Botetourt Rotary Director Joe Obenshain along with outgoing Rotary President Don Nichols and incoming President Husain Alam recognized the charter members of the Botetourt Rotary Club during the June 19 meeting. Charter members received a certificate of recognition and a charter member pin.
The Botetourt Rotary Club was formed after the Buchannan Rotary, founded in 1938, dwindled to three active members. Joe Obenshain was instrumental in founding the Botetourt Rotary Club in 2017. The club has grown to 27 members and welcomes anyone in the community that would like to participate. Rotary’s mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world understanding through its’ following of business, professional and community leaders.
The Club’s charter members include: Anita Aaron, Husain Alam, John Alexander, Angie Anderson, Terry Austin, Kathryn Bishop, Tim Bradshaw, Christine Broughton, Cheryl Dillon, Todd Dodson, Charles Durham, John Garman, James Garner, Lethia Hammond, John Herrig, Chris Hollis, Brent Hershey, Gavin Miller, Don Nichols, Dee Nichols, Joe Obenshain, Jeff Stritesky, John Rader, Tricia Reynolds, Dan Robb, Scott Steele and Steve Sanford.
Rotary members elected officers for the upcoming year. The following individuals will serve as local officers: Husain Alam, President; Lethia Hammond, President-elect; Don Nichols, Immediate Past President; Anita Aaron, Secretary; Charles Durham, Treasurer; and Angie Anderson, Joe Obenshain, Jeff Stritesky, Directors.
Club members participated in nine community and fundraising events in 2018, with a focus on raising money for equipment for the Addy Grace All Abilities Playground at the YMCA in Daleville.
Rotary members hosted a Mystery Night Dinner at Ballast Point Brewery in May to fund summer scholarships to allow special needs children to attend Camp AuSome at Hope Tree Family Services in Salem. In June, the Interact Committee met to interview a candidate for the W.E. Skeleton Memorial Scholarship, which supports tuition and housing for a student wishing to study abroad. On August 1, club members will volunteer at the Daleville Town Center Party at the Pavilion. Plans are now under way for a November raffle with the majority of proceeds benefiting the Botetourt County Public Schools Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs.
If you would like to donate a prize for the raffle or serve your community through the Botetourt Rotary, the club meets every first and third Wednesday of the month at Ballast Point, 555 International Drive, Daleville. All are welcome to attend.
