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Welcome to Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach! 

We meet on Wednesday mornings at 7:00 a.m. (breakfast available at 6:30 a.m.) at the Riverhouse - 305 Acacia Road.

Chartered in 1989, Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach is made up of members of our community who volunteer throughout Vero Beach, Indian River County, the state of Florida and internationally under the motto 'Service Above Self.'

Some of our areas of focus indclude improving our environment, combating hunger, impacting the health and welfare needs of a variety of popultaions, providing education and job training, promoting peace, eradicating polio and so much more!  

We are small business owners, corporate executives, non-profit leaders, government officials, as well as retired executives and professionals who meet weekly to share camaraderie, hear from speakers on important topics, and plan meaningful projects to benefit others.

Contact Us Now to Learn More.

July 8th:       Ed Glaser - IRCSO Cold Cases

July 15th:     Peggy Cunninghan - Center for Memory & Movement

July 22nd:    Senior Resources

Sunrise Rotary members proudly participated in the Independence Day Parade, joining the community in celebrating our nation's 250th birthday.

Members of our Environmental Committee recently assembled oyster mats for placement in the lagoon, where they will help restore oyster habitats, improve water quality, and support a healthier ecosystem.

A ribbon cutting was recently held at the Rotary Corner, located at 14th Avenue and 21st Street, celebrating the completion of a 14-month revitalization project. The transformation has created a beautiful space featuring native and seasonal landscaping, trees, and lighting. While the project is finished, our commitment to the Rotary Corner remains. Fundraising efforts help provide the care and maintenance needed to keep this welcoming place beautiful and sustainable for our community for years to come. Engraved pavers are still available for purchase on the “Engraved Pavers” page of our website.

Investing in education is an investment in the future. By providing laptops and tablets to local middle school students, our Rotary Club is helping equip tomorrow's leaders with the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Together, we are building a better world through education.  Pictured above are Rotarians Pam O'Donnell, Chris Steinkrauss, Barbara duPont, Jane Burton, Wilfred Hart and the student recipients from Gifford Middle School.  

Rotarians Ed Massey and Kevin Anderson represented our club in awarding scholarships to local high school graduates supporting their next steps and reinforcing our ongoing commitment to education and opportunity.

Sunrise Rotary Club partners with local elementary schools to promote literacy by reading with students. At the conclusion of each visit, every child receives a book to take home, helping foster both reading skills and a lasting appreciation for books.  Pictured reading are Pam O'Donnell, Paul Westcott, and George Blythe.

Another successful Treasure Coast Craft Spirits Fest took place over the weekend.  More vendors and more participants than last year which equaled more fun!  Unit next years - Cheers!   

Thank you Rotarian George Blythe for stocking the Fellsmere Community Fridge and pantry.  Volunteers are always needed to pick up, deliver, and stock supplies for food insecure individuals and families in our local communities.  George does this on a regular basis.  BE LIKE GEORGE!  

Rotokids held an event at St. Francis Manor on St. Patrick's Day.  It was a fun time of games and interacting with with residents.  

It was another successful Craft Brew and Wingfest thanks to our wonderful sponsors and all of you who attended.  Until next year.......

Our RotaKids, under the diredtion of Rotarian Wendy Orthober, braved the cold and wind and did a super job on the beach cleanup at Humiston Beach.

Another successful Homestay!!!

A number of our Rotarians partipated in the Walk to Rember.  The WALK TO REMEMBER raises awareness and funds that support essential programs and services for individuals and families in Indian River County who are impacted by memory and/or movement disorders.   Service Above Self in action.  

A hardworking group of Sunrise Rotarians braved the heat and humidity and volunteered on International Coastal Cleanup Day.  By removing litter and debris from our waterways they are helping to preserve the natural beauty of Indian River County, protect wildlife, and support a cleaner, healthier environment for the entire community.

