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2012 Fruit Sale Kickoff 
Warren Callaway (from left) and Christine Wildauer, co-chairs of the "Taste of Florida Fruit Sale" learn about the process of food distribution from Fiona Allison at the West Chester Food Cupboard, while Charles Strietweiser looks on. The co-chairs and some members of the Community Philanthropic Committee visited the food cupboard, which will be recipient of fruit sale proceeds this year. The annual event kicked off Thursday, January 19th. To heighten participation, club members have been divided into two teams: the "flour" team (headed up by Warren) and the "flower" team (headed up by Christine). The competition is already heating up. SELL FRUIT!! 2011 Poinsettia Sale 
(Left) CJ Romanowski sits among the hundreds of poinsettia plants that were sold during the annual sale to benefit Operation Warm Coats. (Right) New Rotarian Judy Bell gets a hand loading poinsettias in her car from CJ Romanowski, chair of this year's annual Rotary Poinsettia Sale. CJ and his committee doubled the funds raised by this year's sale, which benefits Operation Warm Coats, providing new, winter coats for school children. Ringing the Bells for the Salvation Army 2011 
Good Morning rotary bell ringers, rotary musicians, and rotary doggie mascots and club members,
What a fabulous day of service we had yesterday ringing the bells for the Salvation Army. The sunny weather was a real treat this year. Thank you all for participating in this uplifting and fun hour of Rotary fellowship.
Seeing the small children eager to be the ones to drop a dollar or a few pennies into the bucket is always priceless and my favorite part of the day. Kudos to all those parents. That's how the seeds of service get planted.
ROTARY READERS RECOGNIZED Rotary Readers chairperson, Chris McCawley, recently recognized club and family members who participated this past year in reading weekly to children in area elementary schools. Among those recognized are (from left) Dwight McCawley, Marjorie Wentz, Jack Wintermute, Faith Woodward, Glen Jensen, Janet Wintermute, Jeannie McGinn, David Wood, Ed Malet, Bob Poole, and Bill Ronayne. Other participants (not pictured) include Bob Struble, Terry McGrath, Paul Woodruff, Craig and Sandy Kalemjian, Leslie Streitwieser, Gerry Olszewski, Tricia Johnson, Patty Jefferis and Victoria Dow. 
FRUIT SALE PROCEEDS TO FRIENDS Club President Bill Ronayne (left) and Elizabeth Guman (right), co-chair of
the annual Taste of Florida
Fruit Sale, look on as Cristina Combee, fruit sale co-chair, presents checks
for $10,058 and $2,500 to Glenda Brion of Friends Association for the Care
and Protection of Children to be used for Friends homeless prevention
program. This year, 86 Rotarians participated in the fruit sale, which also
provided 104 boxes of fruit to the West Chester Food Cupboard. A number of
Rotarians were singled out for special awards due to service or number of
cases sold; Joe Polito again was the top seller with 95.7 boxes of fruit
sold. 
2011 Fruit Sale Lots of hard working Rotarians turned out to help with the annual Taste of Florida Fruit Sale distribution.
COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPIC AWARDS Nine area social service organizations received $16,000 in Community Philanthropic grants on behalf of the Rotary Club of West Chester. Recipients of the awards and the use for which the grants were given include (from left) Brian Tagliaferro, Handicrafters, supportive employment program for individuals with disabilities; Betsy Billie,West Chester Area Day Care Center,support for families; Joyce Lacy, Interfaith Housing Assistance Corporation, children's financial liteacy program; Suzanne McGee, ARC of Chester County, Early Intervention and music therapy programs; Kathy Sullivan, West Chester Area Senior Center, nutrition programs; Leon Thomas, Leon's Barbership Supper Club, teaching children better choices and exercise; Catherine Friedman, Residential Living Options, one-on-one housing counseling; and Dolly Wideman-Scott, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, 24 hour emergency services and bridge housing. Also receiving a grant was the Center on Hearing and Deafness (CHAD), which provides programs that improve the quality of life for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. 
