Weekly Newsletter
Week of Thursday, June 4, 2026
President’s Message
As we move into June, it is finally starting to feel like summer. Longer days, family vacations, cookouts, and time spent with friends are some of the things we look forward to this time of year. While these moments are important and should be cherished, it is also important to remember that there are still people in our community who need a helping hand.
Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, reminds us that even during our busiest seasons, we can make a difference in the lives of others. As you read this week’s newsletter, you’ll find several opportunities to get involved, serve your community, and help us continue making a lasting impact here in Rabun County.
Recap from Last Week’s Meeting
Last week we heard from Patti Duckworth, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Northeast Georgia Chapter. She relayed to us the importance of fire safety, having functional smoke detectors, and an emergency action plan that is shared with the whole household. We learned that every day, seven people die in home fires, most often in homes without working smoke detectors.
Patti also gave us a fascinating look at what the Red Cross does to help ensure that there is an adequate blood supply and how important it is for each of us to give blood on a regular basis. We also learned about how the Red Cross responds to disasters.
If you would like to learn more about disaster response and the importance of donating blood, I would encourage you to view these two videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Patti stayed in our community through Saturday to prepare for the SOUND THE ALARM! Smoke Detector Distribution Day, which you will read about below.
Thank you, Patti, for coming to Rabun County and spending time with us!
We also sang a Rotary Club of Clayton HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Alton Story, who celebrated his 88th birthday on Thursday!
See our Facebook Reel: https://www.facebook.
This Week’s Meeting
This week we will be giving out our club awards! Below are the awards to be presented:
The Wheel Award
Given annually to individuals or groups in the community who have demonstrated the spirit of Rotary’s Service Above Self through their service to the welfare of the community. Their efforts can be in community organizations such as churches, family services, medical facilities, and educational institutions. (Non-Rotarian)
J.C. Dover Wheel Award
The top Wheel Award, named in honor of Dr. J.C. Dover, who was a member of the Rotary Club of Clayton and, in addition to practicing medicine in Rabun County for over 66 years, was an active church, civic, and community affairs leader. This award was adopted as part of Clayton Rotary’s award program as a tribute to Dr. Dover for his years of unselfish service to the citizens of Rabun County. (Non-Rotarian)
Jean Harris Professional Award
Honors the accomplishments and achievements of a woman in the community who works to improve the quality of life for others. (Non-Rotarian)
Gold ‘R’ Award
Conferred upon the Rotarian who is judged to be the most contributing citizen toward the improvement of community standards, facilities, and educational institutions. The recipient shall have a high attendance record at club meetings, serve as a leader in club functions and projects, and be a living example of the principles embodied in the Four-Way Test. (Rotarian)
Additional Awards
- Law Enforcement Officer of the Year (Sheriff’s Office)
- Police Officer of the Year
- Firefighter of the Year
- EMT of the Year
- Paramedic of the Year
What’s on the Menu?
This week’s lunch menu includes:
- Hamburger Steak
- Mashed Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Salad
- Dessert
Thursday, June 4, 2026
11:30 AM
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Rotary Community Room
Next Week’s Program
We will hear from our own Eric Vogelbacher about his worldwide travels, which included a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro!
Thursday, June 11, 2026
11:30 AM
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Rotary Community Room
Impact Club Update
The next meeting is June 9, 2026. The Impact Club will be leading a trash pickup after the meeting. Contact Jon Tuck at 678-617-5150 for details.
Tuesday, June 9
6:00 PM
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
Service Above Self
Camp Evergreen
The Clayton Rotary Foundation (CRF) presented a check for $3,800 to Camp Evergreen and the Rabun County Board of Education to pay for eight local children to attend camp this summer. This allows these children the opportunity to go to camp when they otherwise would not have been able to do so.
American Legion Post 220
The CRF also presented a $2,600 check to American Legion Post 220 to help support its food distribution program. This Legion Post provides food on a weekly basis, including a hot meal. For many recipients, this is the only hot meal they receive that week.
