The Olathe Rotary Club is one of 32,000 local chapters which are located in 200 countries. Rotary International is the first service club, and at 102, best described by its motto: Service Above Self. We govern by asking ourselves 4 questions:
Rotary is a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and talents in service to philanthropic projects locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Since its inception, Rotary has proudly stepped forward to encourage initiatives that transcend politics and promote the common good. It was Rotary that, in 1942, called for an international peace conference that later became the United Nations. Rotarians have worked to provide clean water and sustainable food sources in developing countries; promoted literacy; and championed medical care for all. In 2002, Rotary began partnering with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the US Centers for Disease Control in bold effort to eradicate polio. Today, the number of polio cases worldwide has declined an amazing 99%.
Rotary began in Olathe in 1937. The Olathe Rotary Club has distinguished itself, and received Rotary International recognition, for some of its projects: rebuilding a school in Belize, reconstructing a fish market destroyed by hurricane Hugo in St. Croix, starting what became Heart to Heart International, supporting local youth activities and organizations, the arts, innumerable charities, and student scholarships. Over 90% of our charitable giving is for children and youth who have needs.
Olathe Rotarians are part of 1.2 million other Rotarians worldwide who are working to serve other, promote ethical business practices, and foster international understanding and goodwill.
DEB’S HOUSE AND ELIZABETH’S KIDS
If the world was fair, none of the children living in Deb’s House would be there. Deb Murphy-Scheumann opened the house in 2000 for babies waiting on paperwork to be completed, that would lead them to adoptive homes in the Kansas City Area.
But when the government of Romania closed international adoption in 2003, the children were left with no place to go. So, for the past 6 years, a small group of devoted friends, has been raising funds to raise the kids together in that temporary house that, out of necessity, became a home. When Deb Murphy-Scheumann became extremely ill, Elizabeth Alex became their cheerleader and support system.
With no government assistance from Romania, all funds are raised here. Friends of Deb’s house provide everything from milk and eggs to cabbage and meant, to toothpaste, water electricity and heat.
HEART TO HEART, INTERNATIONAL
In 1992, Dr. Gary Morsch(and volunteers from his local Rotary Club)ignited Kansas City’s community spirit around a medical airlift to aid hurting people in Russia.
After asking government officials for support, the volunteer group learned that the State Department would supply a C-5 Galaxy cargo plane. The “Heart to Heart Airlift” gained national momentum as pharmaceutical companies donated much-needed medicines and helped fill the plane. In May 1992, the aircraft landed in Moscow and the 75 tons of relief supplies were distributed in Moscow and surrounding areas. At the time, it was the largest volunteer project in U.S. history.
That initial project gave birth to one of America’s most efficient charities that today is improving health in more than 60 countries, including the United States. We continue to be motivated by the same principles that guided that first group of visionaries.
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
What is AVID?
AVID is a nationally-recognized, research-based program aligned with The College Board and implemented to prepare students in the academic middle for four-year college access and success. These students are from groups that are generally under-represented in university programs and are students who are capable of and committed to completing a high school college-prep curriculum. The students are typically the first in their families to attend college.
Students are recommended by their teachers to participate and complete an application and interview process. Parent involvement and commitment to the program are also an integral component of AVID participation.
AVID curriculum is delivered during a one hour elective class that supports students as they tackle the most rigorous classes.