News

Rotary mobilizes in earthquake zone

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:00:19 GMT

Club members help Turkish people rise from the ruins.

In early 2023, Turkey experienced its most powerful earthquake in over eight decades -- a massive 7.8 magnitude tremor that struck near Kahramanmaraş in the south-central region. It was close to the Syrian border, roughly 75 miles from Adıyaman .

As reports of widespread destruction poured in, Rotary clubs across the nation mobilized almost immediately. Within a day, members from nearby districts came together to create an organized relief strategy.

They swiftly opened assistance hubs in six of the hardest-hit cities. Each center was directed by local Rotary members who gathered information about what communities needed most and communicated those needs to volunteers and donors. Through the efforts of clubs across three districts, more than 200 truckloads of emergency goods were delivered -- everything from food, water, fuel and heaters to diapers, sanitary supplies and toys.

The disaster struck during bitter winter weather. Temperatures near the epicenter hovered around 37°F that day and fell well below freezing afterward. Rain soon turned to snow, and survivors faced brutal cold and hypothermia risks. Thanks to preparations already in place, District 2440 was able to deploy a stockpile of tents and establish a temporary settlement in İskenderun, along the Mediterranean coast. Rotary members managed the tent city for over a month before the nation’s disaster authority assumed control.

The rapid response demonstrated once again Rotary’s deep dedication to its guiding principle of “service above self.”

Empowering change through Rotary Foundation grants

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:25:15 GMT

Helping to bring beneficial projects to life

Rotary members around the world contribute their time, skills and resources to tackle some of the toughest challenges facing our communities. Whether it’s providing clean water, improving health, or promoting peace, Rotary Foundation grants help turn service ideas into life-changing action.

If you’re a Rotary member with a vision for creating positive change, there could a grant to help you make it happen. Here’s how you can bring your project to life through Rotary’s diverse grant opportunities:

District Grants : Support small-scale, short-term projects that meet local community needs — both at home and abroad.
Global Grants : Fund large-scale international initiatives with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary’s key focus areas.
Disaster Response Grants : Provide swift assistance for relief and recovery efforts after natural disasters strike.
Programs of Scale Grants : Expand proven programs in partnership with others to multiply impact and foster lasting change worldwide.

To apply, you must be a member of a Rotary club. Together, we can transform ideas into action and create a world where hope and opportunity thrive.

Read more about Rotary Foundation here .

Did you know: global outreach

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:45:58 GMT

Rotary's ongoing efforts make the world a better place in 2025

Rotary projects around the world in 2025 continue to show how local action can create global impact, with recent initiatives highlighting literacy, health, disease prevention and emotional wellness.

Celebrating culture through literacy

In the United States, acclaimed chef Vikas Khanna partnered with the newly chartered Rotary Club of South West Florida (District 6960) to create and distribute a children’s book, Festivals at the Bungalow . The club raised $20,000 from Rotarians in the U.S. and India, along with individual and business supporters, to print 2,000 copies for Rotary-led literacy initiatives at no cost to recipients. The book uses stories and recipes to take children on a journey across India, helping spark curiosity and foster cultural appreciation.

Getting communities moving in St. Vincent

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Rotary Club of St. Vincent organized a family-friendly “glow run” through Kingstown in partnership with a local fitness center. Around 500 participants carrying illuminated sticks filled the streets along a scenic route from the cruise ship terminal, supported by sponsoring businesses and medical facilities. The event advanced District 7030’s focus on healthy lifestyles, complemented by a virtual family workout and a nutrition webinar to encourage Vincentians to stay active.

Gala for peace and polio in South Africa

In Cape Town, a casual 2016 dinner among friends has evolved into an annual gala dedicated to raising funds to help end polio . At the 2024 edition, about 100 guests walked a red carpet, enjoyed a glamorous evening, and helped support Rotary’s polio eradication efforts as well as a Rotaractor trip to Uganda for a vaccination campaign. Branded “Africa Unite: A Gala for Peace and Polio,” the 2025 celebration aims to deepen young people’s passion for polio awareness.

Putting happiness on the agenda in Mauritius

The Rotary Club of Helvetia Happiness in Mauritius has made emotional wellness central to its mission from day one. Led previously by Syam V.D. Mudhoo, the club created a unique “director of happiness” role to champion initiatives such as mindfulness moments, spontaneous laughter yoga, and relaxed “FriYAY” socials with games and icebreakers. Members see nurturing their own good spirits as essential to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve.

Did you know?: Rotary Foundation

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:30:28 GMT

Foundation donors power record-setting year

Donors to The Rotary Foundation have a lot to celebrate this year. Their generosity powered major achievements in fundraising and helped expand the organization’s global impact.

Rotary’s multiyear campaign to grow the Endowment to $2.025 billion by 2025 reached (and surpassed) its target, exceeding the goal by $25 million. In the 2024–25 year alone, members and supporters contributed more than $569 million, topping the annual goal by nearly $70 million.

The incredible response came from more than 478,000 individuals, 31,000 Rotary clubs and nearly 1,900 Rotaract clubs worldwide.

Those contributions fueled meaningful action. The Foundation awarded 1,424 global grants, 468 district grants and 74 disaster response grants over the past year. A new $2 million Programs of Scale grant will foster peace and strengthen economic independence in Colombia. Additionally, Rotary International renewed its long-standing partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, announcing a joint commitment of up to $450 million over three years to continue the fight to eradicate polio around the world.

The numbers tell a powerful story, one of shared purpose, sustained generosity and a commitment to making a difference.

Did you know?: Friendship Exchanges

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:54:51 GMT

Discover the world through Rotary's Friendship Exchange

Rotary’s Friendship Exchange program opens doors to unforgettable cultural and personal connections across the globe. Through this international program, Rotary members and friends can take turns hosting one another in their homes or clubs. They travel as individuals, couples, families or groups.