2011 Fruit Sale Kickoff Yellow and orange balloons signal the beginning of the Rotary Club's annual "Taste of Florida Fruit Sale." Co-chair Cristina Combee (from left), Glenda Brion and Regina Horton Lewis of Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children, and co-chair Elizabeth Guman, kicked off the fruit sale with presentations to club members. Friends Association, which works to prevent homelessness in families, primarily those whose heads of household are single women, will be the recipient charity of the fruit sale proceeds this year. Those supporting the fruit sale may also purchase oranges and/or grapefruit which will be donated to the West Chester Food Cupboard. Fruit must be ordered by March 19th, with fruit pick-up on March 26th. HEARTFELT THANKS 
Rotarian and Salvation Army Major Gerald Morgan expressed his heartfelt appreciation to fellow Rotarians for their immediate response with a $1,500 donation when the Salvation Army's walk-in freezer recently went out. Turkeys and other foods, valued at between $7,000 and $10,000 and designated for needy families during the holidays, went bad before the staff realized the freezer had gone off. Apparently the new freezer lacked an alarm system. The Army provides 10 days worth of food to needy families during the holidays. Although the entire West Chester community responded with generous food and financial donations, Major Morgan has no idea yet what it has cost to replace all the food lost.
Ringing the Bells for the Salvation Army 
Rotarians Dave Rayburn, Mac Neilon, Charles Streitwieser, Jack Wintermute, Steve Quigley, Steve's daughter Carol, and Dr. Bob Poole are shown ringing the Bells for the Salvation Army. 
WC ROTARY AWARDS COMMUNITY GRANTS Receiving Community Philanthropic Grants for their programs from the Rotary
Club of West Chester are (from left) Regina Horton Lewis, Friends Assn. for
the Care and Protection of Children, providing housing services to homeless
families; Andy Schaum, Children's Country Week Assn., Paradise Farm Camp for
children; Kathy Deaver and 10-week-old Albert (front), Canine Partners for
Life, providing drill press and bits for customizing equipment; Tracy
Behringer, COAD Mental Health Services, continuation of successful peer
speakers program; Ann Christie, Chester County Art Assn., scholarships for
Art/Reach program for children; Lorri Sarosy and Diane Toaltoan, Interfaith
Housing Assistance Corporation, financial literacy workshops; Peggy Gusz and
Kristen Hess, The Crime Victims Center of Chester County, internet safety
and cyber bullying project. Community Philanthropic Grants are awarded twice
each year. 
2010 Rotary Readers Frank Helms, chairman of the Rotary Club of West Chester's Rotary Readers, presents dictionaries to second grade students in Ms. Meyers class at Mary C. Howse elementary school in the West Chester Area School District. Previously, the club gave out about 300 dictionaries each year. This year an additional four elementary schools were given dictionaries, raising the number distributed to over 700, explained Helms. Assisting with the distribution were Rotarians Pam Costanzi, Terry Weber, Mac Neilon and Cathy Palmquist. 
2010 Fruit Sale Check Presentation A Barn volunteer, Kennett High School senior Erin Tatum (front), happily holds a check for $10,713 presented to staff and volunteers of The Barn at Springbrook Farm for Camp Geronimo, representing proceeds from the annual
Taste of Florida Fruit Sale by the Rotary Club of West Chester. Joining in the celebration are (from left) Christine Wildauer, newest Rotarian who sold the most fruit, Camille Piccone of The Barn, Elizabeth Guman, Fruit Sale
co-chair, Mary Beth Drobish, founder and director of The Barn, Jim Langer, Rotarian winner of the points contest and awesome record keeper, Joe Polito, Rotarian with the highest sales, Judy Kirkwood of The Barn, Chuck Swope,
Rotarian who garnered the greatest increase in sales, and Cristina Combee, Fruit Sale co-chair. 
2010 Brighter Future Project WC Rotarians designed and built three food distributions windows at the Salvation Army in West Chester. The Salvation Army identified a special need for a way to distribute food and supplies to people in the community with a level of privacy. Designed by Rotarian Greg Radford, and constructed by a crew of Rotarians and local contractors, the windows provide that space. Click Here to watch a short video of the construction.(18 Meg) 
Fruit Distribution 2010 Members of the Rotary Club of West Chester processed orders and distributed numerous cases of Florida oranges and grapefruit on Saturday at the A. Duie Pyle warehouse. This year's annual "Taste of Florida" fruit sale proceeds benefited Camp Geronimo for special needs children. In addition, buyers donated 134 boxes of fruit to the West Chester Food Cupboard. 
Fruit Sale 2010 Kicking off Rotary's "Taste of Florida" annual fruit sale, which will benefit The Barn at Spring Brook Farm, are (from left) Camille Piccone, The Barn program coordinator, Suzanne Levy, board president, Cristina Combee, Rotary Fruit Sale co-chair, Mary Beth Drobish, founder and executive director of The Barn, Elizabeth Guman, Rotary Fruit Sale co-chair, and Judy Kirkwood, a Barn volunteer who is chairing the fruit sale drive at The Barn. The funds will go to Camp Geronimo, a summer camp for children with disabilities, run by The Barn. New this year, fruit sale supporters can also provide fresh fruit for needy families of the West Chester Food Cupboard. Click Here to watch a short video about The Barn. 
