Improving Communities
The Rotary Club of Chestnut Hill locally provides relief and aid for people experiencing food insecurity and homelessness, and works in helping minority entrepreneurs through funding and direct hands-on service. The club’s outreach also extends internationally.
Local Outreach
Chestnut Hill Rotary operates a drive for Pathways PA to deliver Christmas presents for families based on their individual needs. The club also provides grants to cover the cost registration fees for their women clients to take the high school equivalency examination. The organization provides women, children and families residential and community-based services as they work to break the cycle of poverty, homelessness, and abuse.
Members regularly volunteer to prepare and deliver food for Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels clients and recently partnered to purchase recyclable food bags for their program that serves the daily nutritional needs of people challenged by illness, disability or age.
At Face to Face Germantown, members volunteered to refurbish and paint the dining facility and hallways and the club’s foundation provided financial support their clients of struggling families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness.
“THANKS TO THE CHESTNUT HILL ROTARY FOR YOUR KIND GIFT TO HELP US COVER THE COST OF REUSABLE BAGS…RESPONSES HAVE BEEN VERY POSITIVE, AND WE ANTICIPATE THE ENTHUSIASM WILL GROW AS WE EXPAND THE PROJECT. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US CARE FOR OUR CLIENTS WHILE IMPROVING OUR IMPACT ON THE EARTH!””
Grants were awarded to support the local nonprofit, The Business Center that provides education and business networking programs necessary to strengthen the business formation necessary to contribute to improving Northwest Philadelphia’s minority business ecosystem.
Volunteer members helped set and take down the stage for the popular Pastorius Park Summer Concerts presented by the Chestnut Hill Community Association. This popular annual event is the longest running free outdoor concert series in Philadelphia. Pastorius Park Summer Concerts take place for seven weeks, mid-June into the end of July.
International Outreach
In the international community, Chestnut Hill Rotary’s efforts helped support several organizations with which members have a direct connection.
Chestnut Hill Rotary provides support for Hope Children’s Home that offers care to abused and neglected children in Guyana from infants to 18 years of age.
The club has provided donations of clothing, school supplies, bedding and towels, kitchen and household supplies. The club’s foundation awarded grants to purchase of a refrigerator, washing machine, dining tables and other needed furnishings for children.
Member Rebecca Anwar volunteers several months each year to bring supplementary educational and operational opportunities to the home. She also implemented projects that improved plumbing and sanitation facilities, art and music programs, and training on basic financial literacy and computer training. Read more here.
Grants have been awarded to Bududa Learning Center in Uganda that provides educational training programs for orphaned children, job training for young adults, and small business loans for impoverished women.
Member Barbara Wybar, Executive Director and founding team member of the Center, spends several months each year to oversee the organization and report back on the progress.
Chestnut Hill Rotary provides grants to support Power Up Gambia, whose goal is to provide reliable electricity to health care facilities throughout the Gambia. They do so through the installation of solar panel systems and battery storage systems, providing power throughout the day.
The club provided grants to Corazon House & Septic Build Project with the Yorba Linda Sunrise Rotary Club that provides a house for a family in need in Mexico.