Each exchange is built around one or more themes: culture, service or vocation. The participants are invited to learn about new communities while sharing their own. Travelers gain firsthand insight into regional customs while forming friendships that foster international goodwill.

Whether in person or virtual, every exchange helps broaden global understanding and create pathways for future collaboration.

All exchanges are self-funded by participants or districts, keeping the focus on hospitality and shared experience rather than cost. Ready to begin your adventure? Explore the Exchange Finder Map to discover current opportunities and connect with district Friendship Exchange chairs for guidance.

Did you know?: Peace Fellowships

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:50:03 GMT

Peace professionals become effective catalysts for change

The Rotary Peace Centers program helps people who are passionate about peace and development to grow into effective leaders. Through academic training, hands-on practice, and connections with a global network, fellows gain the skills they need to make a real impact. The fellowship covers tuition and fees, housing and meals, round-trip travel, plus expenses for internships and field studies. That funding enables participants to focus fully on their work.

Since launching in 2002, the program has supported more than 1,800 fellows from over 140 countries. Today, you’ll find them serving as leaders in governments, NGOs, schools, research centers, peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies, as well as international organizations (e.g., the United Nations and the World Bank ).

Each year, The Rotary Foundation offers up to 50 fellowships for master’s programs and up to 80 for certificate studies at top universities. The fellowship is designed for leaders who already have professional development experience and are dedicated to furthering peace.

Member profile: Ellen (Ellie) Barnicle Kiesling

info@zcorppr.com (ZCorp PRDigital) — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 17:39:49 GMT

Rotarian sails the lagoon, once bagged an ample alligator

Why you joined Rotary: I joined to serve the youth of Rockledge, especially helping students become Rotary International Exchange students. I also want to serve the community through relationships with fellow members that bring their experience and wisdom to their passions.

Where you’re from, originally: I’m from the small town of Hollidaysburg in Central Pennsylvania.

Other places you’ve lived and worked: I lived for a time in Dungog, NSW, Australia, as an exchange student. My degree is in marketing (with a minor in computer science) from Penn State. I worked for IBM in Washington, DC; Atlanta; Kingsport, TN; and Orlando. Also in Orlando, I was a director for Tupperware and the owner of Oasis (nursery and interior plant maintenance). In Rockledge, I worked in sales for Hershey’s.

Your major influences in life: My major influences are my mother and father, God, IBM personnel and all members of my blended family. That includes Scott, my husband of 20 years; Taylor (25 years old); Emily (30 years old) and Kate (32 years old).

An interesting anecdote from your history: I once won the alligator lottery, pulling a 10-foot gator into an eight-foot boat in the middle of the night after using a .45 caliber bang-stick. The cracked alligator meat was great!

Things you do outside of work, interests, hobbies: My interests include off-grid living, horticulture (fruit and nut orchard), sustainable ecology and soil food web. I’m also involved in efforts to save the Indian River Lagoon and enjoy sailing there.

Tell us a little about your philosophy of life: My priorities are God, husband, family, friends, business and everything else. I want to leave this world better than when I came into it.

Member profile: Mitchell S. Goldman

info@zcorppr.com (ZCorp PRDigital) — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 17:36:10 GMT

Rotarian is all about books, baseball and working smarter

Name: Mitchell S. Goldman

Occupation/company: I’m an attorney with Goldman, Monaghan, Thakkar & Bettin, P.A.

How do you approach that work? If you are going to do the job, do it right. Get it done, make it happen. Closings big and small, Mitch Goldman does them all.

When you joined Rotary: In the very beginning. I’m a charter member.

Why you joined Rotary: Someone I respected asked me to join, so I did. I figured it was a good way to meet people and learn more about the community.

Where you’re from, originally: Right here. I grew up in Melbourne Beach.

Other places you’ve lived and worked: I went to college and law school at Washington University in St. Louis from 1977 to 1984. Other than that, I have always lived in Brevard County.

Your major influences in life: I’ve had a number of influences, for example, my parents, who taught me the value of work and reading. My teachers and professors, who enlightened my vision and enabled me to achieve academic success. My wife, who makes me a better person.

A few interesting anecdotes from your history: Growing up In Melbourne Beach, I attended Gemini Elementary, Hoover Junior High School and Melbourne High School. I was the captain of our College Bowl quiz team and we were the national runner-up in 1980. Also, I just met, in person, my boyhood hero and favorite baseball player of all-time:Joe Torre.

Things you do outside of work: I like to exercise with my wife, read and watch sports – particularly baseball.

Tell us a little about your philosophy of life: There is always someone who is bigger, faster or more intelligent than you. The way to succeed is to work smarter and harder than your competition.

Member profile: Shawn Bassham

info@zcorppr.com (ZCorp PRDigital) — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 14:09:35 GMT

‘Service Above Self’ motto strikes chord with longtime Rotarian

Name: Shawn Bassham

Occupation/company: Chief Philanthropy Officer (Chief Fun Officer), St. Francis Reflections

A few things you like about that work: I take my passion and purpose in partnership with others to bring about a change in the world, to see the acts of love borne out through the mission of nonprofit. I see how collaboration and connections can solve community problems. It’s nice to go home every day knowing that I have been a part of the solution.

When you joined Rotary: In 2004, I joined Five Trails Rotary in Casper, WY. I then chartered a new early-morning club, Reveille Rotary, and was the charter president. Moving to Idaho, I joined the Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club and was involved in membership and greeter coordination. In Florida, I was initially a member of Cocoa Beach Club representing St. Francis. But I transitioned to Rockledge Rotary when St. Francis had no one associated and we had only two at Cocoa Beach. PLUS, when I came to Rockledge for a speaking engagement, they were just too much fun.

