Rochester Rotary Club helping the community celebrate the holidays

Poinsettias, bell ringing and Christmas parade are a few of the club’s favorite holiday things

Media Contact:  Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications, 248.651.7536/586.817.8414, barbara@eafocus.com; Sara Przybylski, EAFocus Communications, 248.877.9200, sara@eafocus.com

Rochester, Mich. ---Nov. 4, 2013 – Rochester Rotary, a member club of Rotary International, a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service and encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, can be spotted across the community this holiday season raising money and volunteering to help change lives.

- Poinsettia Sale: The Rochester Rotary Club is selling poinsettias between now and Tuesday, Nov. 12. The 6 ½” poinsettias are available in white, pink and red for $15 each and are being provided by Bordine Nursery. All proceeds collected benefit special programs for the local community and other charitable projects throughout the world. Orders of 15 poinsettias or more will be delivered to the individuals home or office on Wednesday, Dec. 4 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.; poinsettia orders less than 15 will be available for pick up on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bordine Nursery (1835 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills). To purchase poinsettias, contact Mary Grace McCarter at mgmccarter@rainbowconnection.org or 248.601.9474. According to McCarter, who organized the sale of 1,815 poinsettias for Rochester Rotary in 2012, the goal is to exceed last year’s sales in 2013. 

“This is a community that loves its poinsettias and generously supports those less fortunate. We look forward to setting a new record of sales in support of the many worthwhile charities served by Rotary,” said McCarter.

- Salvation Army bell ringers: Approximately 42 Rochester Rotarians will be stationed throughout Downtown Rochester during lagniappe on Dec. 2, the unofficial start to the holiday season in Downtown Rochester and the kick-off of the Big, Bright Light Show. This is the 15th year Rochester Rotarians have been bell ringers on lagniappe and the club raises an average of $1,200 to $1,500 during lagniappe. All monies raised benefit the Salvation Army.

- Grand Marshals: Rochester Rotarian John Modetz and his wife, Mary Modetz, will serve as the Grand Marshals for this year’s Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade on Dec. 8. John Modetz has been a member of the Rochester Rotary Club for 20 years.

“Rochester Rotarians are focused on changing lives throughout the year, but in the spirit of the holidays, we do even more and are more visible to positively impact our local community this time of year,” said Jay Eastman, M.D., Rochester Rotary Club president.

To learn more about the Rochester Rotary Club and its mission to change lives, visit www.rochesterrotaryclub.org.

About Rochester Rotary

Formed in 1954 and one  of 34,000 member clubs of Rotary International, Rochester Rotary raises and disburses funds for charitable, educational and scientific purposes. Monies are raised through social events and service projects organized by the club, ‘fines’ collected at Rochester Rotary meetings and gifts offered to the club through members and supporters.

The club welcomes new members who live or work in Rochester, Rochester Hills or Oakland Township. For membership information, contact Jeff Whitbey at Jeff@whitbey.net.  Rochester Rotary meets each Tuesday at noon at the River Crest Banquet Hall on Avon Road and Livernois in Rochester Hills.  Learn more at http://www.rochesterrotaryclub.org/.

About Rotary International

Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and around the globe. The 1.2 million Rotarians who hail from Rotary clubs in nearly every country in the world share a dedication to the ideal of Service Above Self. Rotary clubs are open to people of all cultures and ethnicities and are not affiliated with any political or religious organizations. Learn more at http://www.rotary.org/en/Pages/ridefault.aspx.

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