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The Rotary Club of Chestnut Hill continues its extensive outreach in the community, recently awarding grants to nine local organizations, that fall within several of Rotary International’s areas of focus: supporting education, improving local communities, maternal and child health, and protecting the environment. The grants are expected to impact nearly 2,500 individuals in need.
“Thank you so much to the Chestnut Hill Rotary Club for your contribution towards our playground for the moms and kids at Life Turning Point of Philadelphia,” said Founder and Executive Director, Rita Whitaker, Life Turning Point of Philadelphia.
Life Turning Point Founder with children who will benefit from new play area.
Located in the Germantown area of Northwest Philadelphia. Life Turning Point of Philadelphia provides shelter and support for women and their children who are experiencing homelessness. Their clients receive temporary housing in their "home" for up to 18 months while receiving life-skills training and assistance securing employment and permanent housing. The goal of their programs is to help families become self-sufficient after completion.
Amber, one of Life Turning Point’s clients.
"Like all children, the kids who are residing at Life Turning Point of Philadelphia deserve to get outside to play in a fun and safe environment,” said Maggie Stoeffel, Community Service Chair. “When Rita Whitaker asked us to help her with the play space for the kids at Life Turning Point, we were eager to help."
The new outdoor play area will provide a safe place for their clients’ children to play which is an important part of their mental and physical development. The Chestnut Hill Rotary grant was made possible through the fundraising efforts of the members and a matching grant from Rotary International.
Founded in 1995, Chestnut Hill Rotary is known for its hands-on community service projects in the Mt. Airy, Germantown, and Chestnut Hill areas such as painting the halls at Face to Face Germantown, preparing food and gathering clothing for clients of Prevention Point Philadelphia, purchasing and distributing dictionaries to nearby schools in need, or maintaining the pergola, one of the Chestnut Hill many urban parks.
Each year, Chestnut Hill Rotary raises about $30,000 to provide support to more than a dozen local and international organizations. The club accomplishes this with fundraising efforts through its charitable foundation, operated by its members. Successful events are held each year such as the Lobster Fest, Trivia Night, or sometimes members just “pass the hat” when an individual need arises. Members volunteer more than 1,100 hours each year raising funds and providing hands-on service to the local community.
The club also utilizes its members’ extensive knowledge of the local and international communities to identify areas of need, and together work to improve that community. Where possible, funding is matched with a grant from Rotary International or its local District funds which stretches the dollars even further.
“...It’s not just a gift, its access to knowledge. ”
Books given to 3rd grade students at Emlen elementary school.
Supporting education is one of Rotary's seven areas of focus. Why? Because more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population. Rotary’s goal is to strengthens the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender-disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
Each year. Chestnut Hill Rotary purchases and delivers books to 3rd grade students to take home and “call their own” at Eleanor C. Emlen, Henry H. Houston, Jenks Academy for the Arts & Sciences, and Anna L. Lingelbach schools. Volunteer members read and highlight various aspects of the books to get students excited about reading. Member volunteers are distributing the books over the next two weeks.
Gail Redpath, B Inspired (l) receives check from Rotary member, Carol Tyler.
‘When I found out the reactions that children have — and its not just a gift, it’s access to knowledge — but just to have something that was their own, I find that very touching,” said member Steve Erisoty.
As gun violence continues to plague Philadelphia, it is youth who increasingly find themselves as the target. To help, Chestnut Hill Rotary provided funding for seven youths to attend the La Salle University’s Summer STEM Enrichment Camp with a strong conflict resolution component led by a local leader from Germantown Faith Communities Against Gun Violence, Reverend Linda, J. Ivey, MSW.
Funding was also provided for:
B Inspired Philadelphia’s Insight Day for 90 ninth grade students in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia for a life-changing program with Philadelphia Outward Bound.
The Chestnut Hill Garden District for maintenance of Peace Park, one of many lush pockets of parks in Chestnut Hill. Peace Park, located at Germantown and East Mermaid Lane, was renamed in 2019 in collaboration with the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism and Chestnut Hill Rotary to honor the memory of Johanna Sigmund, who was killed in the 9/11 attacks. Her father, John, who passed away in 2021, was a member of Chestnut Hill Rotary and prominent member of the community.
Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels programs that serve daily nutritional needs of any of our neighbors challenged by illness, disability or age.
Science-based field trips for 4th graders at Emlen C. elementary school.
Struggling families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness through Face to Face Germantown’s comprehensive programs.
Skills, opportunities, and transitional employment for people returning from prison through People Advancing Reintegration Recycle Works’ innovative programs which helps to build safer communities and contribute to stronger families while saving taxpayer money.
Support of Teens Inc., a local organization that connects youth to the world through local and global service programs.
The club plans to announce additional grant awards to local and international causes in the coming months.
To make a tax-deductible contribution to Chestnut Hill Rotary, visit here.