Why you joined Rotary: My board chair wanted me to join for my work in leadership at the hospital. I relished the “Service Above Self” motto as I believe that is my philosophy of life. Rotary continues to surprise me in the ways it gives and impacts the communities it serves.

Where you’re from, originally: I was born in Washington state and lived there until I was 16, returning to Washington for my college education.

Other places you’ve lived and worked: I’ve lived in Michigan, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and now Florida. I did my graduate work at Colorado State University and took leadership roles for regional medical centers in Wyoming and Idaho. Now, I enjoy the Space Coast and work for St. Francis Reflections.

Your major influences in life: The God of the universe who loves me and has a plan for my life. My father who loved everyone and valued what each persona brings to the world. My sister who left me too soon but was a gift to the world in every way.

A few interesting anecdotes from your history:

Here are some things people can ask me about:

I lived on the streets of Seattle for a week.
My wedding and dress cost $500.
I played fifth-grade boys' basketball and live for a moment in the men’s dorm.
I was drafted during my 18 ^th year.

Things you do outside of work, interests, hobbies: I enjoy traveling, reading, snorkeling, walking the beach, writing and having long conversations with family and friends.

Tell us a little about your philosophy of life: Love with abandon. Love God, love those you encounter, love what you do and love yourself – in that order.

Member profile: Mike Selig

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 14:49:20 GMT

'It's hard to remember when I ever did anything else.'

I was on the Brevard County Planning and Zoning Board/LPA for 10 years and the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency for four. I’m a Past President of the Brevard Chapter of the American Cancer Society and a Past President of the Salvation Army Advisory Board (1994-1996).

When you joined Rotary: Joined the Cocoa Rotary Club in 1982 but became the Founding President of the Rockledge Rotary Club in 1993.

Why you joined Rotary: Like most, I guess, to give back to those in our community. If you’re active, it automatically expands to the district, region and international communities. I feel blessed to have been put in this place in the world at this point in time. I know what it’s like to be from a family with few resources and work my way to a better place. If I can show others how to better their lives in some way, than it gives me a feeling of accomplishment.

Where you’re from, originally: Glens Falls, NY, but I moved to Brevard County in May 1972.

Other places you’ve lived and worked: I was a U.S. Army officer and helicopter pilot from 1968-1971, so I moved several times from Fort Polk to Fort Wolters to Fort Rucker to Fort Bragg to Soc Trang and Dong Tam in Vietnam. Went back home for one year in April 1971 because I needed a reminder how miserable winter really was. My family has mostly moved on also, but I still have some great high school friends stuck there. Laughingly, I say I go back for high school reunions and funerals, but they have to die in the summer.

Your major influences in life: I’d have to say my high school coaches gave me the competitiveness and strong will to win but the Army turned a boy into a man. If you don’t pay attention to every detail, something bad is going to happen.

Things you do outside of work, interests, hobbies: In my early years, I loved to bowl and was lucky enough to be awarded rings for a 300 game and 800 series. I still play golf but not like I used to. I was lucky enough to get a hole-in-one some years back. I love to fish, especially fresh water, but don’t make the time like I once did. Would love to spend more time with family now because I probably spent too much time working when I was younger. It’s harder now, though, because they have their own lives, families, friends, etc., but I’ll do what I can.

Tell us a little about your philosophy of life: We all make mistakes. It’s important to find time to correct them! Always try to do the best you can do … and pray God will forgive you for the rest!

Member profile: Angela Neal

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 16:45:32 GMT

Helping others succeed, from Japan to the Space Coast

When you joined Rotary: I joined Rotary on May 26, 2016, and was sponsored by Nelson Green.

Why you joined Rotary: I joined Rotary because I wanted to have a more formal path of giving back to the community. I firmly believe in the “ Service Above Self” motto, as I would not be where I am today if others had not given me opportunities along the way. The Rockledge Rotarians aren’t too bad either; I can’t think of a better way to spend my Thursday morning each week.

Where you’re from, originally: The Houston area

Other places you’ve lived and worked: As a military spouse, I have moved several times. I have always had a knack for timing and became a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in 2008. At that time, Edward Jones believed in door-to-door interaction. It got me out of my introverted shell, but it was also challenging to muster the nerve to do this day in and day out, especially since I was new to the Albuquerque area and had no network. And did I mention it was 2008? I had some success but, ultimately, we had to decide if my husband was going to continue with the military or leave so I could continue to pursue my career. Needless to say, we continued with the military.

From there we moved to Florida where it was challenging to find employment due to not having a network, so I initially stayed home with my kids. I later worked at Florida Today handling marketing and advertising, which is where my Rotary story begins. I helped two amazing companies with advertising: Great Southeast Flooring America and Slug-A-Bug (they advertised Space Coast Derby Day in the newspaper). After attending the event, I knew I had to learn more about Rotary and how I could get involved.

Not long after joining Rotary, in true military fashion, we got orders to move to Okinawa , Japan. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to shedding a few tears at the thought of leaving the Space Coast. I was fortunate enough to gain employment as the Volunteer Program Manager with Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) in Japan. I helped connect the military community (active duty and families) with volunteer opportunities, on and off base. That helped bridge the military and Japanese community, as well as provide a sense of belonging and purpose for thousands of service members and families in Okinawa.

Learning from the needs of the military and Japanese community, we created volunteer opportunities where they previously didn’t exist. We started English language classes where we taught low-income students English at Jukus around the island (after-school program), which turned out to be one of my favorite volunteer opportunities. The locals taught their culture to service members, families and me. We taught them American culture. A memory I’ll never forget was when we shared Thanksgiving and they ate mashed potatoes with chopsticks. They had also never seen a turkey before – the size of that bird blew their minds! As you can imagine when the time came for us to leave on military orders there were tears … again.