♦♦♦JULY♦♦♦

14

Board Meeting

St. Francis Manor - 5:30PM

20

Community Service Committee Meeting

Elk's Lodge - 5:30PM

24

Homestay Committee Meeting 

C J Cannons - 7:30AM

30

International Committee Meeting 

Rick's Office - 5:30PM

JODY INFANTINO

Jody was born in Chattahoochee County. She spent much of her life in New York, where she raised her two children, Peter and Samantha (“Sam”), as a single mother. She has more than 20 years of experience in relocation, client services, and logistics helping families and executives through major life transitions.  She previously worked as a consultant for Cartus managing employee benefits for clients including Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. She later expanded into the moving industry, specializing in high-touch relocation services for VIP households and corporate clients. Jody currently serves as the Customer Relations Specialist for Coastal Van Lines, a family-owned business that has proudly served the Vero Beach community for 45 years.  Jody relocated to Vero Beach in March of last year and became actively involved in organizations including Wreaths Across America, Treasure Coast Food Bank, and Little Birthday Angels. She an active member of BNI, Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, Realtors Association of Indian River County, Vero Beach Christian Business Association, and Treasure Coast Builders Association.  Outside of work, Jody enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, volunteering, staying active at the gym, listening to music, and attending Christ Fellowship Church.

AMANDA DARRESS

Amanda Darress is a second-generation advisor based in Vero Beach, Forida, with nearly two decades of experience in the financial services industry. She leads the Darress Advisory Group at Ameriprise Financial, where she provides a comprehensive range of personalized financial planning and wealth management services. Her community impact includes supporting local non-profits with a focus on women and children and humanitarian outreach that extends to Costa Rica and Brazil. Amanda is a woman of faith and mother of three. She enjoys spending time with her family and two French bulldogs, traveling, time on the water, and cycling.

JAQUELYN WILLIAMS

Jaquelyn Williams is a Vero Beach native with over 16+ years of experience in local non-profits and NPO events as a board member of the Vero Beachside Bonfire and Community Affairs/Fundraising Manager for Shore lb & Little Board Riders.  She volunteers for events/fundraising for Do You Give a Ruck, IRCFD Benevolent Fund,IRCFD Firefighters Fair, and the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association.  She has 20+ years of professional experience in organizational management, with an emphasis on IT, engineering recruitment, people management, business management (from being a small business owner to HR Director & GM to corporate level management), event management, organizational restructure, and community affairs/networking across multiple industries.

NOAH MOORE

Noah is an insurance professional dedicated to helping individuals, families, and businesses protect what matters most. He joined Rotary because of his strong commitment to community involvement, service, and connecting with others who share those values. Outside of work, Noah enjoys fishing and boating, golfing, and watching sports. He looks forward to contributing to local service projects and becoming even more involved in our community.

JOVANY COSSIO

Jovany is a husband to Jenny and father to Roman and Jiovany. He was raised in Miami, then moved to Texas for about six years before living in an RV and traveling the country for two years. He came to the Treasure Coast in early 2023 and is now a resident of Vero Beach. Jovany received his bachelor of accounting from Florida International and Master of Taxation from Nova Southeastern. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has been in public accounting since 2008. He has been part of service organizations since 2017 serving in Texas and then Fort Pierce. He also served in multiple churches in children ministry. In his spare time, Jovany enjoys the beach, paddleboarding, hiking, jiujitsu and family time.

ELENA GUAGENTI-TAX

Elena Guagenti-Tax and her husband, Zoltan, purchased a townhouse in Vero Beach in 2008 while their son, Zack, was attending a baseball clinic at Dodger Stadium. They currently reside in White Plains, New York, in Westchester County, and commute to Vero every other month. Elena has maintained a private psychotherapy practice in New York for over 30 years. She has also established a practice in Vero Beach, which she plans to expand, when her husband, a CPA, retires and they move here permanently. They have been married for 46 years and have three married children, five grandchildren, and one on the way. Elena enjoys working out, playing racquetball and pickleball, and entertaining family and friends. She comes from a large Italian-American family, many of whom live in both Vero Beach and Westchester. She is affectionately known as “Mama Elena.”  She was an active member of White Plains Rotary for eight years and looks forward to serving with her fellow Rotarians in Vero Beach.

