The Magic of Rotary
Youth Services Month
01: Midlothian Club Sportsman’s Fundraiser
01: D7600 End Polio Now BaseballRichmond Flying Squirrels
02: National Space Day
03: Goochland Club Citizens & Community Heroes Event
03: JCC Club Williamsburg Craft Beer Fest
03: World Press Freedom Day
04: May the Fourth Be With You
05: James River Club Annual Sporting Clays Tournament
05: Buddha’s Birthday
05: Day of Awareness of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls
08: Hanover County Club 40 Annual Shrimp th & Suds Feast
08: Victory in Europe (VE) Day
09: Military Spouse Appreciation Day
09: Innsbrook Club Pickle-de-Mayo Pickleball Tournament
17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
18: International Museum Day
20: World Bee Day (I see you Jan!)
21: World Meditation Day
24: RLI Part II - Smithfield
25: National Wine Day
31: District Global Grant Management Seminar (Virtual)
It’s May!
So, may I ask you a question? What has been the greatest moment your club has had so far? Together, we have achieved incredible impact across our District and contributed to projects around the globe I can’t wait to celebrate these accomplishments with you at the Awards and Change of Leadership event on July 12 at The Colonial Heritage Club Save the date!
Highlights from This Month’s Newsletter
1 Giving Tuesday Success
On April 1 (no fooling!), we achieved our largest single-day contributions to date Foundation Development Chair Ron Lynde has shared more details in his article Thank you for believing in the power of the Foundation and demonstrating that we can make a real difference
2 Membership Growth Milestones
District Membership Chair Tracy Lego and his team have worked tirelessly with clubs to achieve remarkable membership growth Whether it’s through Satellite, Companion, or Impact clubs, our numbers are soaring With more members, we have more hands to make an even greater impact on our projects
District ICA Chair Rich Salon’s article highlights some exciting updates, including: Congratulations to The Rotary Club of Warwick at City Center for launching the newest Satellite Club, soon followed by The Rotary Club of Petersburg Spoiler alert: We’re on track for a positive net membership gain for 2024-2025! Thank you for your unwavering commitment and belief in our ability to achieve these milestones
Events and Activities Recap
22nd Annual Peace Conference
In April, I attended the Peace Conference at UNC Chapel Hill, where Rotary Peace Fellow graduates presented their research on "Stories of Peace: Centering Community for Collective Transformation " It was an inspiring experience to hear about their impactful work
A group from District 7600 joined District 7610 for dinner before the event, enjoying camaraderie and fellowship On Saturday, we were captivated by the Fellows’ presentations If you couldn’t attend, you can still experience it through the recorded sessions Consider attending next year on April 11 Here’s the link to this year’s recordings: Rotary Peace Conference 2023 Recording
District 7600 Golf Tournament
The Rotary District 7600 Golf Tournament at Kingsmill was a blast! PDG Gary Chenault’s long-standing tradition remains a highly anticipated event for golfers I had the privilege of traveling with Gary by motor cart to cheer on teams as they competed for the coveted trophy and cash prizes. A portion of the proceeds supported the Old Dominion Honor Flight. Many thanks to Neva Lynde and Jack Clark for organizing such a delightful day
Goochland’s 2nd Annual Community Recognition Event
My home club hosted its 2nd Annual Community Recognition event, honoring exceptional individuals from Fire-Rescue, the Sheriff’s Office, County Administration, and Public Schools PDGs Jim Bynum, Stephen Beer, Kenny Janes, and Rudy Garcia joined us for this special celebration
Looking Ahead
While my schedule was slightly disrupted due to a visit from COVID, I am excited to move forward into May with warmer weather and more opportunities to connect Keep the Magic of Rotary alive and thriving as we continue our journey together
Three Times A Charm!
On March 26, we had the pleasure of inducting Brooke Lustig into the West Richmond Rotary Club!
(l-r: Membership Chair Clark Coulbourn, Trey Arnold (in the back), Brooke Lustig, and Kellie Murphy)
On April 2, we proudly inducted Cameron Oglesby into membership of our club Cameron brings enthusiasm, talent, and a strong commitment to our shared mission, and we’re thrilled to have them as part of our community.