The only thing making that move bearable was that, somehow, we won the military lottery and got orders back to the Space Coast. This move was going to be EASY… We owned a home in Brevard… I had a network in place … what could go wrong? Did I mention this was January 2020? I started applying for positions as soon as we got orders.

After years as a military spouse and the continuous starting over with employment, I decided to do something about it and volunteered to start a Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Network on the Space Coast in August 2020. We had this program in Japan and it helped spouses gain employment by building relationships with employers and community partners, as well as military spouses.

Helping military spouses gain employment is something I love and would do for free. That leads to my role as Sr. Manager of the Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zones. We leverage best practices from across the U.S. and address issues getting in the way of employment (such as licensure reciprocity and educating employers on the benefits of hiring military spouses). There are currently 21 working groups across the country. Thanks to the work of our community, we will have one on the Space Coast officially on April 22, 2022.

Your major influences in life: I actively surround myself with people that want to make a positive impact and give underserved communities an opportunity to thrive.

A few interesting anecdotes from your history: I was in 4-H as a kid and had a pig named “Weezer.” We paid for the pig and food by gaining sponsors, and used the money earned for college when selling the pig. Also:

Graduate of Lead Brevard “Best Class Ever” Class of 2021.
Traveled to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan while we were stationed in Okinawa.
Space Coast Derby Day Chair 2022 (shameless plug, I hope you can join us).

Things you do outside of work, interests, hobbies: Traveling, hiking, yoga, running to 90s hip-hop music, reading and audio books, volunteering, hanging with my family and learning new things.

Tell us a little about your philosophy of life: Life is what you make it. Be successful by doing what others aren’t willing to do.

Member profile: Neal Hagglund

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 16:28:17 GMT

Careers take Rockledge Rotary’s president-elect to the Pacific Northwest, the Middle East and the Space Coast

After a three-year stint as a government worker for the transit authority, he decided that wasn’t for him, either. That realization came when a fellow employee told him they don’t respond to customer questions unless the person calls three times.

“I found out the first month that I was really not cut out for government work as I was told constantly to slow down my work pace,” Hagglund said. “My boss also told me that he heard I was after his job. I told him I was not but he mentioned it several times in the three years I worked there.”

After that, he moved to Atlanta and worked for a printing company with nearly 50 facilities around the United States. A month into the job, he learned that the company president didn’t think Hagglund could manage effectively by sitting in the home office. Thus, his life of business travel began. During the next three years, Hagglund would fly out of Atlanta on a Monday or Tuesday and not return until either Thursday or Friday. Over the course of three years, he flew about 500,000 miles.

A bank in Miami later recruited Hagglund, just before the savings and loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s. On Groundhog Day, the Federal Government took over the savings bank he was working for. Many of his co-workers were escorted out that day. But Hagglund ended up staying with the bank until the end of the year, when he set up his own company and ran it for five years.

From there, he went to work for a company in the medical prosthetics industry, running its U.S. operations.

After September 11, 2001, Hagglund went to work for a government contractor supporting the U.S. military in Iraq and spent two and a half years living and working there. He also traveled to some of the nearby countries in the Middle East.

“When I was down in southern Iraq, I saw the ruins of the city of Ur , where Abraham grew up,” he said. “I spent the last year up in northern Iraq in the city of Mosul, and I visited the hill overlooking the city of Nineveh where it’s believed Jonah sat and had his pity-party argument with God.”

The trip wasn’t without its dangers, though. Hagglund traveled through Iraq mostly on low-flying Blackhawk helicopters so as not to be a target. One day, there were multiple incidents with helicopters going down in Iraq. Hagglund’s wife, Connie, was living in Michigan at that time with their three young children. She was unable to contact him for nearly 18 hours after hearing the news. “From that point on and even today, she never listened to the news when I was traveling,” he said.

On a subsequent job with a government contractor in Cape Canaveral, he once flew around the world with stops in Beijing, Guangzhou (China), Moscow, Kuwait and Washington, DC. By the time Hagglund left this job of 13 years, he had flown more than 2 million miles.

About two years ago, he took a job with a competitor as Vice President and Director of Capture for defense contractor EMI Services. Hagglund works from his home office in Merritt Island with Connie with two of their adult children. Their oldest works full time and lives in Titusville.

Rotary was a natural choice for Hagglund. As a young man, he admired his pastor, whom he considered an eminently moral man. The pastor was a Rotarian, so Hagglund decided at a young age to be part of a club himself someday.

Community service is a big part of his life. Since 1989, he’s been on the board of the Salvation Army and has served on other non-profit boards, including the Greater Miami Host Committee, Young Life and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Hagglund is now on the board of Boys and Girls Clubs of America .

As if that weren’t enough, he’s an official for high school football, basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball. Connie is a football clock official assigned most of the games Hagglund’s crew officiated.

In July, he will be installed as Rockledge Rotary president.

Member profile: Wes Houser

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 14:50:31 GMT

Local Rotarian returns to Florida after insurance
business keeps him on the move for 23 years

After his time in Orlando, Houser’s job took him to Memphis; Norfolk Va.; Charlotte, N.C.; Roanoke, Va.; Richmond, N.C., and Atlanta.

Today, Houser is an account executive for J.W. Edens & Co. Insurance, where he’s worked for more than 10 years. His specialty is commercial insurance.

“I enjoy the relationships with customers,” he said. “It’s the service aspect of getting them through difficult situations. I really have a sense of helping these people, working to protect their business assets.”

Born in Kansas, Houser has no childhood memories of his native state. His father was in the U.S. Army. After graduating from the University of Florida, he moved the family to Cocoa back in 1956 to become a local CPA and founder of Davies Houser & Secrest CPA PA .

Houser’s appreciation for the military motivated him to become a member of the Brevard County Civilian Military Council. The group raises funds for charitable, benevolent, and education purposes for local military and civilian causes.

