Dear Fellow Charlotte North Rotarians,

 

Thank you for your continued support in selecting me as your President for

Charlotte North Rotary for the 2024-2025 Club Year. This year is meaningful to us as

it marks the 72nd anniversary of our Club.

 

We should be proud of the accomplishments, the meaningful impact on the lives

of the many we have served through the years, and the passion and teamwork

within our Club. We are fortunate to have a very strong board of directors who

are striving to have a notable year.

 

Here are some of our planned activities for the year:

 

1. Charlotte North will be applying for three district Grants: 1) for Opera Xpress at Hidden Valley, 2) for Cribs for Kids in partnership with Heal Charlotte, and 3) Samaritan's Feet. We will probably be notified in late Summer if these grants are approved by the district.

 

2. We will again be engaged with partners, some old and some new for

various service activities.

• Hidden Valley Elementary School: Our year begins with the collection of school supplies in August. It is appreciated if you could purchase the suggested supplies to support this school.

• We also are partnering with Opera Carolina to provide Opera Xpress at Hidden Valley, a program that has been postponed the last few years. The students truly enjoy this enrichening experience.

• Cribs for Kids: A renewed partnership, founded by Judy Bannon, a Rotarian

       with the South Side Rotary Club (Pittsburgh) who were early supporters

       of that organization in 1998. Founded in 1998, this nonprofit is dedicated to providing         Infant Safe Sleep Education to community members and Safe Sleep Environments       

      (portable cribs for families in need). Each year 3,500 babies die in their sleep. These 

      deaths are classified as SUID, (Sudden Unexpected Infant Death). Some of

       these deaths are due to SIDS, (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the cause

       of SIDS remains unknown. SIDS is a sub-category of SUID. Many

       infant deaths are due to suffocation or strangulation while in unsafe sleep

       environments. As a club, we will be disseminating information to our members on   

       how to become a Sleep Ambassador, and then proceed working with our other

       partners. CNR will also participate in the Annual "Breath of Life Stroll at Independence

       Park to raise funds for Cribs for Kids. Please visit cribsforkids.org to learn more about

       their programs.

 

3. Adventures in Dining!: we will be holding a monthly (the last Monday

of a month) social dining adventure. Please join us for fellowship and

fun.  We will also hold an in person meeting and social event at The Rusty Bucket Restaurant in South Charlotte each first Monday of the month.

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4. Samaritan's Feet: CNR will partner with Rotary District 7680 to acquire and distribute 1000 pairs of shoes to needy children at Title 1 Schools.  CNR will focus its efforts for Hidden Valley Elementary School.  For each pair of shoes donated, a matching pair will be donated to children in Africa.

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5. 44th Annual Community Service Above Self Awards: In April, CNR will award a certificate and honorarium to four first responders -- Police Officer, Firefighter, Healthcare Worker, and Teacher of the Year.  We want to recognize the contributions these organizations and individuals make to improving the quality of life in Charlotte.

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But wait….there is always more…..

 

Our meetings will be on Zoom during the second and third Mondays of each month, so please check the calendar for speakers. We hope to include activities with Heal Charlotte and will keep you posted as they develop.

 

Thank you for your continued participation, energy and passion for our Club.

Let us embrace life as active participants and make a difference for the

organization we support including our community as a whole.

​

Kim Darden

President

Charlotte North Rotary Club