(l-r: Tom Wood, Trey Arnold, Cam Oglesby, and Membership Co-Chair Berno Hamilton
On April 9, we were proud to announce that Dawn Bishop was officially inducted into our Rotary Club Her commitment and enthusiasm have already made her a valued member of our community
(l-r: Tom Wood, Trey Arnold, Cam Oglesby, and Membership Co-Chair Berno Hamilton
The James City County Rotary Club is thriving with more accomplished new members!
Claude Dallas and Stephanie Robinson bring impressive backgrounds and deep connections to Rotary programs, which will surely enrich the club's initiatives. Claude's experience as a youth exchange student in Brazil and his mother's involvement in Rotary highlight a family tradition of service
Similarly, Stephanie's participation in global grants and her father's long-standing commitment to Rotary reflect a shared dedication to making a positive impact Rotary clubs foster a sense of community and global understanding, and these new additions are well aligned with those values. What a wonderful way to continue the legacy of service!
(l-r Claude Dallas, Neva Lynde, Stephanie Robinson, Steve Robinson)
The Rotary Club of Hanover welcomes new member!
Dave Bickel has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors as well as a commitment to serve those who have served our country. His career has spanned various industries including technology, finance, healthcare, and veteran services. Most recently Dave has focused on making a positive impact on the lives of veterans, particularly those elder veterans with no Internet knowledge. To that end he is actively working to set up a Veterans Benefits Claims service planned to help these individuals navigate the often complex and challenging VA claims process.
We are delighted to welcome Dave to the Club!
Ted Warlick reads the Rotary membership challenge to our new member Dave Bickel
MARCH MADNESS – Rotary Style Update
Brought to you from Rich Salon, aka Rich-The-HR-Guy, your District Membership Innovation Chair
District 7600 Rotarians
Our district has formed one Satellite club over the prior four years combined. However, after creating our inaugural “March-Madness – Rotary Style” tournament over the past few months, our district may form as many as ten new “Innovative Clubs,” also called Satellite, Companion, or Impact club types Also, these new clubs may account for as many as one hundred new club members within District 7600 (Remember, it is not about “the numbers” and it never should be, it is all about the additional community service our clubs perform after adding more members)
Here are the current tourney stats:
· Newport News has formed their Innovative Club
· Petersburg has formed their new Innovative Club
· Warwick at City Center has formed their new Innovative Club
· Hampton Roads has formed their new Innovative Club
· Norfolk has submitted their Innovative Club application (currently under review at Rotary International headquarters)
· Petersburg-Breakfast has submitted their Innovative Club application (currently under review at Rotary International headquarters)
· Innsbrook has submitted their Innovative Club application (currently under review at Rotary International headquarters)
· Richmond has met the qualifications and are in the process of submitting their Innovative Club application.
· Cape Henry is 75% of the way in meeting the qualifications,
· Oyster Point and Goochland are 40% of the way
· Churchland, Cape Charles, and Portsmouth have recently entered the tournament! With all these clubs forming in such a short window of time, do you think we might set some kind of record within Rotary International? Yes, I think it is possible Pl h th l b
May 1, 2025 - May 30, 2025
There are only 1,000 tickets available and each ticket has twenty chances to win prizes
The Giving Tuesday Event: A Story of Growth and Impact
by Ron Lynde, District Fundraising Committee Chair
The Giving Tuesday event continues to soar to new heights! Since its inception by PDG Chuck Arnason, this remarkable initiative has achieved over 20% annual growth in donations for eight consecutive years. Take a look at its impressive journey: four years ago, we raised $62,214; last year, donations skyrocketed to $118,340; and this year, we've surpassed expectations by collecting an incredible $142,540, all from just 643 generous donors.
A key driver of engagement is the bonus recognition points awarded to Rotarians who participate. This year alone, we’re thrilled to transfer over 93,000 recognition points to our Giving Tuesday contributors.