“We just finished a fundraiser, a golf tournament for people at Patrick Air Force base, where we raised scholarship money to help local Air Force personnel further their education,” Houser said. “It’s rewarding to be able to help in those ways.”

Years ago, he was involved in a fundraiser to erect a life-sized statue of Melvin Morris , an area Medal of Honor recipient, in Cocoa’s Riverfront Park.

Besides his career and his charitable work, Houser enjoys fishing, golfing and travel. He also appreciates being a part of Rockledge Rotary , where he’s been a member since 2000.

“I have a lot of good friendships there,” Houser said. “Rotary relationships are very important to me.”

Member profile: Duane Daski

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 13:57:59 GMT

Volunteerism, local politics and family keep Duane Daski busy

You might say Duane Daski is a “first among equals.”

His mother gave birth to three sets of twins in three years; Duane and his brother were the first to grace the world. Born prematurely, he was considered a miracle baby back in his native Pennsylvania.

Today, he’s on the Rockledge City Council and has extended his service to countless people through volunteer work over many years. “I've always been involved in giving back and helping out,” Daski said. “I’m a big-time believer in giving back to your community whenever you can and helping out in any way you can.”

Over time, Daski tired of winters in the frozen north and decided to relocate his family to Florida back in the mid-1990s. Since then, he’s been in the banking and insurance industries. Space Coast Credit Union is his current employer, where he manages 10 lenders for the indirect underwriting department.

Daski’s interest in volunteering was inspired initially by his parents, whom he says were always quick to lend someone a helping hand. While in college, he worked with his fraternity to put on a March of Dimes fundraiser that involved bouncing a basketball nonstop for an entire weekend.

He later brought his love of volunteerism to Rockledge. The city responded by naming him Volunteer of the Year in 2011. For 18 years, he served Rockledge on various boards and committees before running for City Council.

Daski’s first bid for the office was unsuccessful, despite a lot of tireless campaigning. But he tried again and prevailed, joining the City Council in 2015. He’s now on his third term.

One of Daski’s proudest accomplishments over the years has been organizing the annual Rockledge 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.

“I started it with the blessing of the City Council and it’s grown a good deal,” Daski said. “Unfortunately we had to cancel it this year and last year because of the pandemic. But it's one of those things that we can’t lose sight of or we’ll lose sight of a lot of other things as well.”

Outside of local politics and his career, Daski stays busy with his wife, one grown daughter and a granddaughter. He maintains an interest in NASCAR , college football, photography and just helping people whenever he can.

“I'm a people person, so these past few years have not been good for me with all the lockdowns and all the cancellations,” he said. “It’s been a struggle for me, so I'm glad to see some things are starting to open back up.”

Member profile: Cheryl Cominsky

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 14:59:47 GMT

Volunteer work for The Children’s Hunger Project

turns into leadership position

Cheryl Cominsky just wanted to do a little volunteering for The Children’s Hunger Project – that’s all. It turned out to be more than that. In April 2020, she became the nonprofit organization’s executive director.

“I started as an office volunteer and then it just became my heart,” said Cominsky, a Rockledge Rotarian . “It was never my aspiration to be executive director. I didn't walk in here with that idea in mind.”

The Children’s Hunger Project in Cocoa is addressing a gap in schoolchildren’s meal programs. While in-school breakfast and lunches are available during the week, some children go hungry on weekends. In response to this problem, volunteers for the organization get together and pack weekend food packages that teachers place into the children’s backpacks. The packages contain nutritious, easy-to-prepare foods these children can bring home on Fridays.

Volunteers meet at the Cocoa location to prep the weekend food packages. A number of businesses, civic groups and faith communities in the area support the effort with generous donations.

“It’s just wonderful to be supported and surrounded by so many good people,” Cominsky said.

The Children’s Hunger Project has been in Brevard County for 11 years. It started out serving 27 students. Now, the program is in 46 elementary schools helping to feed about 2,700 every week. In the early days of the pandemic, the number of meals served reached 6,000 but has since tapered off.

“We're 72 miles of beautiful beaches with spaceships and rocket launches , but we still have families and children who need help,” she said.

A New Jersey native, Cominsky moved to Florida with her husband and son in 2000 (a second son was born in 2002). The move came after she spent years in Pennsylvania managing sales for a software-reselling business. After that job brought the family to the Florida east coast, her husband's job prompted a move to Tampa. Seven years ago, they relocated to Viera .

For much of her adult life, Cominsky has been involved in volunteer efforts, helping organize events, fundraisers, and functioning in other child-advocacy capacities.

“You’ve got to care for other people,” she said. “Everybody needs some help sometimes.”

Member spotlight: Nelson Green

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 17:58:28 GMT

Owner of Great Southeast Flooring America took a winding road to entrepreneurship

When Nelson Green sold his house to scrape up the funds to start a retail flooring store in 1979, he had a most unlikely stroke of luck: a hurricane barreling into town.

A radio station decided to interview Green, who was busy storm-prepping his establishment as Hurricane David’s eye zeroed in on Melbourne. The free publicity was helpful to the fledgling business. The storm’s aftermath was, too, as many homeowners encountered serious flooding and had to replace their soggy floors.

“I had only $10,000 and didn’t know that wasn’t nearly enough,” said Green, owner of Great Southeast Flooring America . “There was a $40,000 bill due at the end of the month and the business that resulted from the hurricane helped me to meet that obligation.”

Born in Huntsville, Ala., Green came to Brevard County in the 1950s when his father took a space program job. Green enjoyed the Sunshine State during his elementary and high school years.

A distinct turning point occurred when he was doing janitorial work at Patrick Air Force Base.

“Working as a janitor made me realize I was definitely going to college,” he said. “My boss was miserable. I was 16 years old and I said, ‘No, I'm not going to do this the rest of my life.’”

