It’s amazing how quickly six months flies! It seems like just yesterday I was writing about the Rotary Beer Garden for Oktoberfest and how the proceeds from the event would be used to expand the picnic shelter in Pride Park for the Newberry County Disabilities and Special Needs Board. And now, in March, the project is finished, and we are doing the dedication! If you could not attend the dedication on the 23rd, be sure to stop by Pride Park to see the how your contribution to the Rotary Club of Newberry is being used in our community!

Another joint community project we’ve been working on is the installation of “Little Free Libraries.” These little libraries are stocked with books that neighborhood children can borrow. When they are done, they put the books back and another child can borrow a book. Three libraries have been placed in the Newberry community at Newberry College, Newberry Arms and Grant Homes. Newberry College student, Sarah Johnson, built the little libraries and The Rotary Club of Newberry will continue to stock the libraries at Newberry Arms and Grant Homes so books are available to more children in our community.

The RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) committee is finalizing the selection of students we will be sponsoring this year. Selected high school students will travel to North Carolina in June to participate in a program designed to develop leadership skills while having fun and making connections with students from other communities. They will learn how communication and problem-solving skills, develop strategies for becoming a leader and, in many cases, develop lasting friendships.

The Radio Days fundraiser is in full swing and I’m excited by the businesses who are participating this year. So far, CNNGA and Hedgepath Outdoor Power Equipment have signed up to be Gold Level Sponsors. JF Hawkins, Springfield Place, Half Full Coffee & Wine, ServPro of Newberry & Laurens Counties, The Corner Scoop, and Pope Parker Jenkins P.A. have all agreed to be Bronze Level Sponsors! Check out our Facebook page for a full list of our participants and listen next month on WKDK to hear more about the businesses supporting your Rotary Club of Newberry. It’s not too late to participate; if you are interested, just reach out to us on Facebook and we’ll get you all the details you need to get involved with this event.

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Christina Pomeroy

Contributing Columnist

Christina Pomeroy is the chair of the public relations committee for the Newberry Rotary Club.