands around. This is going to be a night you will not want to miss. Come out and support a great cause.
Adopt-a-Mile November
Adopt-a-Mile November 19th
A score of Alpharetta Road Warriors. Twenty Rotary volunteers turned out for Adopt-A-Mile to keep Old Milton Parkway and Alpharetta beautiful. Great job Chris Weeber organizing the troops!
Alpharetta Public Safety Holiday Lunch
The Club enjoys serving the Public Safety Department for their Holiday Lunch each December. It is the club's small way to serve those who serve our community each and every day to make us feel safe.
A group of fifteen Alpharetta Rotarians spend three hours during lunch to serve some good BBQ and say thank you to the 200 Police and Firefighters in Alpharetta along with their families.
Alpharetta Rotary Contributes Volunteers & $20,000 for North Fulton Homelessness and Hunger Care Programs
Alpharetta Rotary partners with the collection of non-profits and invests in multiple strategies to alleviate homelessness and hunger for our community. 100% of our membership is actively involved in providing solutions and helping end the cycle of homelessness for hard-working families.
Blood Drive
Alpharetta Rotary is organizing a Blood Donation drive on March 10th as part of the Rotary has Heart for the Quarter. We will have 40 volunteers donating which would potentitially help 40 people in the need of blood transfusions.
C5 Georgia
The mission of C5 Georgia is to inspire high-potential youth from risk-filled environments to pursue personal success, to prepare them for leadership roles in college, work and community, and to motivate them to become role models for others.
Alpharetta Rotarian, Lee Doernberg, introduced the club to the C5 organization. He is currently the Treasurer for C5 Georgia. Alpharetta Rotary is excited to get to know this wonderful organziation more and participate as Mentors in the future.
Cereal Drive
Alpharetta Rotary collects Cereal and other pantry items for North Fulton Community Charities for the summer. Food needs increase during the summer because kids stay home during the summer. The club collected 169 Boxes.
Club Bulletin Submission
We Use our Bulletins to entertain, inform and gather volunteers for our many service projects. It is one of the many mediums that we use to communicate with our club members. Whether it is to gather volunteers for our Day of Service, interest about our Paul Harris Oyster Roast or information about the Rotary Convention, the newsetter has always been the best way to gather volunteers and interest for our next event.
Coat Drive for North Fulton Community Charities
Alpharetta Rotary participated in the Annual Warm Coat Drive that would benefit North Fulton Families. The coats were collected during meeting over three weeks. Approximately 40 coats were collected and delivered to North Fulton Community Charities.
Distracted Driving Program
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. Particularly in the teen community the temptation to texting and phone calls while driving is an ever present danger. In working with the Public Safety Foundation and Police Officers, Alpharetta Rotary helped purchase a specialized golf cart that would give teens a first-hand understanding of the dangers of distracted driving.
District Newsletter
Alpharetta Rotary enjoys sharing our projects and events with other clubs in the district by submitting articles to the District Newsletter. Each month, we share our Rotary Moments to share with the DIstrict.
District Training
As a fast-growing club, it is crucial that our newer members understand Rotary's Passion for Service quickly and that our future Club Leaders understand the dynamics of utilizing the services of Rotary International and District 6900.
Our members have been involved in the following training opportunities
Envision Alpharetta
What began as an annual day of service, became a Rotary Community Corp group and has turned into a grass-roots movement for Alpharetta. Envision Alpharetta is a group of passionate stakeholders whose vision is to grow a community of leadership in Alpharetta.
Every Woman Works
Our Club participated in the annual hip hop dance annual fundraiser event for Every Woman Works, a non-profit that gives battered, drug and alcohol influenced, formerly imprisoned, and returning veteran women who have lost the ability to take care of themselves and their children, a chance to get back on their own feet.
Fall Alpharetta Day of Service
Alpharetta Rotarians, family members and friends joined together to clean up areas in Wills Park for the Alpharetta Day of Service. This was a special day designed for volunteers to serve the community, and it all started as a partnership with the YMCA, Rotary Club of Alpharetta, and the City of Alpharetta. The event has now grown to include churches and volunteer groups and continues to grow each year. This year, we are working with Rivers Alive, which is one of Alpharetta Rotary’s on-going project partners.