After graduating from Satellite High School , Green earned a degree from the University of Florida (he calls it “the Harvard of the South”), where he studied advertising and marketing. He took his newfound expertise to Lancaster, Penn., and landed a job in -- of all places -- the flooring industry.

Four winters in Pennsylvania were enough for Green, who’d grown up accustomed to Florida weather, and he began moving farther and farther south, still working in management positions for major, national flooring companies in their ad departments. Those jobs took him to Greenville, S.C., and Rome, Ga.

Then he had the bug to return to the state he loved so much in his younger days.

“At that time, I decided I would really like to go back to Florida to raise children in Brevard County , because it's such a wonderful place,” he said.

Despite not having any retail experience, Green made a go of it and relied on his industry knowledge. His flooring business started on a shoestring budget. Green and his brother, Ken (still employed there 42 years later), gathered scrap lumber to build some of the store’s early displays.

Green married his wife, Karen, in 1980. She was instrumental in helping make the business what it is today as a trusted advisor and sales person for many years. Her experience as a carpet designer was invaluable in working with clients. Their sons grew up to assume leadership in the company: Chris Green is the general manager, running day-to-day operations, and Zach Green works as the sales manager.

Today, Great Southeast Flooring America is a mainstay in the community. The company has thrived, even amid the pandemic . Green said the store had a better year in 2020 than in 2019, despite a bumpy April. And 2021 is looking even stronger. He theorizes that the lockdown may have actually helped drive business.

“People were sitting at home quarantined, looking at their ugly floors,” he said. “They hadn’t been traveling or going out to eat as much, so there was a lot of excess income. A lot of them decided that if they were going to stay home, they wanted it to look nice.”

The business has widespread support from the community, winning Florida Today’s Best of the Best award nine years in a row and consistently achieving an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau .

It’s important to Green that his flooring business return the favor by supporting the community. Great Southeast Flooring America has an annual scholarship program for 16 Brevard high school graduates attending college. So far, that program has awarded $45,000 to deserving students. Next year will add another $16,000 to the total. The business also helps support the Children’s Hunger Project, Space Coast Derby Day and other worthwhile endeavors.

In the end, Green credits the business’s unwavering commitment to the customer as the primary engine of its success. “It's a cliché but it comes down to taking care of your customers doing what's right, always doing what's right,” he said.

Interact scholarships

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 13:26:23 GMT

Rockledge Rotary recently awarded several Interact scholarships to local high school seniors. Pictured is Interact Club president at Rockledge High Paige Comer (center), who received a $1000 award. With her are Mark Turner, coordinator of the Interact club, and Lisa Turner, Rockledge Rotary Club president.

Space Coast Derby Day to include golf tournament as part of annual fundraiser in May

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 14:59:07 GMT

Event proceeds to help Salvation Army, Crosswinds Youth Services, HART and Rockledge Rotary Foundation

Derby Day chairperson Donna Manfredi, Cecil the Horse and Rotarian Mark Wade get ready for this year's Rockledge Rotary Foundation Space Coast Derby Day, which is set for May 1.

For the first time, the Rockledge Rotary Foundation 2021 Space Coast Derby Day will feature a golf tournament as part of the popular yearly fundraiser.

The themed event that coincides with the Kentucky Derby will be on May 1, 2021. It will combine virtual and in-person participation with adherence to social-distancing requirements.

Beneficiaries include the Salvation Army in Brevard , Crosswinds Youth Services , Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds (HART) and the Rockledge Rotary Foundation . The Foundation raises funds and makes charitable donations in the community that align with the mission of the Rockledge Rotary Club.

The golf tournament begins at 12:30 p.m. at the Turtle Creek Golf Club . Teams and individuals can register for the best ball golf tournament here .

Following the tournament, the Space Coast Derby Day party will take place at the Twisted Birch . The party runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring a live/silent auction and gourmet hors d’oeuvres. There will be a bourbon-tasting area, a live stream of the Kentucky Derby, a wheelbarrow cheer raffle, hat contest, charitable wagering, a 50/50 raffle and more.

“This event is always a good time and this year will be no exception,” said Donna Manfredi, Space Coast Derby Day 2021 chairperson. “We’ve had to make adjustments to last year’s events because of the pandemic lockdown, holding a strictly virtual Derby Day in 2020. This year, we’ll have both live and virtual attendees. As usual, it should be a lot of fun.”

Organizations and individuals interested in sponsoring this year’s Space Coast Derby Day can visit here for details and sponsorship levels.

Anyone interested in participating can visit www.spacecoastderbyday.com to register for the online auction, buy a 50/50 raffle ticket and find more information on the golf tournament and sponsor information.

Member spotlight: Donna Manfredi

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 16:18:40 GMT

Rotarian has an enduring love for helping horses in need … people, too

It may be a grand understatement to suggest that Donna Manfredi has a heart for horses. Her equine proclivities extend back into her childhood.

“I was still running around with my stick horse when other girls my age were already interested in boys,” the Rockledge Rotarian said with a laugh.

One of her main draws to the animal is its kindhearted nature. “Horses are incredibly gorgeous animals but they also have big hearts and are extremely receptive to people,” Manfredi said. “You think about it: Here’s a 1,200-pound animal allowing an individual to get on its back. It’s unbelievable, the generosity of the horse – it’s just amazing.”

A horse owner herself, Manfredi is on the board of directors for Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds (HART) organization. She’s also the chairperson of Space Coast Derby Day , the annual Rockledge Rotary fundraiser that corresponds with the Kentucky Derby.

Manfredi is a Wisconsin native, growing up in an area with a super-zealous fan base for the Green Bay Packers during the Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr days. She received a teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin and has also lived in California, Illinois and Ohio. Instead of teaching, she decided to work for a computer retailer that was on the cusp of the personal computer boom of the 1980s. After her retirement, she became a massage therapist and an energy worker (a therapist who seeks to balance bodily energy for better health).