SHANE MEEKS

Shane Meeks is a third generation Meeks of Vero Beach. He graduated from Vero Beach High School in 2011 and moved to Orlando where he attended The University of Central Florida and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Radio and Communications. His initial goal was to become a morning radio on-air talent.  During his time in college, he interned at a radio station in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.  Upon his return, he did an internship with the KVJ Show down in WPB. After those experiences, he found radio wasn’t for him and he made my way to the mortgage field where he is today.

JAY WOODHULL

Raised in Old Lyme, CT, Jay was an avid sailor and rowed crew spending his spare time on the water. In lieu of college, he joined the Army National Guard and served for 9 years, achieving the rank of Staff Sargent, while also entering the working world in sales. In 1987 he was offered an opportunity to be part of a startup freight brokerage and is still there today. After he and his wife, Marie, raised their two children in Glastonbury, CT and became empty nesters in 2009, they moved to Vero Beach. Since then, they have been blessed with 5 wonderful grandchildren.

LEE HAEFELE 

Lee Haefele and his wife, Sherry (also a Rotarian), are snowbirds splitting their time between Spencer, New York and Vero Beach.  He owns a cable TV and Internet provider in Spencer, which is near Itaca. He is a Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow.  Additionally, he is a board member of two nonprofits, Inspire S/VE and HTS Congo. He is an avid sailor and enjoys working with electricity.

Rotary Means Business meets the first Thursday of each month 

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Baci Trattoria - 1918 14TH Avenue

 Contact a Sunrise Rotarian for your invitation

Rotarians are welcome!  

Rotary Means Business encourages Rotarians to support the success of their fellow Rotarians by doing business with them, and by referring others to them.    

NEXT MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 6

The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.  Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.  With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world.

Our mission

The mission of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

What impact can one donation have?

• For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio.

• $50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness.

• $500 can launch an antibullying campaign and create a safe environment for children.

​

Consider being a part of our dynamic club serving Vero Beach, the state of Florida, and beyond.

Contact a Sunrise Rotarian & find out how you can become a Member!

Thank you to Jim Parks for installing our Little Free Libraries.  Our Club sponsors and maintains these in numerous places throughout town.  

Community Service

Co-Chair - Debbie Avery

Co-Chair - Justin Lefebure

Environmental

Chair - Ryan Padnuk

Foundation

Chair - Arthur Hodge

Health & Wellness 

Chair - Colby Bechtold

International

Co-Chair - Rick Root

Co-Chair - Megan Root

Literacy & Youth

Chair - Wendy Orthober

Membership 

Chair - Nick Bruce

Public Image

Co-Chair - Deb Avery

Rotary Means Business

Chair - Darrell Horn

Scholarships

Chair - Ed Massey

Vocational

Chair - Linda Scalco

Sunrise Rotary is involved with the Ocean Research & Conservation Association’s Pollution Mapping Project on a regular basis.  The most recent expedition Saturday included Rotarians Mike Murphy, Jack Diehl, Kathy Lindsey, Justin Lefebure.  They collected samples from the lagoon then analyzed and reported their findings at ORCA’s Center for Citizen Science.  The two lagoon sampling sites our members monitor on a regular basis are the areas behind the Riverhouse and the dog park. This sampling provides needed data to initiate and maintain conservation actions. The purpose of the poject is to educatte and engage community members in solving the problmes that lead to the degradation of the Indian River lagoon.  

Rotarians Wendy Orthober, Pam O'Donnell, Chris Steinkrauss, and Nancy Nitardy are shown reading to elementary school students.  Our club does this twice a week in several local schools to stress the importance of books.

Rotary Rescues Life Saving Stations, a project of Sunrise Roatry, have been installed at the beaches and boat ramps.  Sponsorship opportunities still available.  

Rotarians and members from the Interact Club braved the heat to do a huge cleanup at Jones' Pier.  This is an ongoing beautification program our Club does on a regular basis.    

A number of Rotarians from the Club spent the day restocking the disaster relief trailer.  It is now ready to go whenever and wherever needed.