Candidates' Forums co-sponsored by Middlesex county's Rotary with
Kiwanis and Lions clubs, the NAACP and other local groups
Some of Our Other Service Projects
The Middlesex County Rotary Club is dedicated to helping people within the Middlesex community through a great variety of projects that involve fundraising, community service, and promoting educational opportunities for students locally and worldwide. Examples below illustrate some of our many projects.
COVID-Safety Support for Middlesex Schools
Past-President Barry Thomas and recent Past Treasurer Janet Riggs presenting Claudia Soucek, Middlesex County Public Schools (MCPS) Board Chair, and Dr. Peter Gretz, former Superintendent of MCPS, with a $3300 grant from the Middlesex Rotary Club to acquire professional, medical-grade thermometers for the schools. Dr. Gretz's remarks at this event included the following: “Health screenings are an important and required part of our reopening health plan, and the ability to get accurate data is critical to maintaining safe and healthy school buildings. We are so grateful to the Middlesex Rotary Club for providing high quality, hospital-grade thermometers for each school and for the ongoing, thriving partnership with them."
Past-President Barry Thomas and recent Past Treasurer Janet Riggs presenting Claudia Soucek, Middlesex County Public Schools (MCPS) Board Chair, and Dr. Peter Gretz, former Superintendent of MCPS, with a $3300 grant from the Middlesex Rotary Club to acquire professional, medical-grade thermometers for the schools. Dr. Gretz's remarks at this event included the following: “Health screenings are an important and required part of our reopening health plan, and the ability to get accurate data is critical to maintaining safe and healthy school buildings. We are so grateful to the Middlesex Rotary Club for providing high quality, hospital-grade thermometers for each school and for the ongoing, thriving partnership with them."
Super Tech Rotarian of the Year - Notable Example of a Servant's Heart
Huge thanks to Greg Grichtmeier, our resident technology expert par excellence pictured here with his wife, Kara, receiving our 2020-21 Rotarian of the Year Award from Jim Knupp. Thanks to Greg we also continue Zoom options for those unable to join in person and have resumed involving special guest speakers remotely using Zoom.
But most of all Greg is widely recognized by many residents of Middlesex community for his vast technology expertise and tireless generous volunteer service. Greg has helped numerous others with not only their technology challenges but also other needs.
Huge thanks to Greg Grichtmeier, our resident technology expert par excellence pictured here with his wife, Kara, receiving our 2020-21 Rotarian of the Year Award from Jim Knupp. Thanks to Greg we also continue Zoom options for those unable to join in person and have resumed involving special guest speakers remotely using Zoom.
But most of all Greg is widely recognized by many residents of Middlesex community for his vast technology expertise and tireless generous volunteer service. Greg has helped numerous others with not only their technology challenges but also other needs.
Thanksgiving Baskets
Middlesex Rotary members packing baskets of food for delivery before Thanksgiving 2021 to deserving families identified by the Middlesex County Social Services.
Middlesex Rotary members packing baskets of food for delivery before Thanksgiving 2021 to deserving families identified by the Middlesex County Social Services.
Coat Drive
As in past years, our last Coat Drive was a huge success! Shown here are some of our members with Rebecca Morgan, Director of Middlesex County Social Services (front row, second from left), along with some of our 300+ donated children's and adult coats, sweaters, hats, scarves and gloves. Hands Across Middlesex received the other half of our donated items. |
Habitat for Humanity
President Steve Gahan presents a $5,000 donation check from the Middlesex Rotary Charitable Foundation Inc. to Jackie Wake, president of Habitat for Humanity of Middlesex County, in support of that group's efforts to provide a path to home ownership for Middlesex residents and decent and affordable housing in the county. Middlesex Rotary Club members joining in the ceremony include, from left, Treasurer Janet Riggs, member Gary Cook, Past President Stan Coloff, and member Ann de Peyster. The presentation ceremony was at Habitat's 14th house in Middlesex under construction at Habitat Haven on Melton Way in Syringa. (3-4-21 Southside Sentinel photo by Tom Chillemi) |
Financial Assistance to First Responders
sMiddlesex County Rotary Club presenting checks totaling $2,020 to representatives of the four county Volunteer Fire Departments and the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad at the Urbanna Fire Station. The donations represented the net proceeds of the Rotary Club’s 2020 Fourth of July Flags for Heroes display in Hartfield which was dedicated to assisting these five organizations.
