The weekly newsletter of the
Rotary Club of Norristown,  
P.O. Box 119, Oaks, PA 19456(484) 994-2349
Meetings The first four Thursdays each month
August 18, 2025  - Issue No. 2830
 
August 21, 2025 
NOONTIME MEETING
JEFFERSONVILLE GOLF CLUB
 
 BILL TUSZYNSKI
 
SHELTERBOX USA
 
ALSO
 
 
 
BOARD MEETING
10:45
all are welcome
 
*******
ELMWOOD PARK ZOO KIDS FAIR
 
 Help is needed on 9/2 from 5-8 to assist at the Kid’s Fair.  At this point I am handing out pretzels, soda and water all by myself! 
Thank you! Judy
contact JUDY BUCKO
 
 
Upcoming Programs
Aug 21, 2025
Shelter Box USA
Sep 04, 2025
Rotary Environmental Sustainability Group
Sep 11, 2025
Rotary DG
Sep 18, 2025
RAGAS - Rotary Action Group Against Hunger
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Board Mtg
Aug 21, 2025 10:45 AM
 
East Norriton Day Rotary Expo '25
E Norriton Twp Bldg
Sep 06, 2025
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
Art in the Park Rotary Expo '25
Elmwood Park Zoo
Sep 13, 2025
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
 
View entire list
Click on the screen above to
join our pre-scheduled
virtual meetings via Zoom
* ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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2024-25 RECIPIENTS PRESENTATION

Rotary Club of Norristown Awards Over $17,000 to Local Organizations

 
 
At its August 14 meeting, the Rotary Club of Norristown proudly presented donation checks to two organizations making a significant impact in the local community:  These funds were raised during the Club’s annual Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction, held this past May.
 
The awards were presented to :
 

The Norristown Hospitality Center - $10,200

The center is a day shelter that serves those who are homeless or experiencing poverty in the Norristown area.   (https://hospitalitycenter.org)

 

And for:

Montgomery Child Advocacy Project (MCAP) - $6,800

Their mission is to end and prevent child abuse and neglect in Montgomery County through legal services, advocacy, and education. 

(https://www.mcapkids.org)

 

The Club’s annual Pancake Breakfast generates proceeds from corporate and private sponsors, a silent auction and basket raffles and donations from Club members and friends. Held at Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, the event draws many from the area and is staffed by Rotary members, friends and recipient organization volunteers. For more information, contact event chair Dave Beach (dbeach04@gmail.com)

The Rotary Club of Norristown remains committed to "service above self" and is proud to assist organizations that provide critical resources and support to individuals and families in need across the Norristown area.

 
 
 
 
 
Check presentation to The Norristown Hospitality Center
(L-R) Jack Rule-Norristown Rotary Foundation, Tim Meyers, Dave Beach- Club Fundraiser Committee, Sunanda Charles- Executive Director Norristown Hospitality Center, Alan Treisbach- President of Norristown Rotary Club, Jim Nutt- Club Fundraiser Committee
 
Check presentation The Montgomery Child Advocacy Project
 
(L-R) Jack Rule, Dave Beach -Rotary Club, Mary Anders, Nutmeg- MCAP, William Baldwin-MCAP  executive Director,  Tim Meyers, Alan Treisbach, Jim Nutt-  Rotary Club
 
 
 
 
image
 
 
Texas Flood Relief
 
 
TEXAS FLOOD RELIEF
 
How You Can Help Us Turn Compassion into Action:
  • Donate: Every dollar is a lifeline. Your gift brings food, shelter, and dignity to those rebuilding their world.
  • Share: Your voice matters. Spread this message on social media, through email, or in conversation. Be loud!  One share could spark a dozen acts of kindness.
  • Serve: Your time and skills will be needed soon. At the present time in our district, assistance is needed in the Burnet area and is being coordinated by the Ark of the Highland Lakes. Donations and manpower assistance info can be found at https://arkofhighlandlakes.org/flood-response-070525/ However for now, please stay tuned—we’re working closely with local authorities to ensure a safe, coordinated response.
 