But let’s not lose sight of the event’s original purpose helping our District achieve its Rotary Foundation goals With a District Foundation Goal of $371,574 for this Rotary year, we're proud to report that we're already 96 6% of the way there with two months remaining
We know we can hit this target, but it will take the commitment of every Rotarian With over 2,200 members in our District, each contribution matters.
Together, we can continue to make a difference and achieve our annual giving goal.
April 10, 2025
D7600 GOLF OUTING AT KINGSMILL
On April 15, the Rotary District 7600 Golf Outing was held at the Kingsmill Resort with the 9th annual support from the James City County Rotary Club (Breakfast and Evening Groups) who provided overall support to over 92 golfers.
Shown helping to welcome the golfers at the bag drop off are Rotarians Charles Glazener, Victor Holman, Paul Miyamasu.
Shown helping to register the golfers are Paul Miyamasu, Roger Saunders, Neva Lynde, Patti Boxeth, Ronnie Daumit, Marisol Howard, Ann Ledbetter, Susan Rees, Jack Greenhalgh, Golf chair Garry Chenault, Carol Mitchell, Pat Van Zandt, Gail Saunders.
The 2d place team was from Colonial Heritage Shown are team captain Tom Cahill with his team members with District Governor Joy Kline.
(l-r,
The Rotary Club that had the most players (seven) in the outing received $660 that was specifically designated for PolioPlus and credited to the club's giving at Rotary International.
Thank you, Rotary Club of Smithfield, for supporting the District event and PolioPlus. Pictured are DG Joy and four Smithfield golfers.
E N I N G S
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supportive Golfers and James City County Rotary Volunteers
The JCC Club extends its sincere gratitude to the 92 golfers who joined us for the 9th annual District 7600 Golf Outing April 15th was yet another unforgettable day filled with great golf, camaraderie, and fun Your generosity made an incredible difference! Together, we raised $1,600 for the Old Dominion Honor Flight, supporting their mission to honor local Veterans by providing them with trips to visit their memorials in Washington, D C
District Governor Joy Kline spent the day helping us experience the Magic of Rotary by providing meaningful impact to our Veterans A special shoutout goes to the Friend of Rotary golfer who demonstrated true selflessness by donating his winnings ($800) to this meaningful cause
On April 26th, at the departure ceremony for the Honor Flight's mission, JCC Club President Travis Rabb presented a check to Steve Combs, VP of Richmond Honor Flight This impactful program relies entirely on donations.
You can contribute to its vital work here: olddominionhonorflight
If you’re interested in an Honor Flight representative presenting to your club, please reach out to Rotarian Paul Miyamasu, RC of James City County (Paul Miyamasu@gmail com)
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for our next golf event, the Rotary Club of James City County Golf Fundraiser, happening on September 16, 2025, once again at the beautiful River Course at Kingsmill Stay tuned for registration and sponsorship details.
Taste of Farmville
"We wanted to take a moment to reflect on and share just how meaningful the Taste of Farmville is not only to our Rotary Club but to the entire Farmville and Prince Edward County community
This annual event is more than just a delicious evening filled with some of the best food our local restaurants and vendors have to offer It’s a celebration of community, connection, and giving back
Guests from all walks of life gathered to enjoy incredible bites, share stories, and sway to the smooth sounds of the Longwood Jazz Ensemble But what truly made the night special was the spirit behind it neighbors coming together to support causes that make a difference in our community.
Funds raised from Taste of Farmville go directly toward the many projects and initiatives the Rotary Club of Farmville supports throughout the year, from youth programs and scholarships to local service projects and emergency aid
We’re proud of what this event represents: community pride, generosity, and the belief that when we come together, we can do great things.”