sMiddlesex County Rotary Club presenting checks totaling $2,020 to representatives of the four county Volunteer Fire Departments and the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad at the Urbanna Fire Station. The donations represented the net proceeds of the Rotary Club’s 2020 Fourth of July Flags for Heroes display in Hartfield which was dedicated to assisting these five organizations.
Flags for Heros
Our club has held these highly successful charity fundraising events since 2017. American flags are available for sponsorship over Memorial Day and Veteran's Day weekends and sometimes over the July 4 weekend. Depending on the holiday, flag sponsorships honor military service veterans, first responders, and others who have selflessly served family, community and country. Since our first Flags for Heroes event on Veteran's Day 2017, net proceeds have supported charitable activities and causes within Middlesex County through the Middlesex Rotary Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Our club has held these highly successful charity fundraising events since 2017. American flags are available for sponsorship over Memorial Day and Veteran's Day weekends and sometimes over the July 4 weekend. Depending on the holiday, flag sponsorships honor military service veterans, first responders, and others who have selflessly served family, community and country. Since our first Flags for Heroes event on Veteran's Day 2017, net proceeds have supported charitable activities and causes within Middlesex County through the Middlesex Rotary Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Pride of Middlesex Dinners
The Pride of Middlesex Award was established in 1997 by the Vocational Services Committee of the Middlesex Rotary Club. This award is given to an individual, family or organization in the county that has made an exceptional contribution, giving “Service Above Self” to Middlesex County, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or to the nation. Past recipients include the Middlesex Volunteer Rescue Squads, Louise Gray, Sherman Holmes, Middlesex Volunteer Fire Departments, Ruth Barr, Tom Hardin, Joe Fears, Charles Bristow, Jack Fackler and Hands Across Middlesex, Rachel Bridger and Ruby Lee Norris, Dave and Linda Cryer, Aubrey and Margie Hall, Charles and Sallie Gayle Revere, Norton Hurd, Chauncey Mann, Edward P. Harrow Sr., Larry Chowning, Bettie Lee and Fred Gaskins, the Middlesex YMCA in Hartfield, Carlton Revere, and Greg Chambers.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from offering this annual event from 2020 through 2022. As you might imagine we were tremendously excited to be able to finally resume honoring our finest citizens in April 2023!
The Pride of Middlesex Award was established in 1997 by the Vocational Services Committee of the Middlesex Rotary Club. This award is given to an individual, family or organization in the county that has made an exceptional contribution, giving “Service Above Self” to Middlesex County, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or to the nation. Past recipients include the Middlesex Volunteer Rescue Squads, Louise Gray, Sherman Holmes, Middlesex Volunteer Fire Departments, Ruth Barr, Tom Hardin, Joe Fears, Charles Bristow, Jack Fackler and Hands Across Middlesex, Rachel Bridger and Ruby Lee Norris, Dave and Linda Cryer, Aubrey and Margie Hall, Charles and Sallie Gayle Revere, Norton Hurd, Chauncey Mann, Edward P. Harrow Sr., Larry Chowning, Bettie Lee and Fred Gaskins, the Middlesex YMCA in Hartfield, Carlton Revere, and Greg Chambers.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from offering this annual event from 2020 through 2022. As you might imagine we were tremendously excited to be able to finally resume honoring our finest citizens in April 2023!
Rotary Progressive Dinner proceeds Benefit “Kids First”
All proceeds of our most recent annual dinner benefit the Kids First Foundation. The Kids First program of Lancaster and Middlesex public schools engages expert teachers with decades of experience to give intensive attention to children at a stage when their brains are still rapidly developing to help them achieve the socialization and learning skills needed to be successful in school, work, and life.
