by Ingrid Nova | Apr 7, 2015 | Awards
The East Lansing Rotary Club in conjunction with East Lansing High School are honored to announce March’s students of the month. Erin Ruark (freshman), and Anthony Petroff (sophomore) have been selected as February Students of the Month based upon criteria that include involvement in school activities, community service and their Grade Point Average (GPA). The purpose of the Award is to highlight young people who exemplify the values held in esteem by all Rotarians.
Erin Ruark was nominated by her Geometry Teacher. Erin is an excellent student both in and out of the classroom. She studies hard (aced her Geometry final – not many of us can say that!) – she loves to both read and write, is active in ISHALL, an accelerated English program offered through and at Michigan State University. Erin also plays the violin and can be heard singing in the chorus of East Lansing High School’s musical “The Wiz”. Erin has the opportunity to expand both her joy, and skill in writing through the writing club she is active in. When Erin isn’t busy, singing, writing, or reading you will find her active on a community project through dosomething.org.
Anthony Petroff is also a math whiz. Taking Algebra 2 as a sophomore puts Anthony ahead of the curve in his math curriculum. He is an all-around outstanding student with a 3.89 GPA. Anthony is a quiet leader. He knows when to work, he knows when to make suggestions, and he knows when and how to step up and help others. An example of this is his ability to take a tough subject like Math, and using “texting” lingo help his peers remember difficult logarithms. By placing difficult ideas and concepts into “lingo” that his peers can understand he is helping them improve their understanding of Algebra 2. In addition to applying himself to his studies, Anthony is a member of Christian Student Union (CSU) and a member of the East Lansing Football team.
Both young adults were asked who their favorite person was and they had a common answer. Both mentioned parents as that person(s) they looked up to most and appreciated them for the positive role they play in their respective lives. Anthony likes the idea of being a doctor or working in a medically related field, while Erin has her sights set on studying abroad, learning multiple languages, and helping this experience to shape what her future might hold.
If you happen to run into either Erin or Anthony in the next few weeks, thank them for their efforts and congratulate them both for being March’s East Lansing Rotary’s Students of the month.
by Ingrid Nova | Feb 7, 2015 | Community Service Ongoing, Events, Foundation and Fund Raising
The East Lansing Rotary Club is proud to be a supporter of the Weekend Survival Kits program. Now in its’ fifth year of operation, the Weekend Survival Kits program helps feed needy children in our area (most of whom receive free, or reduced-price meals at school) by providing them with a two-gallon bag filled with nutritional food every other Friday during the school year. A typical Weekend Survival Kit includes: pre-portioned crackers, soup, 100% fruit juice, pudding cups, mac and cheese, canned vegetables, pasta with protein, peanut butter, granola bars, fruit cups in plastic containers, single serve cereal boxes, fruit chews and oatmeal packets. Each “kit” is packed with enough food for up to 7 meals and 2 snacks to help feed a hungry child.
Participating Schools in Weekend Survival Kits Program
Last year (2013-14 school year), 26 different schools in nine different school districts, plus two other locations (Edgewood Village Network Center and the Parkwood YMCA) participated in the program. Overall 1,883 students were served by the WSK program, up from 1,181 the previous year and nearly 400 more students than the 1,500 student goal set for the 2013-14 school year.
Our goal this year is to reach 2,500 students. Currently, 11 school districts and 33 schools are participating, including: Dansville, Haslett, Holt (Hope), Okemos (Central, Hiawatha, Bennett, Cornell), Lansing (Attwood, Post Oak, REO, Riddle, Willow, North, Gardner, Gier Park), Ingham ISD (Heartwood), DeWitt (Herbison Woods, Schavey Road, Scott), Mason (Alaiedon, Steele, North Aurelius), Waverly, East Lansing (Donley, Pinecrest, Glencairn, Marble) and Williamston (Discovery, Middle School, High School, Explorer, Lil’ Hornets). Other participants include the after-school tutoring program at the Edgewood Village Network Center and the Parkwood YMCA Summer Program.
Community Partners also Supporting Weekend Survival Kits
Started by the Haslett-Okemos Rotary Club, the Weekend Survival Kits program continues to grow. Community partners currently include: Rotary Clubs in East Lansing, Haslett-Okemos and Delta-Waverly; Kiwanis Clubs in East Lansing, Okemos and Williamston; Mason Optimist Club; Jackson National Life, Kohl’s, East Lansing Masonic Lodge #480; Okemos Community Church; St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Haslett, the Joe D. Pentecost Foundation, and the R.E. Olds Foundation.
