Clayton Rotary Weekly Newsletter: Week of July 16, 2026

Rotary Club of Clayton Weekly Newsletter
Week of Thursday, July 16th, 2026
President’s Message
Our first meeting of the new Rotary Year was a tremendous success with over 95 in participation, including 25 non-Rotarian community partners who champion the battle of addiction and recovery in Rabun County. Only through harnessing connections that strengthen our community and working in close collaboration will we steer the S.S. Lasting Impact vessel to create positive, lasting change. Bruce Deel, the founder of City of Refuge, located in west side Atlanta, shared his life experiences of over 30 years building an organization that has changed countless lives by bringing Light, Hope, and Transformation to those in crisis. The program encompasses recovery, court advocacy, health & wellness, housing, job training and youth development on a journey to self-sufficiency. He also challenged us with the difficult reality of sex trafficking and reminded us that silence only allows it to continue. He recently founded: We Are MOST (Men Opposing Sex Trafficking), an organization of men who are encouraged to take a stand, raise awareness, and be part of the solution. His message was powerful, challenging, and one we won’t soon forget. Bruce is truly the ‘Real’ Deel, combining inspiration and call to action — It truly was an amazing program!

Website: City of Refuge
Want to learn more:
Documentary — City of Refuge

This Week’s Meeting
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Our meeting this Thursday, we welcome long-term Rotarian Alton Story as he shares the history of the Rabun Gap Industrial Park. With more than 33 years in the textile industry and firsthand knowledge of the businesses that shaped our community, Alton offers a unique perspective on an important chapter of Rabun County’s history.

July 16^th, 2026
11:30 AM – Luncheon Club Meeting
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Rotary Community Room
Menu: Red Beans & Rice, Smoked Sausage, Chicken and Shrimp, Salad, and Dessert

Next Week’s Program

Next week we will welcome Place of Hope North Georgia which is a faith-based, non-profit organization providing resources for children who need familial, spiritual, and financial support because of abuse, neglect, or homelessness. Their primary focus is on children and parents in the Foster Care system of North Georgia.
July 23^rd, 2026
   11:30 AM – Luncheon Club Meeting
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Rotary Community Room
Impact Club Update
SUMMER SCHEDULE: Only one meeting in July.
Tuesday, July 28^th, 2026
     6:00-7:30 PM
   Alternative Location – Hosted by Sonya & Kyle Shook’st their Lake House – due to limited parking space, only Impact Club Member Spouses/Others were invited to attend.

Service Above Self

Food Distribution
Saturday July 18^th
6:45-9AM
Beck’s Funeral / Med Link Parking Lot 898 Hwy 441 South

Community Dental Clinic
Volunteers are needed for the Community Dental Clinic. Contact Marcia Ranney 678-234-0295
Dates: Wednesday, July 15^th and Thursday, July 16^TH
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Rabun County Health Department

Health Dept Vaccine/ Dental Screening: Deliver Donuts for Vaccine/ Dental screening
Thursday, July 30^th
8:30 – 9:30am

Rabun County Primary School
801, Boggs Mountain Rd, Tiger, GA 30576, USA

Other Important Dates

July 30^th –NO Thursday Lunch Meeting

Upcoming Social Dates

To register Click Here

Upcoming Rotary Learning

RLI – Clarksville D6910
Saturday August 01, 2026, 07:00 AM

Speaker:		Ed Davis
Topic:		Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Grad – Grad – Facilitation Techniques
Description:		North Georgia Technical College 1500 Hwy 197N Clarksville, GA 30523 To Register Log in to DACdb – A Member Minder Pro Company Sign into DACdb (above) Go to My District setting – RLI Link