A wife and a mother of five sons, Manfredi moved to Florida seven years ago. She began volunteering at the Brevard Zoo as a means of acquainting herself with people in her new location.

Soon, she was on the HART board, where she’s served the past six years. The organization provides a foster home for thoroughbred horses that have retired from the race track and need a “forever home.”

“It can run between $600 and $800 a month to take care of one horse, so if you’re in the racing industry, that adds up quickly,” Manfredi said, adding that there are about 20,000 foals born every year groomed for the racetrack. “The chances of any one of those horses making it to a race like the Kentucky Derby are extremely low. Those thoroughbreds that become injured, aren’t fast enough or are ready for retirement need a safe place like HART to land.”

HART also takes in abused or neglected horses confiscated by Brevard County Sheriff's Department . “Sometimes it’s a long recovery period, but we get them healthy again and find them loving ‘forever homes,’” she said.

Space Coast Derby Day has been an important fundraiser for Rockledge Rotary since 2004. In recent years, it’s been an outdoor event at Wickham Park with auctions, mock races and wagers to raise money for area charities. In 2020, COVID-19 precluded any live gathering at the park, so it was a virtual event.

This year’s Space Coast Derby Day will consist of a golf tournament, a live auction and a party at Turtle Creek Golf Club in Rockledge on May 1. More information is available at spacecoastderbyday.com .

Member spotlight: Lynne Roll

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:49:37 GMT

Rotarian sets example of civic-mindedness, willingness to help out

The Rotary motto of “service above self” encourages community involvement and personal sacrifice. One member of Rockledge Rotary who exemplifies that motto is Lynne Roll .

Roll came to Brevard County at the age of 10 when her father -- also a longtime Rotarian -- bought a business in downtown Cocoa. “I'm really more of a Floridian because I've been here for so long,” she said.

A graduate of Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Roll holds a degree in business administration. While at college, she started volunteering -- an avocation that would be an integral part of her life for decades to come. “At one point, I served as president of the college’s alumni group and I'm still very active, going back every year for the homecoming,” she said.

Roll shared her father’s penchant for both Rotary and business ownership, becoming an owner herself and joining Rockledge Rotary. She also became heavily involved in community service. When her children were little, she was the chairman of the Golfview Elementary PTA. Since then, Roll has served on many committees and Rockledge government boards, including the Citizens Advisory Committee, Board of Adjustment, Charter Review Committee, Planning Commission and Redevelopment Agency.

In 2013, she received the honor of Volunteer of the Year award from the city of Rockledge. She was also named Rotarian of the Year by Cocoa Rotary and Rockledge Rotary.

“I think volunteering is very important, being involved in your community and in government,” Roll said. “I get a lot of enjoyment out of it because of all the people I get to meet. Some of the people who are in Rotary are also involved in some of the boards, so I get to see them.”

Roll’s involvement in Rotary began many years ago with clubs in Merritt Island and Cocoa. During a time when she was not attached to one of the clubs, she came upon a food truck rally that members of the Rockledge club were staffing. Rockledge Rotarians Rob LaMarr and Jerry Spaniol encouraged her to come to their meetings, which she did.

“Jerry came up to me and said, ‘You will come to you with the next Rotary meeting,’” she said. “It’s such a good group, I really enjoy them. They're very professional people.”

Married with two adult daughters and three grandchildren, Roll said she enjoys travel when she’s not doing volunteer work.

Member spotlight: Pam Gonzalez

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 14:16:31 GMT

Rotarian’s career brings her into contact with some major celebrities

Pam Gonzalez has been on a fascinating ride since her childhood days in Maryland near Washington, D.C. She has crossed paths with Dan Marino, Herschel Walker , Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Frankie Valli, Merv Griffin and other celebrities as she helped her husband install sound systems at concert venues and Hard Rock Cafes .

“It was fun and interesting. We were at a frat party where Aerosmith was playing at the University of Maryland ,” Gonzalez said of one installation job. “We didn’t know who they were at the time. Eric Clapton was in a small club playing guitar by himself for 200 people.”

Before long, they were doing work for the Grand Ole Opry , Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos, and a number of other high-profile venues.

It was a distinct change of pace for someone who started her career as an early childhood educator. “I did that for several years until we began our own family and I decided, ‘OK, that's enough,’” she said.

In 1982, Gonzalez and her family moved to Merritt Island to escape the chill of the northern winters and the dense traffic around the nation’s capital. Other relatives followed soon after.

“My parents and my in-laws also moved here shortly after we did, so we still had a family with us,” she said. “The kids got to grow up close to their grandparents, which was very important. I didn't like being so far away from them.”

Once in Florida, they set up an audio/video company that sold equipment to churches, hotels and nightclubs. Their contact with celebrities continued. “I did not meet them, but my husband met Michael Jackson and Bob Hope,” Gonzalez said. “They both had suites at a hotel over by Disney. We used to do a lot of work at that hotel.”

Later on, Gonzalez took a job as an administrative assistant at Slug-A-Bug . The company’s president, Steve Lum , is an avid Rotarian and invited her to come to the Rockledge Rotary meetings.

“When he first took me to the Rotary meetings, he was secretary, and he asked me to go with him to learn the secretarial duties,” she said. “That way, if he was not around or had to travel out of town or whatever, I could fill in for him.”

That was in 2017 and Gonzalez, now retired, still attends the meetings. She said she’s struck by the level of camaraderie among the members and their community service.

“I just thought it was kind of neat that everybody was so close and you could tell that everybody generally cared about everybody else,” she said. “It's important to me, too, all the work that Rotary does and all the different things they volunteer to do.”

