Our 2023- 2024 Rotary Theme :

 

 

 

 

RI President-elect R. Gordon R. McInally calls for Rotary to create hope in the world by working for peace and mental wellbeing. He urges members to engage in tough conversations and earn the trust that’s necessary to realize these values.

Our 2022 -2023 Rotary Theme :

 

            

Rotary's fiscal year starts the 1st of July each year.  And for the start of the 2020/21 year, our Club was not immune to the challenges faced with the pandemic.  It affected how we conduct our meetings, service projects, fundraising and especially our membership.  But in the first 6 months of 2020, we were blessed with welcoming 4 new members into the Rotary Club of Ocean Springs; Heather Wagner (Sept 2020), Jillian Davis & Val Marcy (Nov 2020), and Ketina Reichbaum (Feb 2021).  They each bring their unique talents to the Club and have already been active in service projects benefiting our local community.  We have a lot of wonderful people that make up the Rotary Club of Ocean Springs and we are so happy that Heather, Jillian, Val and Ketina are now part of the Rotary Family!  

 

 

On Friday, 8/28/2020, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Ocean Springs assisted the Backpack Buddies of Ocean Springs with packing food bags.  Just under 100 bags were packed and sorted for weekend delivery to local children.  The Program provides weekend meals to help meet the needs of hungry children when other resources are not available.  The Club is happy to support such a great program that directly benefits residents in our community.   

 

The program's funding comes via donations from various local organizations and individuals.  If you are interested in helping out, click https://givingflow.rebelgive.com/4b4e8b89ed683783036e to make an online donation directly to the Program.  All proceeds are used to purchase food items for the bags each week.  And the more available funding, the more children can be added to the program.  

 

If you have questions regarding the program or how you can help, contact Stephen Songe, Club President, (228) 233-3170 or ssonge@songeagency.com.

 

 

Pictured from left: Rotarians Stephen Songe, Georgia Storey & Tee McCovey

 

The Club's annual Pancake Day, originally held in April but postponed to July 29th, has been cancelled. With the uncertainties of COVID-19, and for the safety of those in our community and club membership, we felt it best to cancel this years event. This event is a fundraiser for our Scholarship Program and other service projects supporting the local community. We understand cancelling this event will impact these programs later this year, but your safety is more important. We appreciate those who support Rotary and our local service projects by making online donations via the "donate" button above. And we look forward to seeing you in April 2021 for a day of fun and PANCAKES!!

 

The Rotary Club of Ocean Springs would like to welcome our newest Member, Daryl Holley, President FPC of Ocean Springs. Daryl was inducted into the Club at our March 4th meeting. Welcome Daryl!!

Pictured; Membership Chair, Nikki Johns (left), Daryl Holley (center), and Sheila Bennett, Member/Sponsor (right).

Please say Hello to the newest Member of the Ocean Springs Rotary Club; Georgia Storey, Director, Government & Community Relations with the Singing River Health System.  She was inducted into the Club at our January 22nd meeting.  Welcome Georgia!! 

 

 

Pictured; Georgia Storey (left) and Membership Chair, Nikki Johns (right). 

At our October 16, 2019 meeting, the Club recognized our 2019 RYLA Students (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).  Participants are chosen from among local high school students for their leadership potential.  This year's 27th Annual Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program was held on Sunday, July 14, 2019 thru Friday, July 19, 2019, at the Solomon Retreat Center in Loranger, LA.   The RYLA camp is held each July for about 80 high school juniors sponsored by various Clubs within the District.  Sponsorship cost is $550 per student and our Club sponsored 7 local Juniors for this year's event.   During the camp, students discussed leadership skills and learned those skills through practice.  The event curriculum is organized through Rotary District 6840 and Counselors serve as current leaders within the District.  And those students who show exceptional leadership skills are invited back to participate as counselors/staff for the next event.  The students we sponsor were invited to our October 16th Club meeting to share their experience at the camp.  It is always a great feeling to see how RYLA makes an impact in these future leaders, and hear how the experience benefits them their entire life.  Congratulations to our 2019 RYLA Students!!  

 

 

Pictured from left to right:  Terrance Morgan, Alexander Whyte, Isabella Furr, Allanis Vallecillo, and Club President David Hoffman.  Not pictured: Hannah Smith, Joseph Taylor, and Erin Kirkpatrick

 

 

A huge THANK YOU to those individuals and businesses who sponsored our 2019 Rotary 5-K R.A.C.E.  100% of the money raised, just over $20,000, goes towards programs that support our local community.  Programs like the Club's Scholarship Program, providing scholarships to graduating seniors from Ocean Springs and St Martin High Schools, and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Program where the Club Sponsored 9 local students to attend this years program.  Providing opportunities for our future community and business leaders is a big focus in our Club.  And we cannot express enough our appreciation of your support for these projects.  So.....THANK YOU!!