Fall BBQ at the USO - October
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta has a long history of service to our community. One of the most enduring facets of the club is its unwavering support of the men and women of our military. After 9/11,the club looked for ways to deepen it’s involvement with our service members. Through contacts with other Rotarians, the Alpharetta Club was able to join with the Atlanta USO to support our soldiers. Each quarter between 8 and 10 Rotarians from Alpharetta spend the day at the USO serving lunch and assisting service members passing through the airport. A full bar-b-que lunch is served complete with all the trimmings.
Family of Rotary: Paul Harris Oyster Roast Celebration
“We should not live for ourselves alone, but for the joy in doing good for others.”
– Arch Klumph, founder of The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is celebrating 100 years of the Rotary Foundation Doing Good in the World
Financial Calculators for Homestretch
Alpharetta Rotary has provided Calculators for High School Students who are clients of Homestretch. The Calculators are required for high school math. Valued at $100, it can be quite an expense for families struggling to stay above poverty.
Grilling and Gridiron
Lionheart Grilling and Gridiron is a fundraiser for the Lionheart School. Restaurants in community group grill, and people purchase tickets to try all the grills. The event is set up tailgate style and a UGA game is shown on a giant screen TV in downtown Alpharetta.
Habitat For Humanity Build - Feb 4
On Saturday, February 4th, members of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta participated in a Habitat for Humanity building project to help finish building a home in Cumming, GA. Rotarian Casey Robinson helped coordinate the work day and Rotarians Mickey Rogers, Randy Schiltz, John Hipes, Karen Hipes, Jason Binder, Katie Rocco, Brian Mould, Cookie Haynes, Bob Koncerak, Ralph Aguera, Morris Cowan, Deborah Swofford, Joe Wargo, and Cokkie Eaker worked from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm hanging hardie plank siding. In addition to the work of the Rotarians, students from Lambert High School pitched in to help make this house a home for its future owners.
Homestretch Budget Mentor
Matt Amerson, Alpharetta Rotarian, has been serving the Homestretch community as a budget/finance mentor. They meet on a monthly basis. Together, they created a spreadsheet to track her daily and monthly spending and saving habits. Working together, they review her spending and offer suggestions on how best to pay off debt and use her money in a wiser manner. Matt also discuss long-term goals and plans such as life after Homestretch and employment opportunities.
Homestretch Jobs Program
HomeStretch is an organization that addresses some of the root causes of homelessness in our community. Alpharetta Rotarians serve as Financial and Life Mentors for the families and have created a program to aid Homestretch residents in their job search.
Honduras Wilderness Team March 2016
On March 11, 2017 Alpharetta Rotarian, Paul Ray, will embark on his 4th annual Wilderness Team trip to the Agalta Valley, Honduras. Fortunately, HOI and the mission groups that have gone to the impoverished valley (pop. 40,000) for 25 years have made a huge impact on residents there. Education brings prosperity. Years ago the children were destined to become sustenance farmers, now they want to become teachers, doctors, and engineers.
Independence Interact Club "Can Do Good" and Blood Drive
For the fifth consecutive year, the Independence High School Interact Club participated in the “Can Do Good” competition. The goal of the program is to support the efforts of local food banks and to introduce high school students to the basic concepts of architecture and engineering while promoting community awareness and social responsibility. Club members conducted a canned food drive and used the donated cans to create an original sculpture conveying what Independence HS means to them. They designed a NASCAR themed structure with tracks encircling and winding through the base.
Induction Party Grill Out
Our Induction Grilling Party has become a favorite tradition for Alpharetta Rotarians and their families. We meet at PP Bill Weeks house on Lake Lanier to enjoy the water and have the newly inducted President and Officers grill for the entire club!
Junior Achievement Program with the Drake House
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta led a Junior Achivement Job Shadow Program that offers teenage residents of the Drake House a unique opportunity: a visit to a professional work environment and insights into how to find and keep a fulfilling career.
Junior Diabetes Research Fund
Alpharetta Rotarian, Ted Schwartz, applied for the Alpharetta Rotary Grant Application to be given to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) because it is the leading research organization seeking to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is the deadlier disease of diabetes as about about 10% of all diabetic cases are Type 1. Today about 1.5 million Americans suffer from Type 1 diabetes which includes Ted and his 12 year old son Blake.
