Aves of service

The Avenues of Service

Each year Merrillville Rotary raises funds for community projects and awards and encouragement to local students. These funds come from a variety of sources, some a gifts from the members, good natured fines during the meetings, and two or more yearly fund raising social events. One of the more unique projects is called The Unknown Friends Fund. Supported by weekly donations of pocket change to the Penny Pot, a carpet lined pot; the proceeds are then supplied to guidance counselors at Merrillville and Andrean High Schools. They are then used at the counselor’s discretion to fund a student need that can not be paid for by any other means. Christmas baskets, Salvation Army support through bell ringing, community support through Adopt a Highway and Rotarian labor to repair and refurbish area homes; all are examples of Merrillville Rotary Service.

Several Years ago, Rotary International assumed the gigantic task of eradicating polio from the World. Each year Merrillville Rotary has donated over 3,000 dollars to support this project. International in scope, but a bit closer to home is our continuing support of Hearts in Motion a non-profit organization which administers to the needs of poverty stricken children of Central America. Last year largely due to the generosity of one of our members we were able to fund the building of a small school for the children of a village.

As is indicated in some of the programs above, Merrillville Rotary takes a very active part in providing youth orientated projects. Ranging from the sponsorship of both outgoing and incoming exchange students as a part of Rotary Internationals exchange program, to the conduct of local and district speech contests, to college assistance awards for meritorious high school seniors, to Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA); all of which support and foster the leadership potential of local students. In addition to our support of the youth of the area, our annual Thanksgiving raffle provides funds for the less fortunate at Christmas.

Rotarians as community leaders in business and the professions are in ideal positions to influence the business climate. Using the Rotary Four Way Test as a guide in providing vocational service, they can provide mentoring to younger and newer members of the business community as well as setting the example for their peers

	Each year Merrillville Rotary raises funds for community projects and awards and encouragement to local students. These funds come from a variety of sources, some a gifts from the members, good natured fines during the meetings, and two or more yearly fund raising social events. One of the more unique projects is called The Unknown Friends Fund. Supported by weekly donations of pocket change to the Penny Pot, a carpet lined pot; the proceeds are then supplied to guidance counselors at Merrillville and Andrean High Schools. They are then used at the counselor’s discretion to fund a student need that can not be paid for by any other means. Christmas baskets, Salvation Army support through bell ringing, community support through Adopt a Highway and Rotarian labor to repair and refurbish area homes; all are examples of Merrillville Rotary Service.
	Several Years ago, Rotary International assumed the gigantic task of eradicating polio from the World. Each year Merrillville Rotary has donated over 3,000 dollars to support this project. International in scope, but a bit closer to home is our continuing support of Hearts in Motion a non-profit organization which administers to the needs of poverty stricken children of Central America. Last year largely due to the generosity of one of our members we were able to fund the building of a small school for the children of a village.
	As is indicated in some of the programs above, Merrillville Rotary takes a very active part in providing youth orientated projects. Ranging from the sponsorship of both outgoing and incoming exchange students as a part of Rotary Internationals exchange program, to the conduct of local and district speech contests, to college assistance awards for meritorious high school seniors, to Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA); all of which support and foster the leadership potential of local students. In addition to our support of the youth of the area, our annual Thanksgiving raffle provides funds for the less fortunate at Christmas.
	Rotarians as community leaders in business and the professions are in ideal positions to influence the business climate. Using the Rotary Four Way Test as a guide in providing vocational service, they can provide mentoring to younger and newer members of the business community as well as setting the example for their peers