 
 
________________
PAY YOUR CLUB DUES TODAY
 
 
 
Make Your Club Dues Payment by Major Credit Card
Below is the link for any Norristown Rotarian who wants to pay their dues with a credit card.  Follow these steps.
1.  Click the link below. A block will appear titled Biannual Dues, click on it
2.  Another block will appear. Leave the quantity as 1 and click on DONATE
3.  It will automatically show your dues plus a $4.75 service charge biannual dues which includes the credit card processing fee.
4.  click on the next to: help cover fundraising cost, and at the bottom of the explanation, click here
5.  A new window will open, and at the bottom you can click on I'd rather not contribute at this time.  This will change the donation amount too zero
Link to pay by credit card
 

 
* NEWS
LAST WEEK
 
 
BOB HOBAUGH - HANWASH Inc.
 
BOB HOBAUGH.  HANWASH Inc.
 
  At our August 14 meeting, the Club welcomed BOB HOBAUGH who spoke on HANWASH Inc. ,
an organization that is bringing facilities to Haiti that deliver clean, sanitary, water to people who
have to survive with contaminated water. HANWASH, which is Haiti National Water,Sanitation And
Hygiene Initiative, is an Florida originated nonprofit, that is a cooperating agency with Rotary International,
who's goal is to bring clean water to all of Haiti.  
 One half of the people in Haiti do not have potable water
close at hand, and half of Haiti's water and sanitation infrastructure does not function. 
 Bob outlined the history of Haiti and pointed out the reasons for the current condition of the country.
This area of contaminated water is being addresses by HANWASH in conjunction with Rotary programs
that lead to projects that identify needs, monitoring, education and community involvement.
The projects are led by Haitian Rotarians and supported by groups in the U.S. 
 Bob is a member of the Kutztown Rotary Club and is a past president of Rotary District 7430.
 
Thank you, Bob for this informative talk.
 
Garden Update

 
Garden Update 
 
Diane Helm has published the Garden Masterplan
 
Here are the highlights:

I’ve put together a list of tasks we need to complete by spring so we can begin planting the rest of the garden. These items should be achievable with the funding we’ll request in the 2025–2026 Rotary Budget. Please review the list below and let me know if anything is missing or if you’re willing to take the lead on any of the tasks:

  1. Watering Schedule – Set up a monthly watering rotation for current plants*. If each Rotary member signs up once a month, we should be covered.

  2. Sod Removal – Phase 1 – Reach out to local sod farms to see if they’re interested in removing sod at no cost.

  3. Sod Removal – Phase 2 – If no luck with sod farms, get estimates from local landscapers for sod removal.

  4. Community Partnerships – Contact local garden clubs, scout troops, Whitehall Farms, and Norristown Rotaract to explore collaboration.

  5. Fall Work Day – Schedule a cleanup day in Sept/Oct to remove remnants of the original garden so the township can re-seed. This includes relocating the Weeping Redbud to its new spot.

  6. Fence Installation – If we receive the District Rotary grant, we’ll have funding to install the garden fence.


Next Steps:

  • Let me know if you see any missing tasks or if you can take ownership of one of the items listed above.

  • Once we have a solid plan, we’ll schedule a Zoom meeting to review progress and finalize roles.

 
**The existing rain barrel is leaking and cannot be repaired. With this year’s funds, we have purchased a new rain barrel and will ask the W.N. Parks & Rec to replace it for us. Once that is done, Judy Bucko will donate a 100’ garden house to make this task easier. 

Feel free to call me if you have any questions. 

Thanks to everyone for your interest in this project.,

 

 
 
As many of you know from attending lunch meetings, we are working to obtain a bench for our Padden Park Garden project from Trex. All we have to do is collect our plastic. I am attaching a list of all the plastics we can recycle. We have just 1 year to collect 1000 pounds, so your participation is important. So far we have dropped off 61 pounds, and we only have til May 31, 2026, to collect another 939 pounds. You can bring your recyclable items to any meeting. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
Thanks, and please tell all your friends!
 
Diane Helm
 
 
 
 
 
List of Club Presidents for 104 years
District 7430 News
 
* DISTRICT 7430 NEWS
 
 
 

NEXTREX PROJECT
Our Club is participating in a plastic bag and film recycling program. For every 1000 lbs collected, our club is eligible for a Trex Park Bench.
 
For questions see Project Chair Diane Helm.
 
 
PLUS
 
All plastic must be clean, dry and free of food residue.
 