Kilifi Kids International Assistance
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is excited to work with the Rotary Club of Vinings to participate in this year's Kilifi Grant Global Grant. Alpharetta Rotary was able to contribute $6,250 to the grant which would equate to an impact of $25,000
King's Ridge Christian School Interact
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is sponsoring the new Interact Club of King’s Ridge Christian School. The Interact Club’s charter was awarded on January 20, 2017 to Cambri Driskell, 14-years-old, who is heading the organization.
Cambri is a freshman in high school at King’s Ridge and has attended the school for 10 years. Cambri said she wanted to start the club because, “I have grown up in the Rotary world as my dad and my grandpa have been avid members of the Alpharetta Rotary Club. I've always loved going to the club meetings every Friday with my dad. The service that is carried out by the club is something that I admire very much; because of this, I wanted to extend the opportunity of service to my high school, which led me to establish the first ever King's Ridge Interact Club.”
Laws of Life Essay Contest
We sponsor two high schools in the Laws of Life Essay contest. Rotarians to serve as judges of the work done by students participating in the contest and pick a school winner and a runner-up from each school.
Lionheart
The Lionheart Vocation program helps students transition from school to employment which is a critical issue for families with children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Lionheart WORKS is designed for students who are transitioning from school to a work environment. The overarching goal of the WORKS program is to meet the needs of individuals who have the desire and abilities to begin training for work environments. WORKS partners are selected based on need, affinities and abilities of participants.
Meals By Grace - January
Members of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta recently gave back to families in need by volunteering to feed less fortunate residents.
On Sunday, Jan. 15, Alpharetta Rotarians traveled to Midway United Methodist Church to help Forsyth County-based Meals By Grace and its volunteers set up various stations to sort clothing and food for the citizens they serve.
Meals by Grace - October
From New Member Natasha Rigsby
It was a humbling experience and one that my husband Wayne and I were honored to be a part of, thank you.
For our delivery, the house pictured on the info sheet was perfect and we were told that it was located behind another house, also perfect. When we knocked on the sliding glass door, which was covered inside by a sheet, we were greeted by the three young children who lived there. "Mom" came up a second later and we quickly learned that nobody spoke English.
Member Vocational Videos
In an effort to better understand and appreciate both who are members are and what they do for a living, we are thrilled to showcase a new project out of our Vocational Services arm involving filming our members "interview style". These were light, fun and easy interviews that were done at member's businesses.
Memorial Day Tribute
The City of Alpharetta and Rotary Club of Alpharetta will host the 2nd Annual Memorial Day Tribute on Monday, May 30 at 9:30 a.m. at Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza. The event is free for the public to attend.
Mayor David Belle Isle said, “If you are looking to embrace your community, celebrate our Country, and honor those who, in establishing and protecting our freedoms and liberties, paid the highest price, then I can think of no better place to be than the Alpharetta Memorial Day Tribute. Come be a part of the fabric of Alpharetta.”
Milton Interact
The Milton High School Interact Club found new energy this year. With 15 members, the Club participated in a number of service projects benefitting the community and giving leadership and service opportunities to Club members. Service projects included participation in the City of Alpharetta Scarecrow Harvest and Christmas Tree Lighting events where Interacters engaged with children and parents with a fun temporary tattoo booth. The Club also volunteered at the Foster Care Support Foundation where they sorted and racked clothes and organized other donations for distribution to foster children and their families across the state of Georgia.
Miss Mary's Ice Cream Crankin
Alpharetta Rotary participated in the annual Miss Mary's Ice Cream Crankin' event. Fun event, great turnout Sunday afternoon to support the Drake House. The rain held out until our ice cream was gone!
New Bike Program
Delivered 27 New Bikes to Different Organizations. The Bikes were donated to kids that are residents of the Drake House and to Foster Care Support of Georgia.
NFCC Turkey Delivery
Alpharetta Rotary delivered 83 Turkeys to North Fulton Community Charities to help brighten families Thanksgiving Dinners in the area.
NORTH FULTON HOST HOSPITALITY NIGHT - RI CONVENTION
The Clubs of the North Fulton Rotary Council are working together to plan a Host Hospitality Night for Convention Visitors on the night of June 12th. Alpharetta's own, Wills Park is the location for the Southern Barbeque themed dinner.