2010 Community Philanthropic Grant Winners January 14 - Community Philanthropic Grants Committee vice-chair, Bruce Beadle, presented checks to seven awardees totaling $8,000 in Rotary contributions. Receiving grants are (from left) Brian Tagliafero, Handicrafters (helping individuals with disabilities overcome employment barriers), Joan Snyder, Community Volunteers in Medicine (Judy's Cookie Jar - covering out of office tests), Rachel Houseman, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (extending legal services to low income persons), Burroughs Mack, Family Service of Chester County (training volunteers to work with 18-24 year old offenders), Laura Brown and Tracy Behringer, The COAD Group (speakers bureau program for young people to discuss mental health with peers), Mary Pat Knauss, Wings for Success (empower women returning to the work force), and (not pictured) Betsy Billie, West Chester Area Day Care Center, (nutrition project for 122 children). 
Rotarians Ring the Bell for the Salvation Army Click on the thumbnail (left) to view all the photos of this year's Bell Ringing Event. Special thanks to Jack Wintermute, who wore many hats in this event including organizer, coach Santa and lead photographer. 
2009 CPC Grants Awarded Matt Bradley (right), Chairman of the Community Philanthropic Committee, introduced representatives of organizations to whom spring donations were given on behalf of the club. Recipients are (from left) Bill Ronayne, accepting for the West Chester Area Senior Center, Lorri Sarosy, Interfaith Housing Assistance Corporation, Mary Ellen Drobish, The Barn at Springbrook Farm, and Phil Duncan, Southwestern PA Autism Resource Center. 
Fruit Sale 2009 On behalf of the Rotary Club of West Chester, Elizabeth Guman (from left) and Cristina Combee, present a check for $10,456 to Joan Snyder, Vice President for Development of Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM). The annual Rotary Fruit Sale proceeds will be used for Judys Cookie Jar, a program of CVIM, to provide needed tests for patients of CVIM. 
Fruit Sale 2009 Members recognized for reaching significant levels of achievement during the 2009 Fruit Sale, pictured with the Fruit Sale Chairpersons, include (from left) Steve Quigley, Geoff Baker, Cristina Combee, co-chair, Bill Ronayne, Elizabeth Guman, co-chair, Jim Langer, Jeannie McGinn, Cathy Palmquist and Joe Polito. Quigley, Baker and Ronayne sold 14 or more cases of fruit than last year. Polito sold the most fruit, 107 cases and worth over $3,000. Palmquist and McGinn were first and second, respectively, as overall winners of the fruit sale contest, combining fruit sold, weekly contest winnings and other support for the sale, and Langer provided invaluable administrative support to the co-chairs. Brian Brockson and Gary Hewitt, (not pictured) were recognized as most fruit sold by a new member and help distributing leftover fruit, respectively. 
Community Philanthropic Grants Awarded FEBRUARY 19, 2009 Bruce Beadle, Vice Chairman of the Community Philanthropic Committee, introduced representatives of the charitable organizations to whom donations were given on behalf of our club. Recipients included (from left) Major Gerald Morgan, Salvation Army; Brian Tagliaferro, Handicrafters; Maureen Tomoschuk; Community Volunteers In Medicine; Carol Klauss, Volunteer English Program of Chester County; Glenn Frike, Safe Harbor; Sandy McCloskey, Quest Therapeutic Services, Inc.; Allen Thomas, The ARC of Chester County; and Sarah Sands, YWCA of Chester County. Over $10,000 was awarded to projects of the organizations in the first of two rounds of donations this program year. 
Rotarians Pack Books For Soldiers Joanne Tadeo and Geoff Baker pack books for our troups stationed abroad. Our club contributes to the shipping costs. The Second Reading II Used Book Shoppe, a non-profit operated by and for the exclusive benefit of the West Chester Area Senior Center, provides the books. 
Rotarians Support Brian's Run 2008 Mallieen Steimel of WCU and volunteers from The Rotary Club of West Chester placed Service Above Self, braved the cold wind, and helped out at Brians Run. 
