Candace’s Region Rotary Round-Up: Merrillville

Candace’s Region Rotary Round-Up: Merrillville

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad. Over the years, Rotarians have taken on global causes ranging from literacy and peace to water and health, but most often, it is the work done locally that has the greatest impact on you, the community members reading this article.

Local initiatives such as scholarships for high school students, cleaning up of local parks and gifts of time, talent and treasure to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations are all the foundation of the Club’s motto: “Service Above Self”

Lifer, Candace Arvin, joined the efforts of the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club in 2015 as a way to give back to the community she grew up in. Today, she brings you the region’s Rotary Round-Up to shine a light on all the great things happening at Clubs in and around NW Indiana!

Here’s your Rotary Recap:

Much thanks to Cynthia Henderson of the Merrillville Rotary Club for reaching out to me about highlighting a very important initiative that her club is a part of! This year marks the 14th annual Clothing Our Children project which provides winter clothes for underprivileged children in the school systems of: Crown Point, Hobart, Lake Station, Merrillville, and Ross Township. The need has risen drastically since the project was first launched back in 2004.

According to the 2015 Indiana Department of Education Statistics, there are close to 9,000 children across the aforementioned school districts that receive free and reduced lunch who could also benefit from an initiative such as this one. The Merrillville Rotary Club depends on local businesses, educators, Hobart Kiwanis, and people like YOU to bring this idea to life.

On Sunday, November 5th, the Rotary Club will host their 14th annual Clothing Our Children fundraising event at the Avalon Banquet Center in Merrillville from 1-4pm. Tickets are $25 per person and can be obtained by calling 219-771-5884. There will be tastings of beer, wine, ales, microbrews, and food from local eateries as well as silent and live auctions.

Rotary-Merrillville-1In the past 13 years, the campaign has touched the lives of over 4,650 children by raising an incredible $350,000! This year’s recipients will be selected by the school system and a $75 voucher will be given to the parent(s) – vouchers are only valid for children’s winter apparel and this year extra vouchers have been added for siblings.

How to get involved:

  • Provide a themed basket for silent auction bidding
  • Donate a unique package for live auction bidding – sporting event tickets, a weekend get-away, etc.
  • Purchase tickets by calling 219-771-5884
  • Make a monetary donation at https://www.gofundme.com/coc2015 or by mailing to Merrillville Rotary Club Charities, Inc. P.O. Box 11001 Merrillville, IN 46411

rotary-merillville-4Much thanks to Club President, James Larson and event chairs Cynthia Henderson, Ana Grandfield, and Tom Kayes for allowing me to share your GOOD news!

The Merrillville Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at 12:15pm at Asparagus Restaurant located at 7876 Broadway in Merrillville.