by Ingrid Nova | Feb 2, 2012 | Events, Foundation and Fund Raising, Playground in the Park
East Lansing, MI – The East Lansing Rotary Club and City of East Lansing are pleased to announce that MSU Women’s basketball Coach Suzy Merchant will be leading the effort to replace the wooden playground structure at East Lansing’s Patriarche Park. “We’re so happy to have Coach Merchant Chair the Playground Committee,” said East Lansing Rotary President Tim McCaffrey. “My children have really enjoyed playing at Patriarche Park, so I’m really excited about being a part of this effort to build a new playground at the park for children and their families to enjoy,” said Coach Suzy Merchant.
(rendering of park play structure concept)
In 1995, the Rotary Club of East Lansing spearheaded the construction of the wooden playground structure at the park. Over the past sixteen years, the playground has been enjoyed by literally thousands of school-aged children and their families. However, heavy use of the facility, along with Michigan’s weather has taken its toll on the structure. The playground renovation originally slated for the fall of 2011 was interrupted when planners became aware that CCA pressure-treated wood was used to build the original playground structure in 1995. While it’s believed the playground is safe and that CCA levels are not harmful, the Rotary Club and City of East Lansing decided that it is more practical to raze the current structure and build a new playground.
“Replacing the existing structure with a completely new one, utilizing the latest in materials and technology, gives us a unique opportunity to create a playground that is more accessible, especially for children with physical disabilities; incorporates the latest safety standards; and provides features promoting physical fitness,” stated Rotary Club President Tim McCaffrey. The planned rebuild of the playground structure will use materials expected to last 25-30 years, or more.
A series of community meetings have been scheduled at the Hannah Community Center on Abbot Rd. in East Lansing. Information about the preliminary concepts for the playground will be shared and public input will be sought about what the future playground structure might look like. Following are the meeting dates and times:
Thursday, February 23rd 7:00 pm
Tuesday, March 6th 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 10th 10:00 am
The Rotary Club of East Lansing was chartered in 1961 and celebrated its 50thyear of service last September. In addition to the playground project, the Club has helped spearhead a number of projects in the community, including: building the East Lansing “splash pad,” renovating the facilities and replacing the boiler at Haven House; and supporting a number of programs provided by non-profit agencies.
(click image for a larger view)
by Ingrid Nova | Feb 2, 2012 | Speakers for the Month
The programs for February 2012 are listed below. Join us Mondays at MSU’s University Club, at 12 noon!
February 06: Jackson Kaguri – Update on the happenings at Nyaka School in Uganda
February 13: Bill Eubank – Presentation on his work in China
February 20: Mark Henne – Update on the ongoing bio-sand filter program and the Clean Water Project
February 27: To be announced
by Ingrid Nova | Jan 23, 2012 | Rotary International News
On January 13th 2012, the world will reach a remarkable milestone in the fight to eradicate polio – 12 months without a single case of polio for the first time in India’s history.
It’s a remarkable achievement: and one that many thought would never be possible.
One of only four remaining polio endemic countries in the world, India has battled to get the upper hand in the fight against polio. As recently as 2009, India recorded the highest number of polio cases in the world. Many said it would never stop the spread. But since then, nationwide collaboration has changed this story.
Read the rest of this story here.
by Ingrid Nova | Dec 22, 2011 | Community Service Ongoing, Foundation and Fund Raising
East Lansing, MI December 22, 2011 – HAVEN HOUSE announced today that it has received necessary funds to replace the 40 year old boiler that is on its last leg.
Haven House, the only homeless shelter in the area that serves entire families, was in desperate need of a new boiler. The East Lansing Rotary Club and Foundation along with Teresa Ringenbach, Manager Government Affairs of Direct Energy and John LaRose, Chief Executive Officer of Celink stepped up to help raise money quickly so it can be replaced before anyone gets left out in the cold.
Thanks to the East Lansing Rotary Club and The East Lansing Rotary Foundation’s social media campaign and sponsorship of the Mud and Suds fundraiser combined with additional generous contributions from Williamston Lodge #153 and Freemasons of East Lansing #480 they were able to raise over five thousand dollars for the boiler replacement funds. Celink and Direct Energy each also contributed five thousand dollars bringing in just over $15,000 to cover the costs.
After receiving the funds at a ceremony yesterday, with East Lansing Rotary President Tim McCafferey, and Rotarian Noah Smith, Teresa Ringebach of Direct Energy, and Representative Mark Meadows, the new boiler was ordered and installation is expected in the next couple weeks. “We were happy to assist Haven House with such an urgent need,” said McCafferey. Angie Mayeaux, Executive Director of Haven House expressed
her gratitude saying, “I am so grateful to the East Lansing Rotarians for their dedication to this project and to all the individuals and businesses that made our Christmas wish come true. We are at full capacity and keeping families safe and warm is a priority during the cold months ahead.”
Haven House provides temporary housing to homeless families with children while they look for permanent housing. The staff provides case management, counseling, parenting classes, and tutoring for the residents during their stay and offers a transitional program for families after they move into housing. More information about Haven House is available at www.HavenHouseEL.org or by calling 517-337-2731.
by Ingrid Nova | Dec 13, 2011 | Community Service Ongoing, Events, Foundation and Fund Raising
Please join us Friday, December 16th at Tavern on the Square in Downtown Lansing (6-9pm) for a fundraiser supporting East Lansing’s Haven House. We will be raising funds to replace their boiler, which will not make it through the winter. You can view details of the event here: http://on.fb.me/rxrfHk. You can also read the article from the Lansing State Journal here: http://on.lsj.com/t5VgGU.
We appreciate your support!