  • Plastic films labeled with #2 or #4 recycling symbol (polyethylene films)
  • Ice bags
  • Wood pellet bags
  • Salt bags
  • Cereal box liners
 

 
DO NOT include the following items
 
 
NOR any of the following
  • Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging
  • Pre-washed salad mix bags
  • Pet food bags
  • Hot dog or meat wrap packaging
  • Six-pack rings
  • PPE- Gloves, masks, or protective wear
  • Pool covers
  • Lamination film
  • Silage and hay bags
  • Backyard ice rinks
  • Vinyl shower curtains or tablecloths
  • Bedding or linen packaging
  • Shiny, crinkly films like floral wrap
 
All collected items can be brought to the meeting where Diane will bundle them and turn them in.
 
 

 
Local Volunteering Opportunities
 
Local Volunteer Opportunities 
 
Patrician Society https://www.patriciansociety.org/volunteer/ 610-272-6316 Norristown
Our volunteers assist us by packaging groceries, produce and meats to distribute, restock shelves to feed the hungry.
 
Expressive Path https://expressivepath.org/get-involved 631-331-3516 
Help teenage students discover and develop music and art skills. Organize and execute events, Have a music or artistic talent? Assist with tutoring.
 
Norristown Hospitality Center https://hospitalitycenter.org/volunteer/ 610-277-1322 
Help anyone hungry, weary or living in the streets. Help serve breakfast & coffee, organize meals, lead devotion, handle client check-ins, manage the food pantry. Day shelter services
 
Montco Victim Serv. Center https://www.victimservicescenter.org/volunteer-opportunities 610-277-0932
We are the only non-profit, comprehensive crime-victim agency serving Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Our confidential services are provided at no cost to survivors of crime and their loved ones. Need help with day to day services. Collect used cell phones.
 
Help battered partners. Shop, volunteer or donate to our thrift shops. Host a donation drive.
 
Our volunteers provide direct service delivery, special events, steering committees, outreach and administrative support – they do it all.
 
Mission Kids https://missionkidscac.org/become-a-volunteer/ 484-687-2990 x 1026
Supporting child advocacy From clerical duties to event planning and community outreach, there are various ways to get involved.
 
Martha’s Choice Market Place & Community Farm https://www.marthaschoicemarketplace.com/volunteer/ 610-279-7372
Volunteer at the Pantry or the Farm. Creating meal kits, distributing to guests. Plant pick and pack, help deliver and pick up from partners. Help feed the hungry.
 
Meals on Wheels (Ntn Sr. Adult Activity Center) https://www.montcosaac.org/meals-on-wheels 610-275-1960 
Preparing and delivering meals to the home bound in the area.
 
Montco Public Library http://mnl.mclinc.org/volunteer-opportunities/ 610-278-5100
volunteers can donate their time, extending the reach of the Library and getting the community involved in reaching library goals, expand literacy.
 
Literacy Council of Norristown https://www.lcnlit.org/opportunities/ 610-292-8515
Help students prepare for their GED, learn basic educational skills: reading, writing and math and learn English as another language
 
Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/volunteer/einstein 484-622-7074
Variety of volunteer Patient Support Services, hospitality, clerical, escort & messenger positions, patient advocate, surgical hospitality, Patient Feeding.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* Our Sponsors (click for info)
Platinum Sponsors
 
 
 
 
Silver Sponsors
 
Norristown Auto Parts - Plymouth Meeting
 
 
 
Wynn Family Foundation
Norristown, PA
 
 
 
 
Bronze Sponsors
 
.
Gofus Memorials - Pottstown PA
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Rotary Foundation
 
Membership
 
Immediate Past President
 
Board Director 2023-26
 
Board Director 2023-26
 
Board Director 2024-27
 
Board Director 2024-27
 
Board Director 2025-28
 
Board Director 2025-28
 
Visit us on Social Media
Upcoming Programs
Aug 21, 2025
Shelter Box USA
Sep 04, 2025
Rotary Environmental Sustainability Group
Sep 11, 2025
Rotary DG
Sep 18, 2025
RAGAS - Rotary Action Group Against Hunger
View entire list
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Happy Birthday
Member Birthdays
Denise R. Ashe
August 9
 
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Club Meeting Info
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Jeffersonville Golf Club
2400 W Main St
Jeffersonville, PA 19403
United States of America
Phone:
(484) 994-2349
First 4 Thursdays of the Month