Congressman Pence Honors Muncie Rotary Club Volunteers for Columbus Relief Efforts
Tuesday, October 21st, Congressman Mike Pence honored the volunteers from the Muncie Rotary Club who assisting the flood victims in the Columbus, IN area this past summer. Volunteers were each presented a certificate of the copy of Extensions of Remarks entered into The Congressional Record on September 9, 2008.
It says: “Honoring the Volunteers of the Muncie Rotary Club Hon. Mike Pence of Indiana in the House of Representatives, Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Mr. Pence. Madam Speaker, I rise to thank the Rotary Club of Muncie, Indiana for their invaluable service To the residents of my hometown of Columbus, Indiana following catastrophic flooding that city experienced in early June.
The Congressional record then contains the entire article “The Power of One” by Tom Farris that was published in the Muncie STAR-PRESS on August 10, 2008. The article outlines the tremendous support provided by the Muncie Rotary Club and the leadership they provided in the early clean-up efforts.
It ends with:
I commend each of the individuals mentioned in this article, and extend my deepest gratitude to this dedicated group of volunteers who went out of their way to help fellow Hoosiers in need.”
Pictured in the photo receiving their certificates are: Bill Green (non-Rotarian who participated); Rotarian loyal Cutforth; Congressman Mike Pence and Rotarians Jim Needham, Gay Nation (organizer of Columbus volunteer effort), Lois Rockhill, Roni Johnson, Pat Garofolo and Bob Gortner.
District Governor Tom Fisher was our speaker August 5th.
District Governor Tom Fisher receives plaque from President Gary Demaree.
Photo by Pat Garofolo
Tom, it was wonderful having members of the Muncie Rotary Club visit Columbus to help with flood relief. It is always a plus to meet Rotarians from other clubs. It continues to support the theme of 'Service Above Self' when money and time are given to support people in another area of the state without having met any of them. The large amount of bottled water that your club donated was a big benefit to those rebuilding their homes and trying to get back to some form of normalcy. We spent hours hanging up clothes in San Souci, one of the supply houses in our community. It wasn't glamorous work but needed, so peoplethat lost everything can have clothing. We also delivered meals to those working in houses working to replace drywall, mechanical and electrical systems, and in general, trying to return to pre-flood conditions.
Again, thanks for participating in Columbus' flood relief efforts. It was greatly appreciated.
Charles Dewey
Another letter:
Morning Tom,
The most amazing part of this project was the enthusiasm and cheerfulness shown by your group. During the first visit, a new need was discovered – that of providing cold bottled water to the recipients of meals – and that need turned into a challenge by your group to find cases of water, coolers, and donated ice to bring down on the second trip. During the second visit, another new need was discovered – that supplies for the meals was running short at Eastside Community Center – that need turned into another challenge by your group and Gleaners was hooked up with Lenore Hollowell. She then placed an order for food, supplies, etc. and cases of beans, rice, water, etc. was delivered directly to Eastside Community Center. The fourth and final visit a final need turned into a challenge by your group – to help us match district simplified grant and our clubs own donations to provide a STAT centrifuge to the Columbus Regional Hospital.
What more can I say? You all have been amazing, and your leadership an inspiration to the rest of us. I consider Gay Nation my role model as I continue as the Community Co-Chair for the Columbus Sunrise Rotary Club.
Celeste Racette
Chief Internal Auditor
Jackson County Bank
P.O. Box 1001
Seymour, IN 47274
(812)524-4426
cracette@jcbank.com
What is our motto? Service Above Self.
After our meeting on July 1st , Lois Rockhill returned to the parking lot to find her car had a flat tire. What a great place to have a flat.
Rushing to her rescue were Rotarians, Jim Fisher, Ron Naylor and Past President Brent Webster sans jackets ready to make it all good.
Actually the Nye's truck came to the rescue! The guys stuck around to make sure Lois was going to have wheels!
Many thanks to Rotarian Pat Garofolo for noticing the goings on and taking the photograph.
