About The Eatonton messenger. (Eatonton, Ga.) 18??-current | View Entire Issue (June 12, 2025)
C6 | THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025 The Eatonton Alessenger »|www.msqmews.com] Rotary Club named District 6910 Club of the Year The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties has once again been recognized as the Medium Sized Club of the Year for Rotary District 6910, marking an unprec edented eighth consecu tive year of receiving the district’s highest honor. The announcement was made at the recent annual District 6910 Confer ence, where Rotary Club President Martha Franks accepted the award on behalf of the club. “Year after year, the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties sets a gold standard in leader ship, community impact, and member engage ment,” Rotary District Governor Bobby Hildreth said. “Their dedication to ‘Service Above Self is evident in everything they do.” Service projects The club has been recog nized for several signature service projects, including: Second Harvest: Many families in Greene and Putnam counties expe rience food insecurity. The Rotary Club provides food for needy families in Greene County every third Saturday of the month. Over two million pounds of food have been distributed since the inception of the program more than fifteen years ago. In addition, over 200 SECRETS OF ANCIENT EGYPT - NEW DISCOVERIES A ROYAL EVENING WITH DR. ZAHI HAWASS THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS ARCHAEOLOGIST USA & CANADA LECTURE TOUR MAY - AUGUST 2025 Atlanta, GA: June 14 THE TIME TO REVEAL THE SECRETS OF ANCIENT EGYPT HAS FINALLY COME! EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEW GROUNDBREAKING DISCOVERIES THAT WILL BE REVEALED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME! K-4th graders go home every Friday during the school year with a small nutritious backpack meal to ensure that they have food available over the weekend. The club also partners with several other local churches and organizations to support Our Father’s Kitchen, a weekly soup kitchen, at Greensboro Methodist Church - Lake Oconee, providing hot meals and fellowship for those in need. Shoes 4 Kids: Bian- nually, the Rotary Club provides shoes, socks, and books to 130 underprivi leged children in Greene and Putnam counties. The students are treated to a shopping trip at Shoe Carnival in Augusta, complete with a Chick- fil-A breakfast. With the help of Rotarians and volunteers, each child selects new shoes, socks, and abook. Books 4 Kids: Many of the children in the community go to preschool or kindergarten without the prerequisite knowledge and skills to be successful. Many have never had a book read to them. The Rotary Club provides volunteers and resources aimed at putting books in the hands of underserved children and their caregivers. To date, more than 2,000 books have been distributed to children ages 10 and younger. Pets Love Vets: Recog nizing the powerful CONTRIBUTED L-R: Jennifer Pennington, Rich Panyik, Rick Siddons, District Governor Bobby Hildreth, Club President Martha Franks, Donna O'Neal, and Mike O'Neal. PEOPLE or ACTION Rotary MEDIUM CLUB ofthe YEAR PRESENTING SPONSOR Wilholt Gas S-THURS $125 PER CHILD AGES 7-12 bond between humans and animals, Pets Love Vets enables veterans to adopt a shelter dog or cat at no cost. The Rotary Club covers all adoption expenses, helping veterans find companionship while giving shelter animals a loving home. Since the program began, it has successfully placed nearly 190 pets with veterans. Student of the Month: Each month during the school year, the club recog nizes exemplary students from each of the five local high schools in Greene and Putnam counties. The club invites them, their most influential teachers, and their families to a Rotary meeting to give the students and teachers plaques and publicly recognize them for their excellent performance. A $1,500 scholarship is awarded annually for further education to one student from each of the local high schools. International Service: One of the most dedicated Rotarians leads impactful global outreach through her work with Alliance for Smiles, supported in part by the club. She writes grants and joins interna tional medical missions that bring life-changing cleft lip and palate surgeries to underserved communities around the world. Beyond the surgeries themselves, she also helps establish long- term treatment centers and trains local medical teams in U.S.