BE A CHUCK - CHUCK HOWEY

Be a CHUCK!

The Howey family is truly a story about the family of Rotary!

Chuck, Dee and the Howey family are all about passion and compassion. Chuck’s generosity of spirit has been an inspiration to family, friends and Rotarians around the world.

Chuck and Dee Howey and the Howey Family Foundation has sponsored over 45 projects and initiatives including: various Micro Finance projects, water wells (Ghana), medical missions (Haiti), the Children of the Dump (Nicaragua), the Howey Medical Center (Ethiopia), Polio Surveillance Lab in Mumbai (India), Water wells, schools and bathrooms (Nigeria), water wells (St. Lucia, Carribean) and currently working with DG Noel Jackson on a Dental Clinic (Ghana). The Howey Foundation has donated over $1,000,000 for humanitarian projects by RI, District 6400, District 6960 and the Rotary Club of Trenton.

Chuck is a “natural resource” of the Trenton Rotary Club and Super District 6400. Several Super 6400 leaders have shared their impressions of Chuck Howey and his impact on our local and world community:

“I’ve learned so much about leadership and motivation from Charles (Chuck) O. Howey. His focus is on lending a hand to the poorest of the poor. He strongly believes in the power of partnerships and collaborations. Chuck also believes in surrounding himself with good people, setting high expectations and then lavishing praise on all those who stepped up and helped out.

One of the early stories about Chuck’s passion and intensity goes back nearly 50 years… In December 1974, the Trenton president gets a call from the Trenton police about one of our members impeding traffic at a bank drive through while soliciting for Salvation Army. The officer indicated that Mr. Howey’s out there, ringing the bell and not letting cars pass until they put money in the bucket. And was an early indication of his dedication to, and focus on, Rotary.” --Mike McCullough, Past RI Director “Chuck is very tough, but passionate. He practices what he preaches. He is very conservative, but loves to help those he will never meet, whether a Polio lab in India, schools in Africa, Medical Center in Ethiopia or water projects throughout the world - he personifies Rotary’s motto “Service above Self!” Your family is very PROUD of you Chuck (Dad)!” -- John Howey (Son) Past President, Trenton

“Chuck and Dee Howey radiate goodness through “service above self”. The Howeys will never meet the Ethiopian villagers whose lives have been forever changed due to their generous contribution to the new medical facility. The world is a better place because of them.” -- PDG Donna Schmidt

“As a new member, I was impressed with Rotary and its leaders. One man stood above the others -- That man was Chuck Howey. Over the years I realized the depth of his accomplishments, humanity, and philanthropy. == I first learned about the CHUCK HOWEY Arch Klumph Society from Chuck. Kiddingly I would joke, “I wanted to be just like Chuck when I grow up.” This was a non-attainable dream, or so I thought. Chuck’s leadership inspired my wife Debbie and I to become Arch Klumph members. Be careful who you choose as your HERO (Human Engaging Rotary Opportunities) or you might find that you want to “Be a Chuck!” --DG Noel Jackson

“One highlight at our 2015 Rotary Institute in Detroit was the inclusion of 200 youth attendees (many from inner city schools). I approached Chuck Howey to sponsor them and he readily agreed saying that he recognized it as an investment in their future. During the event, we focused on Chuck’s generosity and kindness by distributing “Be a Chuck” buttons.” --Jennifer Jones, Past RI Vice President

and current Foundation Trustee

“In Nigeria in 2009, Chuck Howey and his Foundation helped to support the drilling of 12 water wells in Nigeria. The following year we followed up by building a school with its own well and a pit latrine washroom with running water and showers. The first 12 wells cost nearly $60,000US and was supported by many clubs and individuals including the Howey’s. The school and latrine project was built in 2010 costing $60,000 and was supported by the Howey’s and 4 other families. Sharada Village occupied one square mile with a population of 1 million. They had no potable water before we started adding wells. The village leader pledged to keep immunizing children against Polio every year as part of the deal for the water wells. Since then the village has never had another case of Polio.” --PDG Neil McBeth

In 2004, a two-page article in The Rotarian featured Chuck and Dee as they were inducted into the Arch Klumph Society at RI Headquarters. In that story Chuck was quoted, “We formed the family foundation because I’d like to see some of the fruits while I am still living.”

Another significant quote from the article – “You really don’t understand Rotary until you’ve been to a District Conference,” says Chuck. “It’s utterly fantastic! The people are really dedicated, talking from the heart with a great deal of care and love.”

Bottom line: Chuck Howey’s generosity of spirit is expressed in his leadership style, his passion, vision and monetary contributions. “After all, it’s an investment in humanity,” says Chuck.