living out rotary's motto 'service above self'
sunrise rotary vero beach invites you to join us !
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.
SPEAKERS/PROGRAMS FOR OUR UPCOMING MEETINGS
March 22nd: Johnny B - Johnny B's Innovative Solutions
March 29th: Casey Lunceford - Gifford Youth Orchestra
April 5th: Lyn Kenny - Guatemela Trip
FELLSMERE COMMUNITY FRIDGE
The following article was recently published in the Sustainable Events Network and features Sunrise Rotary members Sue Flak, Gail DeRoy and Linda Scalco. Many other club members, community volunteers, and agencies work tirelessly on the Fellsmere Community Fridge project to make it a sustainable project that benefits those in need.
Volunteerism - Meet the Fellsmere Fridge and Gail Deroy and Linda Scalco
Francis Purvey (Administrator) on 7 Feb 2023 8:44 AM
What happens when eliminating food waste and community volunteers collide? Change that can unite communities for the better.
Thank goodness for volunteers - in hospitals, airports and at events, food pantries and almost everywhere in most communities. In essence the world and many populations rely on volunteers to survive.
When Sue Flak, a SENFC Board member and Sunrise Rotary Club of Vero Beach member presented the concept of a Community Fridge to her fellow Rotarians and the city leaders of Fellsmere, Florida (near Vero Beach). She received immediate support - and even a donor for the fridge itself. It opened officially on February 26th, 2022 so will soon be celebrating its one year anniversary.
What is a Community Fridge? Quite simply it typically is a household size refrigerator. Sometimes with a pantry. In communities with known food insecurity, food is positioned in an easily accessed and safe location. Food items are donated, and food items are used with the mantra “Take what you need, leave what you can.” Sue Flak shared the purpose of a community fridge “to reduce food waste, build stronger communities and promote equal access to healthy food.”
And now meet Gail Deroy and Linda Scalco, also members of the Sunrise Rotary Club and avid volunteers for the Fellsmere Fridge. They deliver food, some donated and some paid for out of their own pockets. According to Gail, “As a special education teacher in Rhode Island before retiring and moving to Vero Beach, I have always appreciated that not all people have the same opportunities. Now, when I drop off food at the Fellsmere Fridge and see happy faces coming to take some food, it is heart warming and with huge self satisfaction”. Linda, a former school counselor in New Jersey, added, “I really feel what gratitude is all about and feel it in my heart on every visit”.
They both acknowledged there are many volunteers supporting the Fellsmere Fridge and are happy to be involved. “Fellsmere Police Chief Keith Touchberry has been particularly supportive,” added Linda. While the corporate donors list is long, Gail recognizes a few regular donors - Publix, Panera, the Food Pantry of Indian River County, and the Shining Light Garden Foundation. These help to ensure that community needs are met by the community, allowing us all to benefit in the rewards of depleting food waste.
HELPING AT HALLSTROM
Several Sunrise Rotarians were out bright and early participating in the Hallstrom Conservation Cleanup. The 100+ acres around the Hallstrom Farmstead were purchased by Indian River County and are being restored as a nature preserve and green space. The County expects the 93-acre conservation area around the Hallstrom House to be open to the public sometime in early 2023.
JAZZ UNDER THE STARS
Sunrise Rotary helped with St. Francis Manor's Jazz Under the Stars Fundraiser.
GIFFORD YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Several Sunrise Rotarains and many community members recently attended the Gifford Youth Orchestra gala.
The GYO offers a refuge from the mundaneness that can blunt the creative energy that lies dormant in many. It provides an education experience and training in various cultural and performing arts, including music, drama, dance, and the vocal arts. It is a place that encourages exposing talent within, and a place where any child can walk in and know that they are welcomed and loved…….and that they matter.
11th ANNUAL CRAFT BREW AND WINGFEST
Thanks to all our wonderful sponsors and craft brewers, the 11th annual Craft Brew and Wingfest was a HUGH success!!
Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the festivities.
Click here for pictures of the event. You might just see yourself. Link
See you next year for the 12th annual event.
Saturday, February, 17th, 2024.
