Posted by Tina Ingraham
FUNDS RAISED BENEFIT LOCAL AND GLOBAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING END POLIO NOW FUND
 
It was a “happy hippie holiday” for tie-dye wearing Rotarians in District 6630 as they came together for the annual District 6630 Foundation Awards Gala, November 17th at Windows on the River in Cleveland’s Flats. This event recognizes local Rotary clubs and individual Rotarians for their generous giving to The Rotary Foundation. A total of $312,484 was raised over the course of a year, the largest amount over the last five years. Of that total, $211,185 was directed to the Annual Fund, half of which comes back to district clubs for local and global grants. Another $96,535 was donated to the PolioPlus campaign, Rotary’s signature effort to eradicate polio across the globe.
 
District Governor David Jones congratulated Rotarians for exceeding the fundraising goals and following the legacy set by Arch C. Klumph, a member of District 6630 and Rotary Club of Cleveland. Arch is known as the “Father of The Rotary Foundation”, as it was he who proposed the creation of an endowment during the Rotary Convention in 1917.  Arch Klumph’s grandson, Frederick T “Rory” McGuire, was on hand to congratulate honored clubs. He was joined by 2021-22 District Governor Larry Lohman, as well as Kevin Kelly and Tyler Stokesbary, who serve The Rotary Foundation as Regional Major Gifts Officer and Annual Giving Officer, respectively.
 
Funds from 470 District grants went to projects that made a profound difference, such as partnering with Good Knights to build and deliver beds to local children in need, equipment to start an after school program in Medina Schools, and a vehicle to help students in Hudson learn about the importance of pollinators in our environment. Also, 1,190 Global Grants were also funded in one year alone.
Rotarians from 30 local clubs in District 6630 were recognized and include:

Akron, Aurora, Berea, Burton-Middlefield, Chagrin Highlands, Chardon, Cleveland, Cuyahoga Falls, E-ClubNEO, Fairlawn, Geauga County West, Hillcrest Sunrise, Hudson Clocktower, Hudson, Lakewood-Rocky River, Lakewood-Rocky River Sunrise, Mantua, Medina Sunrise, Mentor, Nordonia Hills, Northhampton Cuyahoga Valley, Painesville, Port-Summit, Ravenna, Stow-Munroe Falls, Strongsville, Tallmadge, Wadsworth, Westlake-Bay Village and Willoughby.
 
The evening’s highlight was the “Dessert Dash”, during which tables making the largest donation to the End Polio Now campaign were able to “dash” over and be first to choose from a table full of delicious and unique desserts.
 
Rotary District 6630 has over 50 clubs serving Northeast Ohio.  With more than 1.4 million members, Rotary brings together a global network of community leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.  For more information, visit rotarydistrict6630.org and Rotary.org.
 
Pictured left to right:
Larry Lohman, 2021-22 District Governor, Major Gifts Officer Kevin Kelley, Annual Giving Officer Tyler Stokesbary, Frederick T. “Rory” McGuire and 2022-23 District Governor Dave Jones at Rotary District 6630’s “Peace Love & Rotary” Awards Celebration.  (Photo: Tina Ingraham)