Old Soldiers Day Parade & Cookout
Alpharetta Rotary Supports Old Soldiers Day Parade for 25 Years
On Saturday, August 6, the Alpharetta Rotary club will mark its 25th year as part of the 64th annual Old Soldiers Day Parade. The Club members, family and friends will work together to create a beautifully decorated float which will be carrying Alpharetta Rotary’s Grand Marshal for this year, Chris Webber. “As a ten year member of Alpharetta Rotary and one of many military veteran members of the club, I am honored to be a special part of our club’s Old Soldiers Day Parade contingent this year, said Chris Weeber.”
Pathways Scholarships - Honduras
Alpharetta Rotarians sponsor 2 students through the Pathways Scholarship program in Honduras for the past four years. Our students, Alex and Angel, are starting the 9th grade this year and are excited to continue their education. Alpharetta Rotarian, Paul Ray, has visited them annually over the past three years.
Pathways2Life Teen Addiction Prevention, Counseling and Support
The challenges our teens face today are greater than ever leaving them in a vulnerable place. The world promotes quick fix options providing instant gratification that leave them exposed to negative, habit forming, and isolating behaviors. Pathways2Life uses a proven process of prevention, crisis intervention and support to empower teens and trusted adults to recognize risks, choose wisely and live purposefully. Pathways2Life's goal is to restore and empower youth to be emotionally and spiritually mature, equipping them to lead future generations.
Police Athletic League Shop with a Cop
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta recently donated $1,000 to the Shop with a Cop program sponsored by the Police Athletic League.
PAL works with “at risk” youth from 8-18 years of age providing many programs throughout the year, including tutoring, music, fitness, and leadership programs.
Providing a much-need Car to a Mom and her Family
One Drake House mom received an early Christmas gift. Two days before Christmas, a generous Alpharetta Rotary Club member donated a car after a presentation discussing how transportation is a barrier to poverty.
This mom truly needed reliable and safe transportation to get to her late shift job at an assisted living facility in Buckhead. The donor heard that she was often unable to use public transportation to get home late at night and had to walk from the North Springs MARTA station. She's overjoyed at all the opportunities that The Drake House has given her during her stay. Alpharetta Rotary has helped change lives of her and her family.
Public Safety Service Above Self Award
On July 15th the Rotary Club of Alpharetta awarded Officers Amanda Clay and Alan Elfreth the inaugural Public Safety Service Above Self Award. The Alpharetta Rotary Club donated funds and volunteers to the iCan Bike Alpharetta event. This event is organized by Officers Amanda Clay and Allen Elfreth with the Alpharetta Police Department. They were presented with the inaugural “Service Above Self” award
Rotaract Partnership
Rotary Club of Alpharetta is in the second year of co-sponsoring the North Fulton Rotaract Club. We have made in effort to include the Rotaract Club in our service projects and to include them as a part of our Rotary Club.
- We Inducted N Fulton Rotaract President Tori Altermann as a Alpharetta Rotarian. Her dual membership as a Rotaractor and Alpharetta Rotarian has helped us better connect with the Rotaract Club.
Rotary Community Corps: Communities Addressing Addiction
Based on a rapid rise in heroin overdose deaths in North Fulton, as well as an increase in addiction, the Alpharetta Rotary Club will utilize and mobilize strategic partners to help combat the addiction crisis within the community and created a Rotary Community Corp named Communities Addressing Addiction
Rotary Youth Exchange
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is proud to announce that it has selected local high school student, Kate Rojales to receive the prestigious Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarship to study abroad. The scholarship is valued at over $24,000.00 and covers room, board, tuition and a monthly stipend for one academic year. The scholarship is awarded for the 2017-2018 academic year by the Rotary Club of Alpharetta.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Alpharetta Rotarians, their children and high school Interact members worked together to collect donations needed during the holidays. The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle started in San Francisco in 1891 and is the charity’s most prominent fundraiser and assists over 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide.
Santa visits Dogwood Terrace Senior Home
Alpharetta Rotaruy has an annual tradition to bring Santa to go meet the residents of Dogwood Terrace Senior Living. The Club prepares 80 gift baskets filled with nutritional snacks, fruit and games for the seniors to enjoy. Many of the residents do not have family and this is great way to spread holiday cheer.
