Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser Beneficiary Check Presentation Date: 8/14/25 Presentation to: Norristown Hospitality Center Montgomery Child Advocacy Project
Thanks, Alan
Our little Kiwanis/Rotary sharing library is back in business. Check it out at the Audubon Shopping Center. Library cards not required.
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.
The Norristown Rotary hosted two leaders of the Barn Playhouse/Dramateurs at their August 7, 2025 meeting at the JGC. Board President Steve DiNenno and Board Member Michael Riggs provided background on this local theatrical treasure, founded in 1934 by teachers from area school districts who performed for charity.
In 1937, the group purchased the Barn at Christopher Lane and Rittenhouse Blvd from the grandson of David Rittenhouse. It was the first building erected on the Halford Tract in 1725?
Since its founding 91 years ago, the Dramateurs have produced 307 plays and musicals, with its aim to stimulate greater interest in arts and literature in the area.
The Dramateurs operates the Barn’s 175-seat theater with five shows, including one youth show that draws from area high school talent, from April to October. Starting Friday, August 15, the group will present Shrek, the Musical, finishing its 2025 season with The Play That Goes Wrong in October.
With a budget of roughly $80,000, the 501 (c) 3 organization relies on revenue from ticket sales, sponsors foundations, program ads and concessions. In additions to its performances, the Dramateurs offer a variety of workshops, e.g., stage management, Shakespeare and provides a scholarship to a NAHS grad who shows promise in arts/music.
Mounting five productions a year requires quite a bit of effort and cost. The 9-person Board has 15 committees who must clear and purchase royalties for each show, create props and engage volunteers to produce, perform and provide music for each show. Since each production is its own entity, they must secure musical directors/directors for each show; provides budgets, promotion and logistical support; and maintains the property, show licensing and proper insurance.
The pit band changes, and there are opportunities for individuals who played instruments in school to be considered for performances. The 2026 season has been announced; see photo for dates and shows. For more information, visit https://www.barnplayhouse.org/
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:
Watering Schedule – Set up a monthly watering rotation for current plants*. If each Rotary member signs up once a month, we should be covered.
Sod Removal – Phase 1 – Reach out to local sod farms to see if they’re interested in removing sod at no cost.
Sod Removal – Phase 2 – If no luck with sod farms, get estimates from local landscapers for sod removal.
Community Partnerships – Contact local garden clubs, scout troops, Whitehall Farms, and Norristown Rotaract to explore collaboration.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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