Rotary Club of Clayton Weekly Newsletter

Week of Thursday, June 25, 2026

President’s Message

The end of our Rotary Year is coming soon! As we look back, we can be proud of how we united for good and all the things that we accomplished. As we look forward, we are in great shape to continue creating a lasting impact in Rabun County and beyond.

Here are some of the things we accomplished this year:

Created the Impact Club of Clayton, which now has 18 members
Grew from 85 members to 110 members, leading District 6910 in membership growth
Conducted our first-ever “Sound the Alarm” Smoke Detector Distribution
Hosted our first-ever Mental Health First Aid Seminar
Awarded $10,000 in scholarships to 10 Rabun County students
The Clayton Rotary Foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $100,400
Raised over $140,000 at our “Roaring ’20s” Fundraiser
Participated in the international grant project “Guatemala Thrive,” which raised over $250,000 for economic development in the highlands of Guatemala
Received the Governor’s Citation Award for meeting and exceeding goals in Leadership, Membership, Foundation Giving, Service Projects, and Public Image
Received the EPIC Award – Platinum Level for excellence in Public Image
Received the R.L. Panyik Award for excellence in club leadership
Adopted new By-Laws
Created and implemented a new Policies and Procedures Manual
Created a new website: www.claytonrotary.com
Implemented a new Membership Application Process
Implemented a new Red Badge to Blue Badge Process
Implemented a new Service Project Proposal Process
Implemented a new Speaker Recommendation Process
Implemented a new Board Meeting Minutes Process
HAD FUN!

Recap from Last Week’s Meeting

Mayor Roy Quilliams from the City of Clayton joined us to provide an update on what’s happening in our community and discuss ways we can all help make a difference.

See our Facebook Reel:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1H2stjsMLM/

This Week’s Meeting

NO MEETING THIS WEEK — END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATION INSTEAD!!

Come dressed in your finest Red, White, and Blue as we finish out this Rotary Year!

This star-spangled celebration will feature an All-American Buffet, music by Sweet Charity, and a cash bar. We will celebrate all that we have accomplished, thank our outgoing board members, and swear in our new board. Then we’ll dance the night away!

PLEASE NOTE:

The regular entrance to the Dillard House is closed.

If you are driving north on US-441, turn right onto Kelly’s Creek Road and then left onto Franklin Street.
If you are driving south, turn left onto Franklin Street in downtown Dillard.

What’s on the Menu?

Fried Chicken
Smoked BBQ Pork with BBQ Sauce
Cole Slaw
Calico Salad
Twice-Baked Potatoes
Corn on the Cob
Mac and Cheese
Yeast Rolls and Cornbread with Honey Butter
Caramel Banana Pudding

Beverages

Sweet Tea
Unsweet Tea
Water
Cash Bar

Thursday, June 25, 2026

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
The Dillard House Banquet Hall
768 Franklin Street, Dillard, GA 30537

Next Week’s Program

Bruce Deel — “The Power of Yes”

Our next regular meeting will be Thursday, July 9, when we welcome Bruce Deel, Founder and CEO of City of Refuge.

Founded in 1997, City of Refuge serves individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, incarceration, domestic violence, and sex trafficking by providing housing, education, healthcare, vocational training, and support services. What began as a small ministry has grown into one of the most impactful nonprofit organizations in the Southeast.

Bruce is the author of Trust First, a TEDx speaker, and was named Lee University Alumnus of the Year for 2024. He is also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for participating in the longest consecutive softball game ever played—121 hours—to raise awareness and funding for anti-sex trafficking efforts.

Bruce and his wife, Rhonda, have been married for 37 years. They are the parents of five daughters and grandparents to thirteen grandchildren.

Thursday, July 9, 2026

11:30 AM
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
Rotary Community Room

Impact Club Update

No Meeting — Service Project Instead!

The Impact Club will be leading a community trash pickup followed by Mexican food and fellowship afterward.

For details, contact Jon Tuck at 678-617-5150.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

7:00 PM
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia

Service Above Self

Food Distribution

We set a record this past Saturday by distributing 170 loads of food which served 643 people. A dozen Rotarians joined with 40 other people from the community to distribute food this past Saturday.at the old MedLink facility next to Beck’s Funeral Home. The change in venue is due to construction in the parking lot at Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church. The food distribution will take place at Beck’s next month as well. Come join us and have a great time while serving your neighbors!

See our Facebook Reel: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1HbRfXEqqG/

Community Dental Clinic

Volunteers are needed for the Community Dental Clinic.

Dates:

Thursday, June 25
Friday, June 26

Time:

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location:

Rabun County Health Department

Stars Over Clayton

The City of Clayton and CMBA are hosting a 250th Anniversary Celebration.

The Impact Club is seeking volunteers to help cook and serve hot dogs and hamburgers.

All proceeds will benefit CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) and support Alzheimer’s research.

Organizer: Amy Hulett

Volunteer Shifts

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

July 1, 2026

Clayton City Hall

Announcement!

Welcome, Lucia Russell!

We are delighted to celebrate one of our own, McCallister C. Russell, on the arrival of her beautiful daughter, Lucia!

A precious new baby brings a world of joy, love, and endless possibilities, and we couldn’t be happier for McCallister and her family as they begin this wonderful new chapter together.

Please join us in congratulating the Russell family and welcoming sweet Lucia to the world. May your days be filled with laughter, treasured memories, and countless blessings.

Congratulations, McCallister, and welcome, Lucia! We are so excited for your growing family and the beautiful journey ahead.

If you would like to contribute to McCallister’s diaper fund through Meal Train, simply click HERE

See our Facebook Reel: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AxiQitZVp/

Important Dates

June 25 — End-of-Year Celebration
June 25 — Dental Clinic
June 26 — Dental Clinic
July 1 — Stars Over Clayton
July 9 — Bruce Deel, “The Power of Yes”

Food Bank Donations

Most Needed Items

Plastic Grocery Bags
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Cereal
Soups
Crackers
Rice
Chili & Beans
Pasta
Pasta Sauce
Beef Stew
Canned Meats
Fruits
Vegetables