Senior Services North Fulton
Alpharetta contributed $1500 to North Fulton Senior Services Meals on Wheels Program. We have several volunteers in the club who contribute to the program. We provide Meals on Wheels (MOW) to older adults who have difficulty grocery shopping or preparing meals for themselves. NFSS volunteers deliver nutritious meals to seniors Monday through Friday, and for those who need weekend meals, two additional meals will be delivered on Friday and may be kept in the refrigerator and heated over the weekend.
Service Above Self Award -- Officer Maurice Bradford
Officer Bradford receives the 2nd Annual Service Above Self Award for his work with in the community. Officer Bradford has exemplorary service while on patrol and is an exceptional Officer when dealing with citizens. Officer Bradford was nominated for the award because he started a youth outreach program at a local church. He was instrumentatl in creating a positive role model for the youth while breaking down barriers of mistrust with Law enforcement.
Special Pops Tennis March 4, 2017
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta will help sponsor the Special Pops Tennis Round Robin tournament which will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017. The Rotary Club members and the Special Pops Tennis Athletes will come together on the courts playing in 30 minute intervals. Each participating Rotary member will be paired with a Pops Athlete.
Sponsoring a Rotaractor from India to the RI Convention
Alpharetta Rotarians are working to bring a young man named Kobi all the way from India to attend the RI Convention in Atlanta and meet a family who has supported him for close to thirty years.
Alpharetta Rotarian, Bob Koncerak and his family began supporting Kobi Molsom since 1988 when Kobi was three years old. Kobi lives in the Tripura region of India, south of Burma. In the early years, they received crayon pictures, then emails and eventually facetime. The Club is helping raise the $3,000 needed to bring Kobi to the United States to attend that Convention and participate in vocational training in the areas of Finance and Microfinance lending.
Spotlight Recovery: Narcan Education
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta will support the Communities Addressing Addiction to organize a community showcase this Spring to show how Narcan can save the lives of friends and loved ones who are overdosing.
Our North Fulton Community is inside "The Triangle" were heroin deaths have risen 3844% in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties. In partnership with our Rotary Community Corps group, "Communities Addressing Addiction", we are trying to shed light on the topic, inform families on how to address addiction issues and save lives in the cases of overdoses.
Thanksgiving lunch with Seniors
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta sponsors an annual Thanksgiving celebration and meal with local senior citizens at the Alpharetta Senior Citizens Center. The event allows many of our seniors to share in a holiday tradition with other members of the community and Rotarians.
Troop Care Packages - December
Alpharetta Rotary Supports Troops with Care packages shipped to support our men and women in uniform
The most recent Alpharetta Day of Service was another great opportunity for our community to give back and get involved in our city. The Alpharetta Rotary again stepped up to the call, participating in the numerous service projects within our community.
Troop Care Packages - July
Alpharetta Rotary Supports Alpharetta Day of Service;
Care packages shipped to support our men and women in uniform
The most recent Alpharetta Day of Service was another great opportunity for our community to give back and get involved in our city. The Alpharetta Rotary again stepped up to the call, participating in the numerous service projects within our community.
USO - March
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta has a long history of service to our community. One of the most enduring facets of the club is its unwavering support of the men and women of our military. Each quarter between 6 Alpharetta Rotarians spent the day at the USO serving lunch and assisting service members passing through the airport. A full bar-b-que lunch is served complete with all the trimmings.
Veterans Day Tribute
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta and the city will host the second annual Veterans Day Tribute.
The event is slated for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at Brooke Street Park, which is located on the grounds of the new City Hall facility.
Veterans and their families will be honored at the ceremony, which will include remarks by Mayor David Belle Isle and Al Lipphardt, former state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Georgia.
Water Purification in the Dominican Republic
Alpharetta Rotary Partnered with the D6910 Johns Creek Rotary to complete the construction of a water house to serve the Dominican Republic’s eastern Third World villages (Bateys) that service the sugar cane fields, inhabited by Haitian immigrants.
YMCA Learning Library
A little summer reading break at the Y -- The Rotary Club of Alpharetta donates a book every week to the Y Learning Library. Over the past three years, we have donated 150 books to the program. Continually stocking the library allows books to be taken home by the kids where they can read it with their parents. This library has encouraged children to read, and parents to read to their children. For many families, a stop at the Sharing Library is one of their favorite activities at the Y.