Kids First Foundation (“Kids First”) is a non-profit organization established by citizens of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia who are concerned that many of our at-risk three-year-old children do not have the same opportunity to benefit from Early Childhood learning and nutrition programs that are afforded children in larger, more affluent metropolitan areas. Kids First is targeting expansion of high quality early preschool opportunities for three-year-olds throughout Lancaster, Middlesex, Mathews and Northumberland counties.
All proceeds of our most recent annual dinner benefit the Kids First Foundation. The Kids First program of Lancaster and Middlesex public schools engages expert teachers with decades of experience to give intensive attention to children at a stage when their brains are still rapidly developing to help them achieve the socialization and learning skills needed to be successful in school, work, and life.
Kids First Foundation (“Kids First”) is a non-profit organization established by citizens of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia who are concerned that many of our at-risk three-year-old children do not have the same opportunity to benefit from Early Childhood learning and nutrition programs that are afforded children in larger, more affluent metropolitan areas. Kids First is targeting expansion of high quality early preschool opportunities for three-year-olds throughout Lancaster, Middlesex, Mathews and Northumberland counties.
College Nursing Scholarship Program
The Chuck Ylonen Memorial Rotary Scholarship in Nursing award is sponsored annually by the Middlesex County Rotary Club. It is designed to cover all program expenses for a student in the Associate Degree in Nursing program at Rappahannock Community College. Recipients must reside in or have strong ties to Middlesex County and may be in their first or second year of the program. Minimum GPA requirements must be met, and preference is given to full-time students demonstrating financial need and good citizenship. This award is named after the late Rotary District 760 Governor Charles S. “Chuck” Ylonen. With disease prevention and treatment among the highest priory focus areas of Rotary, the Middlesex Club is both pleased and proud to be able to assist worthy nursing students to complete their training. A major fundraising effort involving a raffle occurs each spring, so be on the lookout for opportunities to buy tickets from Middlesex Rotarians. Please consider helping us to support this worthy cause! Check with your local school guidance counselor for more information.
The Chuck Ylonen Memorial Rotary Scholarship in Nursing award is sponsored annually by the Middlesex County Rotary Club. It is designed to cover all program expenses for a student in the Associate Degree in Nursing program at Rappahannock Community College. Recipients must reside in or have strong ties to Middlesex County and may be in their first or second year of the program. Minimum GPA requirements must be met, and preference is given to full-time students demonstrating financial need and good citizenship. This award is named after the late Rotary District 760 Governor Charles S. “Chuck” Ylonen. With disease prevention and treatment among the highest priory focus areas of Rotary, the Middlesex Club is both pleased and proud to be able to assist worthy nursing students to complete their training. A major fundraising effort involving a raffle occurs each spring, so be on the lookout for opportunities to buy tickets from Middlesex Rotarians. Please consider helping us to support this worthy cause! Check with your local school guidance counselor for more information.
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Activities Supporting Schools and Early Education Programs in our Community
Middlesex Club Rotarians...
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Club members and Middlesex Elementary School students at the 2019 annual dictionary giveaway. Look at those smiling students each proudly showing off their very own personal dictionary!
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Road Clean Up
We continue to be involved in periodic cleanup of roadside litter that accumulates along Rt. 622/Dirt Bridge Road in Topping. Join us in helping to keep Middlesex County beautiful!
We continue to be involved in periodic cleanup of roadside litter that accumulates along Rt. 622/Dirt Bridge Road in Topping. Join us in helping to keep Middlesex County beautiful!
New Gen Peacebuilders
Middlesex Rotary is very pleased to have co-sponsored the first NewGen Peacebuilders program in the tidewater area. Partnering with other nearby Rotary clubs, during January through March 2018, this program offered local high school students an opportunity to expand their horizons and grow in a multitude of ways through this amazing program.
Middlesex Rotary is very pleased to have co-sponsored the first NewGen Peacebuilders program in the tidewater area. Partnering with other nearby Rotary clubs, during January through March 2018, this program offered local high school students an opportunity to expand their horizons and grow in a multitude of ways through this amazing program.