VIP EVENT
Pictures from the VIP event for the Craft Brew and Wingfest hosted by our MAJOR SPONSOR, Vero Beach Outlets.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
Sunrise Rotary recently received the Pollution Mapping All Stars Award from ORCA. This was to recognize our work and commitment to the long-term project that tests for a comprehensive array of water and sediment quality data. The two lagoon sampling sites our members monitor on a regular basis are the areas behind the Riverhouse and the dog park. This program provides needed data to initiate and maintain conservation actions.
4-WAY TEST WORKSHOP
Sunrise Rotary held a 4-Way Test workshop for the 8th grade class at Imagine School South Vero on Friday the 20th of January. The objective of the workshop was to help the students learn how to handle and solve personal predicaments as well as make good choices using the Rotary 4-Way Test. This is the second year we have conducted the program at the school.
HOMESTAY 2023
Captain Bob's Airboat Adventure BBQ Dinner
Lunch at Marsh Landing McClarty Treasure Museum
Triton Submarine Tour Farewell Luncheon at Regency Park
All five Rotary clubs of Indian River County played a part in the 47th annual HomeStay international service project. District Governor Elects from England, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands stayed with host Rotarians. Pictures above are a few of the many events scheduled during a busy five days of activities. HomeStay provides an opportunity to fellowship, network, exchange ideas, and to have fun with Rotarians from around the world.
ST. FRANCIS MANOR SINGALONG
Several Sunrise Rotarians held a singalong with the residents at St. Francis Manor. The Gifford Youth Orchestra joined in the festivities.
VERO BEACH CHRISTMAS PARADE
The Vero Beach Christmas Parade, sponsored by Sunrise Rotary, was held December 3rd. It was the largest parade Vero has ever had. Thank you to all of the participants as well as the public for supporting us as you did. (Photo credit to Joe Semkow for a wonderful shot of the parade as it advanced down Ocean Drive.)
Judging of parade participants included: Organization, School, and Business categories
NEW MEMBERS 2023
NANCY NITARDY
Nancy Nitardy moved to Vero Beach a year ago from Austin Texas to be closer to her mom (88) and dad (92) and, for the sunshine and beaches. In Austin, she spent twenty-one years in the Austin Independent School District. The first 6-yrs as the Program Director for the federal GEAR UP Grant. When the program ended, she continued at McCallum High School as the college counselor and golf coach for fifteen years Prior to Austin, she coached college swimming for fifteen years at Indiana University, Harvard University and Dartmouth College. Nancy is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Education. She also is an eighteen-time swimming All-American while at USC. Since moving here, she has become a mentor to a 7-yr old through the Youth Guidance program and volunteers and writes grants for the Sally Wilkey Foundation. In her free time, Nancy enjoys playing tennis, pickleball, and golf and loves to travel and read.
MEGAN ROOT
Megan Root is a Vero Beach native and a 2009 graduate of Vero Beach High School. She attended the University of South Carolina for her undergraduate studies. In 2016 she received her Juris Doctor and Certificate in Public Interest Law from The University of Alabama School of Law where she received multiple accolades for her service to the community, including the honor of Order of the Samaritan. Megan is a member of the law firm of Collins Brown Barkett where her practice focuses on civil litigation and guardianship law. Megan is an executive board member of the Saint Lucie Bar Association and the Young Lawyers’ Division of the Indian River County Bar Association. She is a founding member of the Gifford Legal Services Clinic. She is a licensed Zumba fitness instructor and a devoted cat and kitten foster mom with the local humane societies. In her spare time, Megan enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband, Craig, and her tailless cat, Boo.
ANDREA KAUPAS
Andrea Kaupas is a board-certified family physician who recently opened her own primary care office, Coast 2 Coast Healthcare, in Vero Beach. She was raised in northern Michigan but her medical training allowed her to experience life outside of the mitten state attending Kansas City University of Medicine, and completing specialty rotations in North Carolina, Delaware and New York. She returned to Michigan for her residency. She also participated in medical missions to Peru, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. Upon graduating residency she moved to Traverse City, MI and was a partner in a practice for over 10 years. Andrea and her husband have five-year-old twin boys and a German shorthair pointer named Piper. They moved to Vero Beach in January 2020 in pursuit of more sunshine. When not working, they enjoy being outdoors, travelling, running, and anything to tire out the boys.
