Project

Springfield Township Rotary Club, like all non profit volunteer organizations, has been seeking ways to help their community. In November it came to their attention that Harston Hall, a skilled nursing facility offering post-hospital, short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term and respite care, was reaching out for help. Many residents are in need of love and caring if they do not have family or friends close by, and they were seeking members of the public to shop, wrap and deliver gender neutral gifts for distribution among the residents. Rotary heard the call and offered to collect donations from the community, shop, wrap and deliver to make it easier and safer for the Springfield Township Community to participate. $800 was raised via a Facebook request alone, enough to package 100 gifts. A small group of Rotarians dressed in festive gear dropped the gifts off at the facilities door, and were met with great appreciation from staff members. Each gift had a personal hand written note, to let residents know that their community was thinking about them, and they were being thought of this holiday season. For more information or to join us please check out www.SpringfieldRotary.org.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The Springfield Township High School Interact Club and Phil-Mont Christian Academy’s Interact Club held a very successful fundraiser on Saturday April 30, which benefited the Nyaka Aids Orphan Project and School in Uganda. The dinner event and silent auction raised a little over $2,500 which will be used to provide supplies and uniforms to children who want to go to school, but do not have the financial means to do so. The Director “Jackson” told the audience the story of “The Pencil” and how it is the only thing needed to bring success to the life of a child … a simple, single pencil in the instrument that can and does break the chain of poverty and illiteracy.

Highlights of the evening included The Phil-Mont Choir and the Springfield Sweethearts entertaining a crowd of roughly 100 people with their beautiful voices. Twesigye “Jackson” Kaguri, the founder of the orphanage and author of The Price of Stones – click the following to watch his Time Magazine interview and learn more about his work – as Mr. Kaguir was also recently interviewed by TIME magazine.

Clare Strenger, Director of Developement at Gwynedd Mercy High School (a former Springfield Rotarian) and Barbara Kroberger, Director of Social Services at Dock Woods Retirement Community (wife of Springfield Rotarian, Jeff Kroberger, Esq.) visited the Nyaka School in the 2006/2007 Rotary Year. While in Uganda, their mission was to educate teachers on how to provide social service and behavioral programs to and for the children. The children who have lost at least one parent, if not both parents are not always equipped to deal emotionally with the loss while at the same time trying to stay focused on their school work. The tools and programs Clare and Barbara shared brought a helping hand. Both Ms. Strenger and Mrs. Kroberger were thrilled that the Interact Clubs choose this cause to support were in attendance at the April 30th event.

Interact students and the Interact advisors worked tirelessly behind the scenes for weeks to make this event a huge success. The Interact Advisors include: Mr. Thomas Vizza, Springfield High School Keystone Technology Integrator and Mrs. Gail Frey, Spanish Teacher. STHS Board: Rehema Korich, President; Carrie Quaco, VP; Maya Sabin; Treasurer, and Anna Morrow, Secretary. Phil-Mont Board: Stefan Johnson, President; Jennifer Khoo, VP; Claar Ennis, Treasurer, and Victoria Glover, Secretary.

A special thank you was extended to our Rotary Club and Oreland Evangelical Presbyterian Church where the event was held. This event would not be possible without the support and donations from the following community businesses and leaders – for this we say THANK YOU!

SPONSORS

Mr. P’s Pizza

Genuardi’s of Flourtown

Acme of Flourtown

Dunkin Donuts of Flourtown

Coupe Florist

Springfield Greenery

Primex Garden Center

Roberto’s Trattoria

Sandy Run Country Club

Scoogi’s

Hair Cuttery of Flourtown

Ted Smith’s Catering (Briana’s dad)

Artist Barbara Salzer

Signs by Tomorrow

Flourtown Bakery

Chestnut Hill Sports

Antique Gallery of Chestnut Hill

Wyndmoor Hardware

Karen McGlinchy of Stella and Dot Jewelry

Spartan Wearhouse

Camera Shop of Chestnut Hill

Bittersweet Antiques of Glenside

Ambler YMCA

WIP Radio

Joy Zwicker

Mom’s Bake at Home Pizza of Chestnut Hill

Stan’s Deli in the Flourtown Farmer’s Market

Oreland Pizza

Springfield Rotary

Oreland Evangelical Presbyterian Church

For more information on Rotary International Interact Clubs

A Harston Holiday – A Promise Kept

Interact Clubs in Springfield Township Raise Money for Orphan Project