Western Henrico Rotary Club Keep Henrico Beautiful – Road Clean-up
The Western Henrico Rotary Club executed our first Henrico County roadway cleanup Saturday, April 5 on Ridgefield Parkway between Pump and Gaskins Roads Our club had adopted the same portion of County roadway 9 years back supporting the program over a 4 year period We are excited to “re-adopt”this initiative and actively do what we can to keep our roadways cleaner!
from L to R are Rotarians: Barry
Carol
D I S T R I
Rotarians attend Henrico’s 5th Annual Excellence in Education Celebration
Rotarians from Rotary District 7600 attended the 5th Annual Excellence in Education Celebration on behalf of the club, showing strong support for Henrico County’s commitment to transforming public education through innovation and community partnership
Hosted by the Henrico Education Foundation (HEF), the event invited guests to interact with hands-on exhibits and explore a wide range of educational programs designed to promote student health, wellness, and life readiness These programs developed in collaboration with industry partners highlight the power of innovation in preparing students for success beyond the classroom
Each interactive station was staffed by students, educators, and school leaders who shared firsthand how these initiatives have impacted their learning environments From STEM projects to wellness campaigns, attendees had a unique opportunity to engage directly and ask questions truly experiencing the future of education in action
“It was truly inspiring to witness the passion and innovation coming from our schools and students,” said Raghavan. “This event is a testament to what’s possible when education and community work hand in hand ”
Also in attendance were several fellow Rotarians and leaders from across the district, including Joy Kline (Rotary District 7600 Governor), Jay Shively (Executive Director of the Henrico Education Foundation), Pam Kelleher, Arthur Lee Weisiger, and William J. Crowder, further demonstrating Rotary’s deep-rooted commitment to education and community service
Special thanks to Jay Shively and the team at HEF for organizing such a remarkable celebration
Cheers to good company and great conversations!
Rotary Club of Innsbrook members gathered this evening at The Daily Kitchen & Bar @ Short Pump for a fun and relaxed happy hour social
It was a perfect end of the week break to connect, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company outside of our regular meetings
Grateful for moments like these that strengthen our fellowship and remind us of the friendships that fuel our service.
Sometimes doing good in the world is just having a laugh with friends.
On 18 April, the James City County Rotary Club members were glad to welcome for breakfast a visiting Rotarian, Donna Boyce, from the St. Augustine Sunset Club, St. Augustine Florida, District 6970 Her son, Claude Dallas, is also a local Rotarian with our Evening Group Claude also was a Rotary Exchange student in Brazil and his coat jacket shows all of the exchange pins he received from other students during his tour Shown are Claude Dallas and Donna Boyce
Submitted by Paul Miyamasu
Community Grant Check Presentation on April 24th to the Prince Edward County High School Band by the Rotary Club of Farmville.
Submitted by Andrew Payne
BLUE SKY FUND
On April 8th, several club members of the Rotary Club of West Richmond volunteered to assist students and teachers from Richmond Public Schools.
Students explore the Richmond area’s natural environments, including Belle Isle, Pocahontas State Park, and Shalom Farms
The Explorers curriculum includes hands-on science SOL instruction, team building, and a focus on respect for one another and the environment
Beautifying Johnson Elementary School
On Monday, March 31st, a team of our West Richmond Rotary Club members rolled up their sleeves and volunteered at Johnson Elementary School, tackling an important beautification project for the school’s vegetable and flower gardens
The day began with the removal of weeds, overgrown vegetation, and accumulated debris that had taken over the garden areas Once the spaces were cleared, our volunteers worked together to spread a staggering 3,000 pounds of mulch, helping to protect and nourish the soil while enhancing the overall appearance of the gardens. These revitalized gardens will not only create a more inviting environment for students and staff but will also provide a valuable outdoor learning space where children can connect with nature
Volunteers for the day were: James Beck, Tim Jester, John Stinson, Tochi Iwuji, Mary Linhart, Clark Coulbourn, Clayton Allen, Randy Wyckoff, Dave McGee
(Not pictured : John Coor and Pam Bozkurt)
by
Bob Thompson, a member of the Rotary Club of North Suffolk and volunteer in the Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg, captivated the RC of James City County when he spoke about the Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg, a 501(c)3 organization
A major outreach in our community, Co-Op volunteers refurbish donated bikes to be reliable and safe transportation All the bikes for sale at the Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg are bargain bikes -- because they sell for a fraction of what they cost new. What an impactful service Stop by to check out what's available; 601 Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg.