Member Matching Grant Program
The Members Matching grant program helps the club build awareness of other great service organizations and empowers the members to increase their contribution to these great organizations. The Club currently contribute up to $1,000 to organizations through this grant process. In order to be qualified the nonprofit must be a 501(c)3 and their mission is shared with at least one of Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus. The Alpharetta Rotarian sponsoring the grant must be a member in good standing.
Adopt-a-Mile February
Alpharetta Rotary Road Warriors spend a Saturday Morning keeping the streets of Alpharetta Clean.
Alpharetta Rotary Packs the Room for Membership Month
As part of membership month, Alpharetta Rotary had each member invite an individual that they believe would make a good Alpharetta Rotarian a guest of the Club for the entire month of August. We packed the room during each meetings and it helped introduce community and business leaders to the ideals of Rotary. The campaign helped us continue grow with quality members.
Fall New Member Social
Alpharetta Rotary is an exciting club and has experienced a lot of growth over the past few years. In an effort to keep our small club feel, we have made a special effort to make sure our newer members feel welcomed.
Our Fall New Member Social was a time for the newer members to get to know some of the board members and committee leaders to share our different passions for service
Adopt-a-Mile August
The Rotary Road Warriors keeping Alpharetta beautiful!16 Alpharetta Rotarians and family members spent a Saturday morning cleaning the streets of our Beautiful City.
Albany and Southern D6900 Area Work Day
Rotarians and friends within the Albany and other southern areas of our district have been affected by a tornado which touched down on Monday night, January 2nd, 2016.
Alpharetta Rotary has already donated to the District Relief efforts for South Georgia but helping hands are also needed. The Rotary Club of Alpharetta and Alpharetta Presbyterian are partnering to send a volunteer "Chainsaw Crew" to help with the recovery response for the area. We will be sending volunteers from March through May and may extend the timeline if help is still needed.
Alpharetta Rotarians volunteer at STEM Career Club
Alpharetta Rotarians were the featured Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Career speakers at the third annual STEM Career Club event. These professionals, in a panel discussion format, answered questions from Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) students - sharing their passions and career journeys.
Alpharetta Rotary in the News
Alpharetta is a busy club and receives a lot of news coverage for the work that we do in the community.
Alpharetta Rotary Serving Humanity: Our Zone Video
How has the Alpharetta Rotary Club served Humanity? Watch this short video to see some of the projects that we have worked on throughout the year. This video was our submission to the zone for their contest.
Ambassador Program
The Ambassador program was designed to assist new members that have joined Alpharetta Rotary with the goal of feeling “Welcome” and to be “Engaged”. This has been beneficial for the 24 + New and Honorary members that have joined Alpharetta Rotary since 7/1/16.
Celebrating Gary George's 50 Years of Service in Uniform
In January, The Rotary Club of Alpharettarecognized Gary D. George, director of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, for his 50 years of service and leadership with a presentation during our January 27th meeting. Director George has been instrumental in connecting our First Responders to the Community and, in turn, connecting Alpharetta Rotary to the needs of Police and Firefighters.
Celebrating the Centennial: Major Donors and Bequest Society
Our Members generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation are essential to our service projects throughout the world. The Club rightly makes any new recognition achievement by our members a big deal for the club to celebrate. This shows appreciation to our Members for their commitment to the Foundation and also helps pave the way for other members to Dare to be Better!
Community Partner: City of Alpharetta
The City of Alpharetta has been a great partner with the Rotary Club of Alpharetta. They have helped us with our biggest fundraiser, the Mayor's Corporate Challenge. As a partner, we wanted to make sure that we supported the City's bigger fellowship events.
Economic Development in Bulembu
In 2001, the mining company that had built and operated Bulembu for more than 60 years, closed its doors and walked away. Abandoned by the mining industry, the 10,000 residents soon deserted the town in search of employment. At the same time, the country continued to be ravaged by the highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in the world and the resulting orphan crisis.
February New Member Social
Our newer members met with board members and committee heads to enjoy fellowship and share their passions for service. This is our way to help the newer members get involved with the club early on.
