The Rotary Club of The Woodlands officially kicked off its 50th Anniversary Celebration at last Thursday’s meeting.
The meeting was presided over by President Denton Florian. The meeting began with a prayer by Rev. Dan Hannon who alluded to those early pioneers in the Rotary Club of The Woodlands on whose shoulders Rotarians stand on today to better serve the Community. This Rotary Club has grown to over two hundred active members, making it the largest Rotary Club in Montgomery County.
The Rotary Club of Conroe sponsored this Club fifty years ago, receiving its Rotary Charter in May 19, 1975 when The Woodlands was just starting to be created by George Mitchell. This Rotary Club has broken records in its generosity and community involvement. Over one million dollars in scholarships have been provided to over a thousand deserving high school Seniors as they further pursue their education. It has sponsored more High School Juniors at leadership development camps than any other Club in the entire USA! This Club has planted trees, spruced up dilapidated housing in Tamina, served meals to the elderly and so much more.
Their recent Project is helping those patients and their Families seeking medical assistance in the growing medical communities in Montgomery County. The Rotary Club sponsors interim local housing for these patients’ families as they go through months of medical treatment in Montgomery County. What once was a financial burden to these families is now literally free housing so the families can focus on getting well together. The Rotary Club of The Woodlands has provided mentors for elementary school children with that Mentoring Committee chaired by Natalie Saikowski Goertz. The Rotary Club of The Woodlands has also mentored young adults at Angel Reach and has assisted in building their facilities for those aging out of foster care. In addition, members of The Rotary Club of The Woodlands have contributed 245 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross, saving countless lives. These Rotarians have donated tons of food supplies for the Montgomery County Food Bank to distribute to those food-needy citizens in our community.
The 50 years of community service is now documented in a “coffee table” book authored and compiled by Rotarian Dr. Robert Schucker. This book’s official release is in November with a hardback book price of $40.00 at the present time.
Dr. Ann Snyder who Chairs The Woodlands Township Board of Directors presented a Proclamation on behalf of The Woodlands Township naming July 18, 2024 as “The Woodlands 50th Anniversary Day.” This is a great way to start off a 50th Anniversary Celebration for the year! The Woodlands Township Board of Directors represents the 118,000+ residents of The Woodlands.
The speaker for this 50th anniversary kick-off was Congressman Dan Crenshaw. Mr. Crenshaw has the Rotary spirt of service having served his country and is a decorated Veteran. He knew serving his country as a Congressman was in his future after serving the Houston area after Hurricane Harvey. Congressman Crenshaw represents The Woodlands and is an obvious choice as the speaker for this 50th anniversary kickoff event. Congressman Crenshaw presented to a packed house of Rotarians his role in serving The Woodlands and is focusing on key issues like immigration, sex trafficking, and providing financial assistance in key structures such as the Bear Branch Regional Storm Water Detention Facility and the Sawdust Road bridge upgrade at Panther Creek.
President Denton Florian concluded the meeting establishing a Rotary Fund with Club Members establishing a community fund similar to what Benjamin Franklin did in his Last Will. The meeting concluded as all Rotary Meetings with the Four-Way Test. Next week’s Speaker is renowned local sculptor Craig Campobello.
For more information on Rotary, please email Ron Saikowski at rsaikowski@comcast.net.
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