-standard cleft care protocols — ensuring lasting impact well after each mission ends. Environmental Service: The Rotary Club is committed to envi ronmental stewardship. Among the club’s notable projects last year were the installation of osprey nesting platforms to support local bird popula tions and the repurposing of used Christmas trees to enhance fish habitats in Lake Oconee. These efforts reflect the club's dedication to preserving and enhancing the natural resources that are vital to the local ecosystem. Community and youth projects The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties remains deeply committed to supporting local youth, veterans, and underserved families through a wide range of hands-on service initia tives, including: U.S. Flag Retirement Program: For the past 17 years, the club has honored the American flag by collecting and properly retiring over 3,000 worn or damaged flags, in partnership with local Scout troops and the Lake Oconee Elks, who conduct formal disposal ceremonies. Meals on Wheels: Club members support the local Meals on Wheels program by delivering meals weekly to home- bound residents who might otherwise go without proper nutrition. EarlyAct at Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club: A service club designed for elementary LAKE Pets of the Week OC NEE For more information - 706-454-1508 HUMANE society 1020 Park Ave. #101, Greensboro, GA WITH MARK THE MAGIC MAN Meet Postman Bob — the coolest cat in town with a strut Festival Hall 201 North Main Street, Greensboro, GA 50642 Tickets: FestivalHallGA.Com ON EVENING WITH Wilhoit Gas Company Est. 1946 Juturna LOVE YOUR WATER ASA StateFarm AGENCY MYSTERY, MAGIC, 6 ILLUSION A PORTION OF ALL PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT THE APPLING COUNTY SPECIAL OLYMPICS JULY 10 THUR. 7 PM re ^ TIRE ONE FESTIVAL HALL 201 N. MAIN ST GREENSBORO GA 30642 TICKETS $400 VIP TABLE - SEATS UP TO I $200 PREMIUM TABLE - SEATS 4 $20 - GENERAL ADMISSION (12&UP) $10 - GENERAL ADMISSION (11 A UNDER) COMPLETE AUTOCARE MARKTHEMAGICMAN.COM Care For Your RET Bear is a sweet, playful pup who’s been waiting far too long for his forever home. He lives for outings and absolutely loves yard play—it's his happy place! With a heart full of love and a tail that never stops wagging, Bear is ready to share his joy with a family who will finally call him theirs. Lohspets.org that stops traffic and a purr that soothes souls. Known for making his daily rounds like clockwork, Bob delivers head boops, good vibes, and a whole lot of charm. Whether he's lounging in a sunny window or checking on the neighborhood from his perch on the catio. Postman Bob always brings a special delivery ofjoy.pispets.org] Join Our Cause! Become a Volunteer With LOHS! *90$*0 Volunteers are the lifeline of the LOHS, playing a crucial role in our daily operations and overall mission. Their dedication and hard work enable us to save the lives of countless animals, providing them with the care and attention they need. Volunteers assist in everyday care tasks that help ensure that our animals find loving homes. Additionally, their efforts help us support pet owners in keeping their animals, offering resources and assistance to maintain happy, healthy homes. Without our volunteers, we simply couldn’t achieve the level of impact we do in the community. Visit LOHSpets.org today for more Information! LAKE OC NEE HUMANE SOCIETY school students, EarlyAct instills the values of lead ership and community service from a young age. Interact Clubs in Local High Schools: Interact empowers youth ages 12-18 to engage in meaningful service and develop leadership skills guided by Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self.” Rotary Youth Lead ership Awards (RYLA): This summer, the club sponsored five high school students to attend the RYLA camp in scenic Tallulah Falls. Laws of Life Essay Contest: A state-wide character education program, this annual contest encourages high school students to explore ethical values and life lessons. Top essays are honored with awards and public recognition. Four-Way Test Essay Contest: Students explore the principles of Rotary’s Four-Way Test in this annual writing competi tion, promoting ethical thinking and integrity. Georgia Rotary Student Program: The club sponsors an inter national student ambas sador who spends the academic year studying at the University of Georgia. The program advances cultural understanding and social experiences through friendship, develops potential global leaders, and expands the ideals of Rotary around the world. Musical Instrument Installations: The club installed interactive outdoor musical instru ments at Butterflies & Blooms in the Briar Patch Habitat and Harmony Crossing Park, offering creative expression and fun for families and visi tors of all ages. Beds for Kids Program: In collabo ration with Neighbors Helping Neighbors, the club helps ensure that no child in the community has to sleep on the floor by providing much-needed beds for kids. “This recognition is a testament to the tire less efforts of our Club members, partners, and community supporters,” Franks said. “We are deeply honored and more inspired than ever to keep serving and strengthening our communities.” For more information on the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties and its programs, visit gree- neputnamrotary.org, — Contributed MADISON MORGAN CULTURAL CENTER CLICK TO LEARN MORE! ( (