Save Georgia’s Hemlocks
The CRF also presented a $2,500 check to Save Georgia’s Hemlocks. This funding helps pay for treatments that protect our majestic hemlock trees from the woolly adelgid.
The CRF could not have made these donations without the money raised through our fundraisers.
Shredding Event
Friday was our big Shredding Event. We had people lining up to drop off their documents to be shredded when we started at 11:00. Many people said that this was a great service Rotary provided to the community and left donations that covered the cost of hiring the shredding service.
Thank you to Scott Thompson for organizing this event, and thank you to the 10 Rotarians who were there to help set up, take down, and unload documents from people’s cars.
https://www.facebook.com/
RYLA Dinner Service
We served meals on Friday night to close to 200 young adults attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program. These youth came from all over our district to learn about Rotary, make new friends, and be challenged.
Thank you to our team of Rotarians who went to Tallulah Falls School to serve. Thanks also to Big Bob Watt for the loan of his golf cart for the camp nurse and to Lee Penland for the use of his trailer.
SOUND THE ALARM! Smoke Detector Distribution Day
SOUND THE ALARM! Smoke Detector Distribution Day was a huge success!
We had 26 Rotarians and Friends of Rotary turn out to distribute smoke detectors. Some 200 homes were canvassed, with 15 homes receiving smoke detector installations. In total, 57 detectors were installed, helping to protect 33 lives.
Many people said that this was the most meaningful service project we have done this year.
Not only were detectors installed, but each family was also assisted in creating an emergency plan that lets every person know what to do in the event of a fire.
This all came about through the efforts of Elizabeth Gill, who tragically lost her daughter, Rachel, in a fire at an apartment complex that did not have smoke detectors. Elizabeth has made it her mission to ensure that no one loses a loved one because of a lack of working smoke detectors.
Thank you to Elizabeth Gill, the American Red Cross, and Rabun County Fire Services for organizing this important service project.
See our Facebook Reel: https://www.facebook.
Camp Tanglewood / Augusta • June 4–6
There are moments when service stops being an idea and becomes something you can see, touch, and build with your own hands. This spring, Rotary District 6910’s Disaster Relief Committee is offering an opportunity to do exactly that, and we invite you to be a part of it.
This opportunity takes place June 4–6 at Girl Scout Camp Tanglewood near Augusta, Georgia. We will begin on June 4 with a $50,000 check presentation supporting hurricane recovery efforts, followed by hands-on service work.
Volunteers will assist with carpentry, planting, debris removal, and preparing new cabins. No experience is required—just a willingness to serve.
This will be a collaborative effort with volunteers from Rotary Districts 6900 and 6920. Housing is available for Rotarians who would like to be matched with a host family in Augusta during the project.
Sign up for the Augusta project here: https://www.
This project represents Rotary at its best—showing up, stepping in, and making a lasting impact in communities that need us.
With appreciation,
The District Disaster Relief Committee
End-of-Year Celebration!
We will hold our End-of-Year Celebration at the newly renovated Dillard House on Thursday, June 25, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
We will install our new officers and celebrate all that we have accomplished this year while enjoying a great meal. We will also look ahead to what we have in store for the new Rotary year beginning July 1.
If you would like to help plan this fun event, please contact Susie Howard at (404) 310-0469.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Thursday, June 25 • 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
The Dillard House
Important Dates
- June 4 — First Thursday at Currahee Brewery, FAITH Night, 5:30 PM–9:00 PM
- June 6 — Ramshackle
- June 9 — Trash Pickup
- June 13 — Stekoa Creek Cleanup
- June 20 — Food Distribution
- June 25 — End-of-Year Celebration
Food Bank Donations
Most Needed Items
- Plastic grocery bags
- Peanut butter & jelly
- Cereal
- Soups
- Crackers
- Rice
- Chili & beans
- Pasta
- Sauce
- Beef stew
- Canned meats
- Fruits & vegetables
Cash donations welcome
Checks payable to: Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
Memo: Rabun County
