Newsletter

Donation Drive
Peanut Butter & Jelly

Thomas County Cares – a local organization that supports the homeless community and those in food-insecure households – is hosting a peanut butter and jelly drive through Thursday, May 22. Please consider a donation, whether you bring your jars to Rotary this week or next, or you drop your plastic jars off at one of the collection boxes around the community – including Lowe’s, several local banks and churches, and the sheriff’s department.

All donations should be unopened plastic jars of any brand or style of peanut butter or jelly.

Peanut butter and jelly have long been a staple for food pantries as PB&J sandwiches offer many nutritional benefits, including protein, healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. Satisfying and energy-boosting, these sandwiches are also easy to make, even for those without a kitchen, or for young children, making them ideal for the summer season, when children are not receiving meals at schools and may not be receiving as much support.

In a nod to the early 2000s Peanut Butter Jelly Time meme, Thomas County Sheriff Tim Watkins and Thomasville Police Chief Wade Glover have recorded a video dancing to the song – with a cameo by Wonder Bread’s own Freddy the Fresh Guy, above. Find it on Facebook. 

Thursday, May 15
Pack & Sort

The club meeting on Thursday, May 15 will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Second Harvest Food Bank. We will pack produce boxes for distribution at Weston Park on Saturday, May 17.

Saturday, May 17
Produce Market at Weston Park

Rotary will host its monthly produce distribution at Weston Park on Saturday, May 17. Set up begins at 7:30 a.m. Food distribution begins at or before 8:30 a.m. and is finished when all the produce is distributed, usually around 10 a.m.

Several of the club's regular volunteers will not be at this week's produce distribution, so we are asking for at least 10 new volunteers – club members, their family and/or friends – to participate. The morning activity is a great opportunity for fellowship and fun with your fellow Rotarians, and many hands truly do make the work light, helping about 250 families have fresh fruits and vegetables they may not otherwise have. 

Wednesday, May 21
Coffee Chat

Join us next Wednesday morning at Grassroots anytime between 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. for a cup of coffee and a casual conversation with fellow Rotarians! No agenda, no requirements. 

Rotary Youth Exchange
Support Ivan's Study Abroad Year

Ivan Santoyo is still fundraising for his upcoming study abroad program through Rotary Youth Exchange. We are very excited for Ivan, our first-ever Rotary Youth Exchange participant, and our club has committed to help Ivan pay his out-of-pocket expenses … [more]

Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendar

Here is a look at our upcoming events for May.

• Thursday, May 15: Sort and Pack at Second Harvest, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday, May 17: Produce distribution, Weston Park. Set up begins at 7:30 a.m., distribution begins at 8:30 a.m. or as soon as set up is completed.
• Wednesday, May 21: Coffee Chat at Grassroots Coffee. No agenda, just drop in to get to know your fellow Rotarians a little better. Anytime between 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m.
• Thursday, May 22: André and Walter Marria will share details of their trip to India earlier this year to administer polio vaccines. 
• Thursday, May 29: Several new members will give their introductory talks; we'll have a foundation update, and a fifth Thursday tradition and history brief update. 

The calendar is subject to changes. Find the most updated Rotary calendar anytime:

• Add any individual calendar item from the Rotary calendar to your personal calendar.
• Subscribe to the Rotary calendar for automatic updates.