Rotarians from the James City County Club helped out at Literacy for Life's Fundraiser, Phil Hanley Comedy Show.
Community service is the name of our game
It was great to be back in The Kimball Theater, especially to raise money for such a worthy cause.
We salute LFL as our Corporate Member!
Pictured: Rotarians Leslie Pearce, Jennifer Metcalf, Melinda Show, Neva Lynde, and Brandyn Baty
and
and
A good time was had by all and the club raised money for scholarships and other Rotary projects
West Richmond Rotary is excited to announce that several Paul Harris Fellows were awarded at our weekly meeting on April 9! Congratulations to b who has been recognized as a Paul Harris +8, John Stinton, who received a Paul Harris +7, and Beth McClelland, who was honored with a Paul Harris Fellow +3.
On April 16, we proudly celebrated several of our members for their continued generosity and commitment to Rotary’s mission with the presentation of additional Paul Harris Fellowships. Dr. George Vetrovec – Paul Harris Fellow +8, Lewis Lawson – Paul Harris Fellow +6, Mike Jones – Paul Harris Fellow +3, and Dave McGee – Paul Harris Fellow +1
The Rotary Club of Richmond hosted a fun and exciting golf tournament on April 21, 2025 at the Richmond Country Club
Over 20 teams participated and lots of prizes were awarded including a wagon of booze! The Club raised close to $5000 toward the nonprofits the club supports like Richmond ReWork, Feedmore, Project Homes and the Tool Bank
Many thanks to all of our sponsors and participants!
On 26 April, James City County Rotary Club (Breakfast and Evening Groups) joined together to conduct the Spring CleanUp of JCC Veterans Park located on Longhill Road
The club has adopted this project for several years now, cleaning the park during the spring and fall.
Shown are Rotaract Hakan Dagli, Paul Miyamasu, Bob Hawkins, visiting Rotarian Scott Orr, Yvonne Bjorklund, Wayne Maye, Scott Robinson, Nancy Geddes, Ron Howard, Jerry Fields, Rotaract Kate Sipes, president Travis Rabb, Jon Weaver, Neva Lynde, Liz Weaver, Ashley Warfield, Park Coordinator Erik Lavender, Terri Nathan, Roger Saunders, project lead Gary Chenault, Robert and Susan Rees. Scott Orr is a visiting Rotarian from Columbia, MD
Music for a Cause – A Sold-Out Success!
On Friday, April 4th, we hosted one of our most exciting events yet at Hardywood Richmond and what a night it was! Music for a Cause was a standing-room-only, high-energy evening filled with great music, great people, and an even greater purpose: supporting the West Richmond Rotary Club Foundation
The BIGGEST thanks goes to our phenomenal performers Ford’s Cellar and Dead Letter Officers who absolutely brought the house down! Their talent and energy kept the crowd buzzing all night long These two Richmond-based bands proved once again why they’re among the best in the city Thanks to the incredible turnout and generous support, the event was a sold-out success, helping us raise vital funds to support the projects and mission of our foundation.
Clean the Bay Day Saturday, June 7,2025
Spend a few hours 9am -12pm
The Chesapeake Bay is the Largest Estuary in the United States
The Chesapeake Bay watershed is dangerously out of balance This is the place where 18 million people, including us in D7600 live, work, and play. Its ecosystem impacts our quality of life in every aspect Every action we take affects the Bay
Your District Service Committee invites you to join hands with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), June 7, 2025, for a three-hour annual clean-up event It has proven to have a massive cumulative positive impact on Bay conditions and marine life over the past 35 years and the removal of 7.3 million pounds of debris from the watersheds.
This year, in keeping with Rotary's Seventh Area of Focus "Protecting the Environment", we encourage you to participate in this event in your neighborhoods. Please open the link below for event details: WWW CBF ORG/CLEAN
Registration deadlines vary depending on areas. Open in April Register early!
