On October 24, 2012, students at China Grove Elementary School recognized United Nations Day and Polio Awareness Day by being visited by District Governor Chris Jones, Assistant Governor Ineke Van der Meulen and China Grove Rotarians Past District Governor Jim Morton, President Elect Michael Hanzlik, and President Jenny White, who is also CGES' principal. Ineke brought clothing native to countries previously and currently affected by polio and allowed students to dress in those outfits and model for the student body as she spoke of each country. She gave a brief overview of how and why the UN began, as well as the origins of Rotary. She then had each grade level do physical activities that are common in each of the countries modeled and further explained that if a child had polio, they could not participate in those activities.
When Africa was highlighted, dirty water was shown and students were given an understanding of the importance of clean water and how the polio virus exists in dirty water.

After gaining an understanding of the origins and effects of polio, the program moved to the eradication of polio. District Governor Chris showed a container of the vaccine and students were told that it only costs ten cents per immunization to protect a child from polio. President Jenny then collected a dollar from a student council member and demonstrated how Rotarians paint the pinky of an immunized child with Gentian Violet so that they are only immunized once. She also explained how his actions made him a hero, as he was helping people he did not know and would never meet.

District Governor Chris and President Jenny then inducted the 2012-13 Young Rotarian Student Council. The students, Madelyn Suggs, Member at Large, Angel Salazar, Jynasia Chambers, Colby Renken, Carson Withers, Jillian Dunn, President Elect, Cameron Dunn, Secretary, Eric Clark Jr, and Rachael Lipe, President, introduced themselves to the student body, and District Governor Chris presented each child with a Rotary 100 Year pin. The students and Rotarians then recited the 4 Way Test and President Jenny explained how that relates to the job of the Student Council Members. Young Rotarian Student Council sponsors are Mrs. Jennifer Lambert, Mrs. Angela Gillespie, Mrs. Georgianna Karriker, and Mrs. Jenny White.

SouthPark Rotary is inviting other clubs to join them in collecting used bikes for Trips For Kids. The SouthPark club found that it seems that most everyone has a bike or 2 laying around not being used. TFK is a 501 3c so bike donations are tax deductible and receipts can be provided. Rotarian Michael Camp can visit interested clubs on a pre-arranged date with truck and trailer to pick up and deliver the bikes. (any size or condition is acceptable).

If you think your club would be interested in collaborating on this, please contact Michael and he will be glad to get the motivational materials and logistics to you and  lead the way. This is a very good cause and the SouthPark club (17 members) easily collected over 40 bikes in a matter of weeks.

Also, Paula Fricke (pictured) who heads up TFK will be glad to be a speaker at your regular club meeting if you’d like.

For more information, contact Michael Camp with the Charlotte SouthPark Rotary at mcamp@cummingsconst.com.

A Rotarian recently noticed a ragged flag at one of Charlotte Mecklenburg County school, then noticed another and another. In these economic times, the flags at our schools are not a high priority, so Charlotte Area Rotary clubs are stepping up. They contacted all 150 CMS schools and asked if their flag needed to be replaced. After much follow up, 86 schools requested a new flag.

Rotarians will deliver the flags to the schools and present them to someone. The clubs are hoping to have the project complete in September.

For more information, contact Rotarian John Tabor.