JORDAN LULICH
Jordan J. Lulich is a licensed Florida Attorney who concentrates his practice in the areas of Real Property and Business. A large part of his practice entails the issuance of title insurance as he is an authorized title insurance agent for Old Republic National Title Company. Jordan is also a licensed Florida real estate instructor and enjoys presenting classes and seminars to real estate agents. Additionally, he provides instructional opportunities to real estate brokerages on law related topics. Jordan graduated from Indian River Charter High School and holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctorate from Florida State University. In his free time, he serves on the Board of the Indian River Charter High School, has completed numerous half marathons, 10k races, 5k races, and enjoys time competitively racing.
CONRAD "JIM" KUSEL
Jim grew up in Miami, attended Wake Forest University (’80), and Northwestern University School of Dentistry (’84). He joined his father’s dental practice in Port St. Lucie and soon after his brother Brian did as well. He joined Rotary in July of 1986 and has belonged to three different clubs – the Rotary club of Port St. Lucie, the Rotary Club of Vero Beach Sunrise and the Rotary Club of Havre, Montana. He has served in several positions in Rotary including president, as a board member, and as treasurer. He has been very active in numerous service projects at all three clubs. He and his wife, Karen, have been married 40 years and have three sons. James and his fiancée live in Naples, Italy where he is a Lieutenant Commander in the USN. Gregory and his wife live in Gainesville where he works as an environmental engineer for AECOM. Nathan and his wife live in Kissimmee where he works as a planner for the Transit and Transportation Department of Osceola County. Jim has semi-retired and he and Karen have relocated from Montana to Palm City.
NEW MEMBERS JULY - DECEMBER 2022
♦ Get to know these members by clicking on their picture ♦
CLARE MESHOT HARRISON BENNETT BOB HILDRETH
KYLE CASTLE KRISTIN JEWELL LYN KENNEY
ROTARY MEANS BUSINESS
Rotary Means Business meets the first Thursday of each month
7:30 - 8:30am
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 IS THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
♦♦♦ MARCH ♦♦♦
15
International Committee Meeting
27
Scholarship Committee Meeting
28
Environmental Committee Meeting
♦♦♦ APRIL ♦♦♦
5
Literacy Committee Meeting
7
Membership Committee Meeting
♦♦♦ MAY ♦♦♦
6
Rotary Leadership Institute
13
St. Francis Manor Mother's Day Brunch
INTERACT CLUB
Our Interact Club recently held a bake sale and raised $207 for Little Birthday Angels!
SUNRISE ROTARY COMMITTEES
Community Service & Partnerships
Co-Chair - Jane Burton
Co-Chair - Dave Schwartz
Environmental
Chair - Sue Flak
Health & Welfare
Chair - Kathy Lindsey
Interntional
Chair - Rick Root
Literacy
Chair - Wendy Orthober
Membership
Chair - Tarik Kawi
Public Image
Co-Chair - Deb Avery
Co-Chair - Deb Perez
Rotary Means Business
Chair - Joanne Liakos
Scholarships
Chair - Ed Massey
Vocational
Chair - Tracy Carroll
Youth
Chair - Mike Murphy
THIS IS ROTARY!!!!
The Rotary Foundation
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?
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For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio.
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$50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness.
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$500 can launch an antibullying campaign and create a safe environment for children.
CLEAN UP PROJECT
Sunrisre Rotary Vero Beach partnered with the Teal Team from Exit Right Realty to clean up around the local marina. The group removed over 50 pounds of unsightly trash!!!! Our club works hard to make a positive impact on the environmental challenges in our area.
DODGERTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Linda Scalco, Kathy Lindsey, and Wilfred Hart set up a display and talked with participants at Dodgertown Elementary’s “Summer Kick-Off” event.
Wendy Orthober worked the afternoon shift.
Help Your Community!
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!
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
Vero Beach has a new Little Free Library. Thank you Marty Lewis, Past President, Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach, for constructing and installing this at the Environmental Learning Center.
POLLUTION MAPPING PROJECT
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, Pam O’Donnell and Gene O’Donnell. They collected samples from the lagoon then analyzed and reported their findings at ORCA’s Center for Citizen Science. The purpose of the project is to educate and engage community members in solving the problems that lead to degradation of the Indian River Lagoon.
WOMEN IN ROTARY