Since our D7600 covers a large area, it is more practical for our club members to choose a location nearby, check QR code. Our role as Rotarians is supportive of the CBF cleanup Day. So, please reserve some time on Saturday, June 7, and participate in this event. This is an excellent chance to educate members and others on the effect we have on the Chesapeake Bay Environmental aspects can have both positive and negative impacts.
Club Presidents, please keep records of participating members from your clubs and make sure your members' volunteer time is entered in the Engagement Module for this event. This is our second year of involvement, and we hope we can build on this experience and improve it going forward Please email us or drop us a text message explaining your level of participation
For your convenience, our email is: adeeb hamzey@gmail com 804-678-8259 (mobile) or jhenicheck2@gmail com 570-574-1481 (mobile)
We hope public Image Committees make the best use of this project. We look forward to a great Rotarian participation on June 7, 2025, and to impressive media coverage.
YIRS,
Adeeb Hamzey
District 7600 Community Service Chair
Janice G. Henicheck, Community Service
The Rotary Club of Mechanicsville is holding its 3rd Annual Hanover Night at the Diamond
We invite all to come out for a fun night of baseball, fireworks, and honoring Hanover's Finest! We are still looking for large sponsorships, but, new this year, is the chance to send a group of youth to the game
Rotary Clubs Celebrate Grand Opening of Early Learning Trail at Community Day Event
What started as a vision to support early childhood development through outdoor learning has now become a reality. The Early Learning Trail, a collaborative effort led by the Rotary Clubs of Innsbrook and Western Henrico, officially opened its gates with a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 27, welcoming children, community leaders, and partners to celebrate its impact
The Early Learning Trail, located near Short Pump Elementary School, is designed to stimulate young minds through interactive, playful learning stations that focus on literacy, numeracy, and physical movement. This initiative, supported by the Rotary Foundation, United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, and local schools, exemplifies the power of community partnerships in creating meaningful educational opportunities
The event began at 8:15 a m with opening remarks from William Sutton of the Rotary Club of Innsbrook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Dinesh Nayak of the Rotary Club of Western Henrico. Raghavan Sadagopan, President of the Rotary Club of Innsbrook, highlighted how the project aligns with Rotary’s focus on youth development and community impact. Mark Deutsch from the Rotary Club of Western Henrico offered insight into how the idea for the Learning Trail came together through months of planning and collaboration
Special guests Misty D Roundtree from the Henrico County Board of Supervisors and Barbara Couto Sipe, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, also shared remarks, applauding the project for fostering early learning in a creative and engaging way.
The highlight of the morning came at 9:05 a.m. when the first group of enthusiastic students from Short Pump Elementary School arrived The ribbon was officially cut, and children began exploring the trail with guidance from Rotary volunteers Laughter and excitement filled the air as students hopped, counted, traced letters, and explored colors and shapes all part of the trail's educational design Special thanks go to Tiffany Beisselt of United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, who coordinated the volunteers and orchestrated the day's student-led activities with remarkable energy and attention to detail Her leadership ensured that every child had a joyful and engaging experience on the trail
Deep gratitude is also extended to William Sutton, whose dedication and tireless efforts were instrumental in bringing the Early Learning Trail to life. His leadership was the backbone of this successful community initiative.
Throughout the morning, additional groups from Short Pump Elementary and LeafSpring School joined the fun Children also enjoyed chalk play, visited community booths, and had a thrilling opportunity to explore a fire truck, thanks to the Henrico Fire Department The firefighters’ presence added an exciting and educational dimension to the day, giving kids a hands-on chance to learn about fire safety and emergency services.
“This trail is a gift to our youngest learners,” said one Rotary volunteer. “We’re not just promoting education we’re building joy into learning and showing kids that their community cares ”
The Early Learning Trail stands as a testament to what can be achieved when service organizations, schools, and community leaders come together for a shared purpose As it becomes a daily part of children's routines, its impact will continue to grow one hop, skip, and smile at a time. A short video of the event can be found
District 7600 Period Pover
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