Community Philanthropic Grants Awarded The club awarded grants totaling $7,150 to worthy non-profit organizations serving humanitarian needs in the greater West Chester Area.  Red Cross Blood Drive Borough of West Chester and Greater West Chester Rotary Blood Drive Thursday, June 12th10:30 am to 3:30 pm ~ Borough Council Chambers. For your convenience appointments can be made by:
Signing up online or contact Officer Nancy Martin at 610-436-1331
 
Chester County Hospital Mayfest Festival The West Chester Rotary Club will volunteer for the Chicken Finger & Fries booth at Chester County Hospital's May Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 17th. This is the major fund raising event for the Hospital Foundation that uses the money for their wellness programs throughout the year. This year's event will be at a new location; the Goshen Fire Company Fair Grounds located behind Wiggins Auto Tags on West Chester Pike in West Goshen.  Community Philanthropic Grants The Community Philanthropic Committee awarded 5 worthy non-profit organizations serving humanitarian needs in the Greater West Chester Area $7845.00 at the January 24th meeting. 
Salvation Army Ministry of Bells On December 8th, 2007 the club rang the bell and collected money for the Salvation Army in front of the West Goshen Acme. Shown in the picture are Rotarians Geoff Baker, President Gary Hess and his son. For a copy of all the volunteers that helped Click Here
The volunteers met at 7:00 PM Tuesday night, October 23rd, where they were divided into teams and sent throughout the homes of North Hills. These undaunted travelers collected 179 boxes and bags for the needy. The infamous VW Van was filled to the brim! Many thanks to the group! Two members were so enthusiastic they started to load up a man's groceries, which he left unattended on his porch with the light on. He was unaware that this was the agreed signal that the food was intended for the Salvation Army Food Drive. He got his goods back. No harm - no foul.  Brian's Run Benefits Caleb Krug was born with Mitochrondrial Disorder which manifests itself in global developmental delay and muscle weakness. He is now three and half years old and has the cognitive development of about a 6 month old. He is learning to reach for toys (he loves bead chains), and can sit with full lower trunk support. He is quite adept at rolling over, but does not have the strength or understanding to crawl. Thus, we carry him or use his custom wheel chair to move him around. We use a stander daily in an attempt to strengthen his leg muscles.
 2007 Community Needs Assessment The Community Needs Assessment Committee was organized at the suggestion of Past President, Annalie Korengel Lorgus, to identify the needs of the greater West Chester community and to structure a community service avenue to meet those needs. The committee met several times over the course of the 2006-07 Rotary year.  Environmental Action Committee Saturday, October 6th 2007 - Our Rotary Club assisted in the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off event in West Chester at which a record number of people dropped off unwanted computer equipment and chemicals. The Environmental Action Committee thanks all Rotarians who took this opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted materials that could endanger our natural resources if improperly discarded. "The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value." Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States (1858-1919)  Chester County Hospital Mayfest Festival The Greater West Chester Rotary Club ran the Chicken Finger & Fries booth at Chester County Hospital's May Festival on Saturday, May 19th. This is the major fund raising event for the Hospital Foundation that uses the money for their wellness programs throughout the year.
 Club Presents Check to WC Senior Center The Rotary Club of West Chester made a donation to the West Chester Area Senior Center for their new building. Receiving the check on behalf of the center is Amy Balian surrounded by Rotarians Shannon Royer, President Annallie Korengel Lorgus, and Steve Quigley. To learn more information about the West Chester Area Senior Center Click Here.  Clean-up Day - Chadds Ford Saturday, April 28th 2007 - Our Rotary Club and the Longwood Rotary Club cleaned up the Chadds Ford Historical Society grounds. There was plenty of raking, mulching, and other gardening activity to keep these volunteers busy. The afternoon ended with a shared picnic lunch along the beautiful Brandywine River.  
 2007 Fruit Sale The Rotary Club of West Chester is pleased to have completed another successful Fruit Sale. We enjoyed bringing a little piece of Florida sunshine to Chester County. The orders are all delivered and we must admit we had an awsome product this year. For more information and pictures from delivery day [more]
 Club Recognized by Chamber  Over 35 members of our club attended the Feb. 6th Chamber of Commerce of Greater West Chester's annual banquet at the Mendenhall Inn, where President Annalie graciously accepted the J. Dewees Mosteller Community Service Award on behalf of our club.
Our membership was visible in many ways during these two events: Chamber Executive Director Katie Walker, who did a great job leading both events, and incoming Chamber Board President Sue Casso, are both members of our club. Click on this link to view the video that was played at the banquet [PLAY VIDEO]
 Salvation Army Canned Food Drive This year's canned food drive was held on Tuesday, October 25th. Terry McGrath lead this effort again this year. The cold rain did not deter a group of 10 club members that assembled at the North Hills Medical Building to collect bags of canned food from the near by neighborhoods.
 Rotary Readers Receive Award Congratulations to the Rotary Club of West Chester Rotary Readers, winner of the 2006 West Chester Public Library's Literacy Heroes Community Impact Award! (posted 4/18/06) |