In 2013, the Many Hands Foundation became the fiduciary agent for the Weekend Survival Kits program and now coordinates the program’s food ordering, packing sessions and food kit deliveries.
Help close the food insecurity gap in our communities by voting in
the U Club’s “Big Bang-Quet Community Charity Challenge.”
Cast your $5 votes for the Weekend Survival Kits program
online between February 9 and March 24 at:
www.universityclubofmsu.org/theclubwithaheart
by Ingrid Nova | Sep 30, 2014 | New Members
David McNeilly recently introduced himself to the club in a new member talk. He spoke about his Father, who was a strong influence in his life, his wife who has supported him and the announcement that a new McNeilly is on the way! David is a Financial Adviser with Northwestern Mutual Insurance.
by Ingrid Nova | Sep 30, 2014 | New Members
Welcome to Kyle Cooper who is the newest member of the East Lansing Rotary Club. Kyle is a Financial Adviser with Financial Strategies Group in Okemos, MI. His sponsor is Dennis Rosenbrook. He lives in Lansing and will be a great asset to the club. If you have not met Kyle yet, please take the time to introduce yourself and get to know him.
by Ingrid Nova | Sep 26, 2014 | Events, Foundation and Fund Raising
The East Lansing Rotary Foundation will be hosting a Mud and Suds fundraiser on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 to benefit the Weekend Survival Kits program which provides food for hungry elementary school children across Ingham County. The “Mud and Suds fundraiser will be held at East Lansing’s Scene Metrospace (110 Charles St.) from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm and feature a special pottery demonstration by Jon Whitney, craft beers and savory hors de oeuvres. Pottery created by local artists will also be displayed and for sale at the event. Tickets are $50 per person and are available for purchase online at www.manyhandsmi.org
Started to Meet a Real Need
The Weekend Survival Kits (WSK) program was started five years ago to help meet the nutritional needs of mid-Michigan’s elementary school students, specifically on the weekends. The WSK program is focused on helping feed children – especially those who receive a free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch at school – by providing them with a “food pack” filled with nutritional food every other Friday during the school year. Food for the kits is acquired through the Greater Lansing Food Bank’s network, which means that $1 has the power to buy an equivalent of $10 of food at retail value. Each food “kit” costs about $5, and $100 sponsors one child for an entire school year. Last year (2013-14) the WSK program served over 1,800 elementary school children in Ingham County.
Program is Growing
As might be expected, the WSK program continues to grow as more families and schools learn about and join the program. As the program grows and the number of students served increases, the need for food, funds and volunteers increases as well. More information about the Weekend Survival Kits program and how you can help can be found at www.manyhandsmi.org or www.facebook.com/manyhandsmi. Contributions are always welcome and can be mailed directly to: Many Hands Foundation, 1288 W. Grand River Ave., Suite 400, Williamston, MI 48895. Many Hands in a 501 © 3, non-profit organization and serves as the fiduciary agent for the Weekend survival Kits program.
Erin Ruark was nominated by her Geometry Teacher. Erin is an excellent student both in and out of the classroom. She studies hard (aced her Geometry final – not many of us can say that!) – she loves to both read and write, is active in ISHALL, an accelerated English program offered through and at Michigan State University. Erin also plays the violin and can be heard singing in the chorus of East Lansing High School’s musical “The Wiz”. Erin has the opportunity to expand both her joy, and skill in writing through the writing club she is active in. When Erin isn’t busy, singing, writing, or reading you will find her active on a community project through dosomething.org.
Anthony Petroff is also a math whiz. Taking Algebra 2 as a sophomore puts Anthony ahead of the curve in his math curriculum. He is an all-around outstanding student with a 3.89 GPA. Anthony is a quiet leader. He knows when to work, he knows when to make suggestions, and he knows when and how to step up and help others. An example of this is his ability to take a tough subject like Math, and using “texting” lingo help his peers remember difficult logarithms. By placing difficult ideas and concepts into “lingo” that his peers can understand he is helping them improve their understanding of Algebra 2. In addition to applying himself to his studies, Anthony is a member of Christian Student Union (CSU) and a member of the East Lansing Football team.
