LCR members take a well-deserved break during the spring clean-up day at the Lawrence Rotary Arboretum on Saturday, June 18. From left, Vern Brobst, Jim Peters, Fred Atchison, Audrey Coleman, Taryn Parillo and Glen Davis (not pictured) all pitched in to beautify the Arboretum. Members from all three Lawrence Rotary Clubs participated.
We posted the save the date – and here are all the details..
Be sure if you’re stopping in at any of the sponsors of this year’s rides to thank them for supporting a safe way for people to get into bicycling and an active lifestyle here in Lawrence, and Douglas County.
Once again this May, Lawrence Central Rotary is collecting personal care products to deliver to The Willow Domestic Violence Center. Becca Burns, Director of Volunteer Services at The Willow speaks regularly to the club. The agency provides a growing variety of services to survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking who live in Douglas, Franklin, or Jefferson County. Find a list of items on their wish list at their website.
Every week we will have a bin where items can be placed into it that will be delivered to The Willow – they will also gladly accept monetary donations too! In a note from Executive Director Joan Schultz their current needs are:
Lawrence Central Rotary has named Bob Swan, Shon Qualseth as Paul Harris Fellows in recognition of their service as president in prior years. Bob joined LCR in February 2009. His year as president was 2012-2013. Shon joined the club in December 2007 and served as president from 2011-2012.
Lawrence Central Rotary has also named Sam Bhakta a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his four years as Treasurer of the club. Sam joined LCR in November 2009. Up until last summer, Sam was owner and manager of the Econolodge in Lawrence. Since selling that business, Sam has been exploring new business ventures in the region.
Warm congratulations and a hearty thank you to each!
Steve Lane received the “Becky Castro Award” at the club’s anniversary dinner held on March 2, 2016. Steve has been a member of Lawrence Central Rotary for eleven years (since December 2004). He is a past president of the club (2009-2010), a Paul Harris Fellow, and regular contributor to Rotary Foundation. He is at meetings regularly, always ready to present the “News of the Day.” Most significantly, Steve initiated the Community Bike Rides beginning in 2011, our signature event, and he continues to manage the project with skill and enthusiasm as we enter its sixth season.
Campbell quotes her thank you letter to Steve after last fall’s Bike Ride:
“As always, you impress me with your marvelous attention to detail regarding the Community Bike Rides, Steve. You have certainly met your goal of making this initiative easily replicable each year. It seems to run like clockwork, but it wouldn’t happen without your leadership. I know it is a tremendous time commitment for you, and you need to know how much the club and I appreciate your work. Thank you for creating and sustaining our signature project!”
Rebecca “Becky” Lizabeth Castro was a founding member of our club who died after a long illness in June 2014 at the age of 68. A lifelong resident of Lawrence, Becky was active not only in Rotary, but also numerous other community organizations. Her warm welcome greeted everyone who came to a Lawrence Central Rotary meeting. In spring 2015, Past-Presidents Tobin Neis and Carolyn DeSalvo conceived of the Becky Castro Award as a way to honor the memory of this tireless founding member. The criteria state that the award be given to a member who exemplifies the dedication to community service and the love of Rotary that Becky displayed.
Congratulations, Steve Lane, on receiving the first Becky Castro Award. Thank you for all you have done for Lawrence Central Rotary and the Lawrence community.
