It was a grand event. Click here to see the photo album.
Service Above Self
We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 5:30 PM
The Village Grille
16930 Kercheval Ave
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
United States of America
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
United States of America
Meetings are now Hybrid Meetings.
Members will receive email invites each week to join in person and a link to join virtually.
If you wish to be a guest please contact a member or Email us at GrossePointeRotary@gmail.com
Our presenter on July 14th was Sierra Donaven. Sierra told us the story of how she arrived in Grosse Pointe Farms and Became a Rotarian.
Sierra is continuing fulfillment of God’s purpose for her life, marked by a long history of public and community service. She sees Rotary as a way to collectively share our good beyond where we have been and where we are now.
Sierra’s father died when she was 4 years old and her mother suffered from alcoholism. She attended 7 Detroit elementary schools before a police officer took her and her siblings out of abandonment, hunger, and despair. She was placed at Childrens Village in Oxford, MI, a safe haven that she called home.
Being introduced to John Delorean at a young age, he was a father figure and had a tremendous impact on her life. She saw him, again, when she was an ATF agent, and still felt that same father-daughter relationship.
Sierra had her own legal battle, fighting an investigation and federal prosecution brought about by the abusive actions of a Federal agent. She was ultimately vindicated.
Sierra felt a need to live in Grosse Pointe and found the perfect house in the Farms. She hit the ground running, receiving a beautification award, serving on the beautification committee, and having a seat on the City Council.
Before joining Rotary, Sierra knew nothing about the organization and our Club but she knew plenty of GP Rotarians. She believes that each person was a marker/sign that God was directing her on a magical journey to Service Above Self. Once you believe, the signs are everywhere.
Richard Yeager-Stiver passed the Oil Canto Bob Lucas for his work as
president during a very unusual year
where, for the most part, he ran
weekly meetings via the internet
sitting in a room by himself.
There is a great article in the July 8th Grosse Pointe News. Looking back, looking ahead: Rotary presidency changes hands Page 1 section B. Here is a link for those who have a subscription. https://www.grossepointenews.com/articles/looking-back-looking-ahead-rotary-presidency-changes-hands/
Our presenters on June 23rd were Tom Milano & Nancy Weigandt from Detroit Abloom.
What a wonderful program and organization to be involved with!
So many programs, events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities at Detroit Abloom! A lot of changes since their last visit three years ago. This organization basically does flower farming on the east-side of Detroit. They bought vacant land and have given local residents meaningful jobs.
They started in 2015 with the help of the Kressege Foundation with a $76,000 grant.
We learned a lot about the monarch butterflies that are tagged and fly 2,800 miles to Mexico!
The also sell native plants, seeds, and of course flowers.
Recently they have built a wellness center, outdoor bathrooms using rainwater and compost toilets. They even have a shower. They also built an outdoor wood-burning oven for the community to gather and use.
I encourage everyone to visit their website for more details. www.detroitabloom.com
John Mozena introduced us to Michael Newman our newest and 10th new member this Rotary year!
Michael’s joining us is very much a homecoming for him. He was a Rotary exchange student in 2003 sponsored by the Rotary Club of York, PA and spent a year in Izmir, Turkey; which he considers a life changing experience.
Michael’s reconnection to Rotary was based on his visits to our Rotary Tot Lot! He and is wife Nicole have two daughters, Catherine (Renne) 6 and Clara 3. Upon using the Tot Lot with them he felt the need to rekindle his relationship with Rotary that has given him so much. He also knows that form his experience it was an excellent way to give back to our community and world.
Michael graduated from Ohio University and works for the Graham Media Group as a Lead Developer /Architect specializing in software engineering and media communications. He lives on Yorkshire in the Park.
We are sure with Michael’s experience and talents, he will be a great asset to our club.
Paul Rentenbach will be his mentor.
Welcome Michael!
Vince passed the Oil Can on to Richard Yeager-Stiver for his good work opening up his church for Covid vaccines to our community and surrounding communities.
Before introducing each winner, Mark Weber read a little from the counselor recommendations. All received glowing reports on their school and community involvement, their hard work, and their leadership.
From Grosse Pointe North:
-- Jordan Solomon will be pursuing a business administration degree at the University of Michigan.
-- Imani Crutcher will be pursuing a business degree at Purdue University.
-- Alex Benner graduated early, and for the past 6 months, has been working toward a HVAC apprenticeship.
From Grosse Pointe South:
-- Charlotte Parent will be attending the College of LSA at the University of Michigan.
-- Thomas Heath is applying for the IBEW Apprenticeship Program, with the goal to be a union electrical contractor.
-- (The third winner from South was not in attendance).
Each recipient talked about some of their past accomplishments and ultimate goals. A very impressive group of students.