Foster Family Day at the Zoo
Alpharetta Rotary will team-up with the Isakson/Alpharetta Y to host FaithBridge Foster Care children and families for a day of fun at The Main Event. This is the second year providing an opportunity for Foster families to come together for a time to bond and enjoy a bit of respite. On April 29th, 5-7 Alpharetta Rotarians will meet 5-7 foster families and their foster and biological children at The Main Event (an entertainment complex in Alpharetta). The objective for the day is to interact with and have fun alongside the families, and to better understand their needs and challenges. This will assist in designing future programs to address their needs. The pictures provided below show the fun had during our trip to the Zoo last March.
GRSP Weekend
Alpharetta Rotary was this year's host for the GRSP Weekend put on by the North Fulton Rotary Council. This is a fun-filled weekend were Rotarians can get to know our GRSP Students and the students can tour the Atlanta Metro Weekend.
The weekend started with Alpharetta Rotary hosting a dinner and bonfire at Alpharetta Presbyterian. The students then spent Saturday at the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coke. Saturday evening was an all night "lock-in" at the Alpharetta YMCA filled with rock wall climbing, basketball, dancing and movies.
Homestretch - Spring Service Day
Spend three days deep cleaning an apartment painting and furnishing for a new Homestretch Family that will move into the program. We will also work with this new family as personal finance and life mentors.
Meals By Grace - March
On Sunday, March 19, Alpharetta Rotarians traveled to Midway United Methodist Church to help Forsyth County-based Meals By Grace and its volunteers set up various stations to sort clothing and food for the citizens they serve.
North Fulton Rotary Council
Alpharetta Rotary is part of the North Fulton Rotary Council. The Club has brought forward different projects for the clubs to collaborate together including:
- Habitat for Humanity Emergency Funding
- Jobs Program for Homestretch
- Global Grant for Neo Natal Medical Equipment
Public Safety K9 5k
Alpharetta Rotary is supporting our Public Safety Officers by volunteering to assist their K9 5k Race in March. Our help will let the officers enjoy the race festivities with the runners and families. The Club is working with the North Fulton Rotary Club who has also been a bug supporter of our Public Safety Officers and the Public Safety Foundation throughout the Rotary Year.
Recognizing Those Who Serve
As part of our Veterans Day tribute, the Club paid tribute to our Members who have served in the Military. PDG Al Lipphardt spoke to the club about the Warrior's Ethos. Afterwards we asked our Veterans to be recognized for their service to their country.
Rotaract Honorary Member
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta was the first club in District 6900 to welcome a Rotaractor as a Dual Member. North Fulton Rotaract's President, Tori Alterman, was named an Honrorary Member of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta.
Having her has an honorary member has helped both clubs stay connected through fellowship and service.
Rotary Afterhours with the Alpharetta Business Association
Alpharetta had a joint afterhours with Alpharetta Business Association to introduce each organization's members to each other. This was a good opportunity for membership growth for each organization.
The Alpharetta Business Association has now become a partner on our bigger project to improve the water quality of Foe Killer Creek.
RYLA
Alpharetta Rotary sponsored two students to RYLA last summer and looks forward to continuing support for The Youth Leadership Academy this year. The RYLA Graduates will again be invited to share their experience at a club meeting.
Vocational Speaker Series
Speaker Co-Chairs, William Perkins and Rob Johns, organized a Vocational Speaker Series to invite popular and entertaining individuals to discuss their vocation and passion. We had Cy Young Winners, state-wide politicians and local talent all share their talents and tips to success.
Weekly 50/50 Raffle
Alpharetta Rotary holds a 50/50 Raffle each week at the end of our meeting. Two tickets are drawn and the ticket-holders must select the Ace of Spades. The excitement grows as the deck gets thinner each week.
The proceeds for the Raffle go towards our GRSP program.
Welcoming Our Public Safety Director
On January 20th, Incoming Public Safety Director was Inducted as an Alpharetta Rotarian. Continuing as his predecessor, retiring Director Gary George, Chief Robison's presence will help the Club our Officers and it will help our Officers remain connected with our Community.
Wills Park Pavilion and Grill Relocation
Alpharetta Rotary will remove an existing grill at Wills Park away from the stream buffer and construct a new cooking area away from Foe Killer Creek. This will prevent further runoff that is polluting our stream.
The area will be used as an education area for the community. The renovated pavilion and cooking area will be enjoyed by 100's of people each year and the improvement around the stream will be appreciated by all park-goers.