Alpharetta Rotary Recognizes New Paul Harris Fellows to Club

From Alpharetta Rotary: Alpharetta Rotary has 124 members with a total Rotary Foundation giving of over $88,486 in this fiscal year to date. The annual fund per capita giving from the club has grown by 10.7% from the previous year to $637 per member. The Paul Harris Fellow program recognizes Rotarians who give $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Paul Harris, attorney in Chicago, started Rotary in Chicago on February 23, 1905. Rotary was established so that professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships and give back to their communities.

On Friday, March 17, Alpharetta Rotary recognized 11 new Paul Harris Fellows (members & family): Ralph Aquera, Bobbi Blades, Carla Breakwell, Suellen Daniels, Kerry Desmond, Bob Koncerak, Casey Robinson, Katie Rocco, Charlie Schuetz, and Dwayne Waxer. A Paul Harris Fellow may also be awarded to honor a non-Rotarian who exhibits the character and servant leadership of its namesake. On this day, Scott Doll bestowed a Paul Harris Fellow on his son, Ryan Doll.

Nationally, the first contribution to the Rotary Foundation was $26.50 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City. The Rotary Club of Alpharetta celebrated that first contribution with over $265,000 in impact for the following Rotary Global Grants:

1. $62,000 with the Rotary Club of Quevedo, Ecuador for to replace aging neonatal medical equipment for their local hospital. Alpharetta Rotary partnered with the Columbus, Johns Creek, Milton-Windward, Marietta Metro, North Fulton and Sandy Springs Clubs to purchase much-needed incubators, phototherapy lamps, heart monitors.
2. Alpharetta was also the lead international partner for a second Global Grant for $99,000. Partnering with the Rotarians for Family Health & Aids Awareness (RFHA) to provide a Health Day in Indore India to treat 50,000 individuals.
3. Alpharetta was the lead contributor for a $75,000 global grant with Marietta Metro for a hospital in Mexico.
4. With District and Rotary Foundation matching, Alpharetta contributed an additional $35,000 in impact by participating in the Hurricane Matthew and Kilifi Grants. (including District and Rotary Foundation Matching)

Alpharetta Rotary also celebrates a number of milestones which make the club and its members giving persons within the community:

• EREY Club
• Paul Harris Society members has grown to 24
• Four new Benefactors
• Jason Binder, Kirk Driskell and Mark Orr became Major Donors
• John and Karen Hipes achieved Major Donor L2
• Inaugural Paul Harris Oyster Roast for all members who have contributed $1,000 or more to the Foundation was a great success and well attended by our members, spouses and District Dignitaries

The Rotary Club of Alpharetta President, Jason Binder, stated, “Alpharetta Rotarians have huge hearts. They love to give back not only to the community and its needs, but they also give to projects that affect us globally. The money that is contributed to the Paul Harris Fellow program is used wisely to help others who aren’t able to totally help themselves. Becoming a Paul Harris Fellow member is a perfect example of demonstrating the Alpharetta Rotary Club’s Motto, “Service Above Self”.”

Rotary Club of Alpharetta

The Alpharetta Rotary Club was chartered on March 23, 1983. Its membership is comprised of approximately 115 men and women representing a broad base of business and professional activities in our community. We are committed to making our community, both locally and worldwide, a better place for all of us to live. We meet every Friday morning at 7:15 AM for breakfast, fellowship and a program with speakers from the academic, business, professional, political and entertainment arenas of metro Atlanta. Visit us on the web at www.alpharettarotary.com

Photos courtesy of Alpharetta Rotary