Changing Locations
Supporting Vashti
As we look forward to moving back to the Plaza on Thursday, March 5, the club has committed to supporting Vashti in a variety of ways in the future.
Vashti provides an invaluable service in southwest Georgia, providing residential assistance to 20 children at a time in addition to mental health counseling for more than 500 students in schools around the region.
First, any members who feel so led are asked to support Vashti financially. Please bring cash or check made out to Vashti to Thursday's meeting – our last regular meeting at Vashti. We'd like to present a parting gift to thank the Vashti team for all the support they've provided over the past year as our meeting host.
Additionally, a committee has formed to provide ongoing and annual support to the children who live at Vashti. If you would like to join in any of these efforts, please contact Marta Jones-Turner and/or the lead noted below:
Regular Projects:
- Birthday cakes: 20 cakes and birthday celebrations per year (Marta)
- Students assist/attend Rotary Meetings: 1 or 2 Vashti students will attend Rotary meetings weekly, serve tea and water, and congregate with Rotarians (Devona Thompson)
- Students assist at monthly fresh produce market: Students to volunteer alongside Rotarians at produce distribution (Mike Beaty)
- Graduation celebrations: Coordinate graduation celebration and gift baskets for Vashti residents who complete high school (Marcy Sizemore, Laura Pike)
- Little Library: Build, install, and manage a community Little Library on campus (Andy Vann)
- Lifestyle classes: Join Vashti Connectors in offering monthly lifestyle classes. What would you teach your own children that you can also teach the children who live at Vashti? Sewing, cooking, changing tires, tying a tie – the sky is the limit! (Kellie Merck, Marcy Sizemore, Devona Thompson)
Annual Projects
- Off-campus spring break cookout: Provide a cookout and enrichment activity during spring break for the residential students at Vashti (Mike Beaty, Paul Overstreet, Tony Lloyd)
- Rotary workday: Work with Vashti staff to establish and execute a project plan for an annual workday to work on landscaping, building repairs, painting, etc. (Angela Williamson, Jim Bue, David Sofferin, Tony Lloyd
- Vashti fundraising: Encourage donations from club members to support Vashti with annual gifts, and consider other fundraising opportunities (Andy Vann)
How can you support Vashti?
January 25, 1940 - February 3, 2026
In Memory of John Allan Brown
We are saddened by the loss of an exceptional club member and leader. John Allan Brown, age 86, died on February 3, 2026. John, a successful entrepreneur and business owner, joined the Rotary Club of Thomasville in 2010 when he his wife retired to Thomasville. He was active across the club’s areas of service. John’s dedication to Rotary was especially evident when he served as president in 2020-2021 – an historic time marking the club's 100th anniversary and the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, the club experienced an award-winning year and commemorated the milestone by planting oak trees along the perimeter of Paradise Park, leaving a lasting tribute to both the community and Rotary's enduring impact. John will be fondly remembered for his kind nature, impactful service, and insightful leadership.
Rotarians wishing to honor John may consider a memorial contribution to the club’s Big Impact Project for Underserved Communities. Make contributions to Rotary Club of Thomasville Charitable Fund at the registration table at club meetings or mail them to CFSGA, PO Box 2654, Thomasville, GA 31799-2654. Donations will be held in the club’s account at Community Foundation of South Georgia (CFSGA) to be used for the Big Impact fresh produce markets. Note: CFSGA is a tax-deductible organization.
Thursday, Feb. 12
City of Thomasville Bicentennial
This week, we'll hear from city of Thomasville officials about the year-long celebration honoring our community's 200th anniversary.
The festivities began with a kick-off celebration at the amphitheater in January, but it will continue throughout the year. Learn more before the meeting.
Thursday, Feb. 12
Blood Drive
The OneBlood Blood Mobile will be onsite at Vashti on Thursday, Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All donors will receive a prize along with a wellness checkup, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screening.
Appointments are encouraged, please visit oneblood.org/donate-now and use sponsor code 17630.
Don't forget to bring your ID when you arrive for your appointment.
Friday, Feb. 13
Rotary Has Heart for Seniors
The annual Rotary Scott Senior Center Valentine Party is Friday, Feb. 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join your fellow Rotarians to chat with seniors, serve lunch, pass out Valentines, and help the seniors visit the ice cream truck.
Contact Angela Williamson (229.977.2657) to volunteer. We hope to see you there!
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Coffee Chat
Join us Wednesday, Feb. 18 at Grassroots Coffee anytime between 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. for a cup of coffee and a casual conversation with fellow Rotarians! Stay long enough to enjoy breakfast and get to know your fellow Rotarians better or grab your coffee to go. No agenda, no program.
Thursday, Feb. 26
Hands & Hearts for Horses Field Trip
Plan ahead – on Thursday, Feb. 26, the Rotary Club will go on a field trip to visit Hands & Hearts for Horses. Rotarian and program director Susie Shin will provide lunch and an activity on the grounds before speaker Fran Gilbert gives us an overview of Sportsability Alliance and its work to enrich lives through accessible, inclusive recreation and active leisure.
Hands & Hearts for Horses is celebrating 25 years of changing lives through therapeutic horsemanship. Be sure to join us for this special meeting!
Plan ahead: Saturday, March 21
Thomasville Ritz Music Festival
The Thomasville R.E.A.D. Foundation and the Rotary Club of Thomasville are planning the inaugural Thomasville Ritz Music Festival on Saturday, March 21, featuring an incredible variety of music performances – country, R&B, country rock, pop, southern soul funk, and music from some of the best DJs in the Southeast.
Proceeds from the festival will benefit R.E.A.D. and power its literacy initiative and support other life-changing programs and partnerships for children in K-12 schools in our community.
To become a sponsor or for more information, contact Stephan Thompson (404.488.2761). To volunteer, contact Angela Williamson (229.977.2657).
