Projects
As well as supporting Rotary Internationals Foundation, Pensacola North performs several projects on a local level.
Military Care Packages
The Military Care packages Project was an extreme success! Our club was able to send out 97 care packages to deployed military personnel! Special Thanks to Wal-Mart, Sacred Heart School, and all the other unsung heroes!
Reading is Caring
Literacy is high on Rotary International’s service agenda and in our local district. Illiteracy is not just a problem in the developing world. Even in wealthy countries such as the U.S., many people are functionally illiterate. Being able to read and write is crucial in almost every job. Pensacola North Rotary is excited to be involved with Children’s Services Center in the promotion of reading.
The Reading Is Caring (RIC) project will bring “Rotary Readers” into five (5) designated child care settings (Children’s Services Center helped to identify centers with disadvantaged children) once a week for a period of six (6) months. The readings will be with the 4 year old age group and the days will be on Tuesdays at 10:00 am for 15 – 20 minutes of reading time, plus a few minutes to tell about ourselves, our jobs, or Rotary. Reading will start during the first week in April. We hope that all members can go out and read at least once, or more often if you can.
Before you can volunteer to be a Rotary Reader you must complete a “Volunteer Information Sheet” and the Florida Department of Children and Families “Affidavit of Good Moral Character” found HERE. Return these forms to Scott Robertson and he will forward to Children's Services Center to keep on file.
As project coordinator for this project, Scott will:
- Provide “Volunteer Information Sheets” and the Florida Department of Children and Families “Affidavit of Good Moral Character” sheets to be completed by Rotary volunteers.
- Coordinate the names of our members who volunteer and which day(s) they will visit which center and communicate this information with each child care center and Children's Services Center.
- Create a master calendar of reading dates, times, locations, and volunteers after consulting with child care center directors. Scott will be passing the calendar around at our next few meetings.
Children's Services Center will provide a list of appropriate children’s books to be purchased by Pensacola North Rotary and placed in the centers for the Rotary Readers to read, so besides volunteering our time, our club will be providing books as well.
If you have any questions feel free to contact Scott Robertson by email at srobertson@nfbcblood.org or by phone at 261-6977. You may also contact our club’s projects committee chairperson, Al Gilley.
Following is a list of the 4 child care centers along with address (with link to a map), phone number, and the director or coordinator.
Capstone Academy
4901 West Fairfield Drive
Pensacola, FL 32501
Mr. Charles Thomas 458-7735
Child Discovery Center
33 East Gregory Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
Lori Winterberry 433-2463
Englewood Baptist Early Development
1240 West Scott Street
Pensacola, FL 32501
Deirdre Simpson 434-1998
WeeKare Academy
2901 N. 12th Avenue
Pensacola, FL 32503
Brenda Hardy 432-4990
Coloring Books
Yearly participation in going into second grade classrooms with the "Four Way Test" coloring books and CD. The project helps introduce young children to the concepts of Rotary.
THE FOUR WAY TEST
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all CONCERNED?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED?
Taxi Stands
In conjunction with the Downtown Improvement Board, The City Public Works Department, Community Redevelopment Agency, and the Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola, five taxi-stands have been placed in Downtown Pensacola. Prior to the project, taxis were not allowed to park downtown to await potential riders. Now there are four nighttime locations and one daytime for taxis to queue. The Rotary Clubs brought this idea to the table and paid for the taxi-stand signs.
Bell Chasse & Port Sulfur Library
Bell Chasse & Port Sulfur Libraries in Louisiana were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. PNR raised and donated $4,656.52 for the rebuilding of these libraries.
Santa, Children, and Bicycles!
PNR was able to give 30 new bikes with all the accessories (water bottle, helmet (Courtesy of THINKFIRST of NWFL), & lock) to deserving children of Oakcrest Elementary.
More projects to come soon!