Member spotlight: Matt Barber

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 14:03:48 GMT

Opportunities to lend a helping hand led Brevard County native to his career … and to Rotary

Matt Barber found Rotary to be an excellent fit with his values and career path.

His father taught him to pursue both a career and a calling: something that pays the bills and, simultaneously, makes a positive difference in people’s lives. Accordingly, he attended the University of Central Florida to study health services administration – a field that could deliver on both counts.

Barber is now director of development at St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care . His healthcare career spans more than 18 years of helping administer various services, including emergency department services, surgery, home healthcare and hospice.

“I enjoy the opportunity of helping others, especially with services that people don't have a lot of insight into,” said Barber, a Brevard County native. “It’s one of my jobs to help people understand what resources are available to them and to their families.”

St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care has provided hospice services in Brevard County for more than 40 years. The organization’s services include all stages of end-of-life care, from pre-hospice to post-hospice. That includes care for patients in their homes.

“Concerning hospice, there's a lot of misunderstanding about the qualifications for the services, and what those services provide to patients,” he said. “That's where I like to come into play and make a difference.”

Barber believes in service above self, and his role with St. Francis Reflections Foundation ties into that mission well. Part of his work is educating the community, meeting with individuals and speaking to groups about the organization’s mission. He makes people aware of the many opportunities to provide gifts, volunteer and use their skills to support that mission. As individuals and companies learn of the important work at St. Francis Reflections, Barber finds new partners in philanthropy.

He also strives to show the community how St. Francis Reflections lives the Rotary Four-Way Test daily. Barber's desire to make a difference and live by these principles was one of the factors that prompted him to join Rotary .

“I checked out several Rotary clubs and attended their meetings,” he said. “But Rockledge Rotary just had a great group of energetic people and there were a lot of things happening there. It’s an excellent opportunity to connect with the community and get to know a lot of people.”

A husband and father of two teenage sons, Barber enjoys a range of outdoor activities that includes biking, surfing and fishing. “I really enjoy anything that involves spending time with my family outdoors,” he said.

Member spotlight: Gene Hinton

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 14:29:46 GMT

Sometimes, plans go by the wayside quickly and life offers a sharp course-correction.

That was certainly the case for Rotarian Gene Hinton , owner of a successful precision machining and fabrication company in Rockledge.

In 1974, Gene finished his journalism degree at the University of Florida and was ready to begin a career with the Fourth Estate. He started at a major newspaper, too: the Atlanta Constitution.

There was only one problem.

“I worked the graveyard shift on the police beat,” Gene said. “I was never comfortable there. It just wasn’t for me.”

Gene left the profession after only a matter of months chasing news stories. Instead, he started chasing customers in the hardware business. It was the era before Home Depot and Lowe’s, and Gene worked the sales and marketing side.

“I loved it,” he said. “I got to travel and meet some great people.”

Following a stint in the U.S. Army , Gene came home and took over his father’s machine and fabrication business. He successfully ran the company from 1978 to 1999.

But after more than 20 years in that business, he was ready for a change. Another company had acquired the business and Gene, with his strong entrepreneurial spirit, felt that he just wasn’t cut out to be an employee.

“After being the employer for so long, I wasn’t good with the daily grind of going to work, getting a paycheck, coming home, getting up the next day and going back to work again,” he explained. “I couldn’t do it.”

It was then that Gene started his own business. And he’s never looked back.

HMS, Inc. does work with an emphasis on steel, stainless steel, aluminum and custom polymer manufacturing. The company has customers in the movie industry, space industry and theme parks, to name just a few.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s in a submarine or a power plant or a theme park,” Gene said. “If it goes up and down, and round and round, we can usually get it manufactured.”

Gene has been involved in Rotary since 1984 when “a dear friend bigger than me said, ‘You’re going to get into Rotary’.” Since then, Gene has been sold on the club’s mission.

“I like the people and I like their mission: service above self,” he said. “I like the fact that you are able to give back to the local, national and global community. Rotary is whatever you want it to be – a true service organization.”

Member spotlight: Mark Wade

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 13:43:07 GMT

That’s show biz: Rotarian found his calling in ventriloquism

Mark Wade calls it “a hobby that got out of hand.”

Ventriloquism became a passion for Mark about 40 years ago, catapulting him to prominence in that field and eventually winning him International Ventriloquist of the Year honors – a designation held by such notables as Jeff Dunham.

It all started after he took a course in the comedic art. The Columbus, OH, native had begun a career teaching elementary school upon graduating from Ohio University. But he soon found his success as a ventriloquist had eclipsed his success as an educator. “I was making more money on weekends at shows than I was teaching for 40 hours during the week and I said, ‘What’s wrong with the picture?’” Mark explained.

Accordingly, he decided to finish out his contract with the school and pursue show business. “I took a leap of faith and bet on myself,” he said.

Mark’s act brought him to Japan, the United Kingdom and many parts of the United States and Canada. He has performed at fairs and various public events, opening for such high-profile entertainers as Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire.

He has appeared many times on national television, including such programs as “Entertainment Tonight,” “CBS Evening News,” and “PM Magazine.”

Now semi-retired, Mark lives in Barefoot Bay with his wife, Jody. He’s still very much involved in ventriloquism, serving on the board of advisors for the Vent Haven Museum in Fort Mitchell, KY – the world’s only ventriloquism museum. He’s also an executive director for the International Ventriloquists Convention that draws about 600 participants from around the globe.

Mark got involved in Rockledge Rotary after accepting a speaking invitation. He enjoyed the people and decided to join, having also been a Rotarian in Ohio for a time.

“It’s a little bit of a jog to get up there but it’s well worth it,” he said. “I have to get up by quarter of five every Thursday morning and drive up there about 40 minutes. But I like the people so well. That’s just the staying power of that club.”