The Tribune Newspapers was among more than 50 Lake Houston-area businesses honored for their community service through the Humble Rotary Club during the club’s annual appreciation luncheon held Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Humble Civic Center.
The club distributed more than $50,000 to 10 Lake Houston-area not-for-profits – Oaks of Righteousness, Society of St. Stephen, Re:Mind, Including Kids, Family Promise of Lake Houston, FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center, Humble Area Assistance Ministries, Mission Northeast, Village Learning and Achievement Center, and Lake Houston YMCA.
Each recipient application was vetted by Chair Nikki Bennett Fasbender, Ted Price, Harold Perkins, Eric Gomez, Danny Contreras and Sandra Gastanaduay-Collison.
“The requests we received were double what we could give,” Fasbender told her fellow Rotarians after presenting the checks to representatives of the organizations.”That’s why our sponsorships are so important and why we appreciate our businesses.”
As each representative received their check, Rotary Club President Chris Elliott described how their funds will be spent.
Oaks of Righteousness will repair and upgrade their transition house for female ex-offenders.
Society of St. Stephen will provide disadvantaged children in the Humble, New Caney and Splendora school districts with supplies, backpacks and shoe vouchers.
Re:Mind will grow their weekly support group serving people living with depression or bipolar disorders.
Including Kids will initiate the Inspire Entrepreneurial Program to provide meaningful work for young adults with autism.
Family Promise of Lake Houston will expand their Nurturing Parenting Program and continue to provide gas cards and vehicle maintenance to their clients.
Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center will replace their Dayton facility’s air-conditioning system.
Humble Area Assistance Ministries will purchase a dedicated van for delivery of lunches.
Mission Northeast will assist clients by providing propane and gas to heat and cook this winter.
Village Learning and Achievement Center will upgrade their Vocational Training and Education Program.
The Lake Houston Family YMCA received the district grant, which will allow them to partner with five Title 1 schools in Humble ISD and three local apartment complexes to teach more than 700 children how to swim.
Prior to distributing the checks, Elliott described the crucial role that Rotary plays in the Lake Houston community.
“It’s the people you see here around you who are making the difference in Lake Houston,” Elliott said. “This year we raised nearly $94,000 through our annual Spring Festival and our fall Scholarship Golf Tournament. That means, since 2005, the total contributions from the Rotary Club of Humble to the Lake Houston community is $1.46 million.”
Funds raised by Humble Rotary are returned to the community through scholarships, student leadership development, the Rotary youth exchange program, support of the Humble ISD FFA Livestock Auction, and the grants presented to the not-for-profit organizations, according to Elliott.
There will be a major change in Rotary’s annual Spring Festival in 2020.
Incoming President Michael Kevlin announced that Humble Rotary is partnering with McCord Development at Generation Park, located at Beltway 8 and W. Lake Houston Pkwy., to participate in Generation Park’s Block Party which will include live music, food and drink and plenty of family activities.
“Our ability to continue to give back to our community is due in large part to the organization and planning of our Spring Festival,” said Elliott. “We’re excited about partnering with McCord Development and preparations have been underway since mid-May.”
The Rotary Club of Humble meets Wednesdays, 11:45 a.m. at the Humble Civic Center. To learn more about the advantages of being a Rotarian, visit humblerotary.com.
