CANINE PARTNERS FOR LIFE

Canine Partners For Life (CPL) trains and places assistance dogs with individuals with mobility impairments to help increase their independence and quality of life. CPL has several types of assistance dogs in its program including service dogs, seizure alert dogs, home companions and residential (community) companions. On an annual basis, Christiana Rotary sponsors a puppy that will eventually be trained to be a service dog for a mobility impaired individual. Recipients come from all walks of life and have a wide variety of physical disabilities including muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders and more. The one thing they all have in common is a drive to become more independent and a commitment to do what is necessary to have an assistance dog in their life. These dogs learn to do numerous things that make the recipient more independent, such as opening & closing doors, turning lights on & off, retrieving telephones & almost anything else, paying money at stores, turning their person over in bed, helping their person to get dressed & undressed, and much more. For more information about CPL, visit their website at www.k94life.org.

BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS OF DELAWARE

For more than 25 years, Christiana Rotary has been the main sponsor of the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Picnic. Each year, the event draws more than 500 excited boys and girls and their Big Brothers or Big Sisters from all over Delaware for an afternoon of fun, food and fellowship. In addition to the food, the kids are also busy enjoying magicians, clowns, rides, games and often a visit from the State Police Helicopter. As the afternoon winds down and the last of the trophies are given out for the sack race or the egg toss, Rotarians begin to clean up and pack for home. Picnic goers head home with smiles on their faces, trophies in hand, and happiness in their hearts. Rotarians often speak of a smile on a child’s face as they ask for another piece of watermelon or an expression of sheer joy when they pick up their trophy for winning a race. That’s when you realize giving up a few hours on a Saturday in June is definitely worth every minute. For more information about Big Brothers/Big Sisters, visit their website at www.bbbsde.org.

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

One current area of special emphasis for Rotary clubs focuses on providing "new opportunities for the aging." With the substantial upswing in the worldwide population of older persons, their needs for special attention have greatly multiplied. As citizens grow older, it becomes increasingly important for them to retain their personal independence and to remain in control of their own lives to the extent this is possible. The greatest need of aging individuals is frequently a mere expression of real caring and concern by thoughtful friends. The Little Sisters of the Poor are religious women, members of an International Congregation, who have dedicated their lives to the service of the elderly in 30 countries of the world on its 5 continents. In Delaware, they maintain a unique and wonderful nursing home located at 185 Salem Church Road, in Newark. Christiana Rotary supports The Little Sisters and their elderly residents through financial support and by inviting residents to join us from time to time at our weekly meetings for lunch and companionship. For more information about The Little Sisters of the Poor, visit their website at www.littlesistersofthepoor.org.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

The Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club provides a safe place to learn & grow, ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals, life-enhancing programs and character development experiences, and hope & opportunity. Christiana Rotary enjoys a special relationship with the Greater Newark Boys and Girls Club. Each year, our Club sponsors a trip to see the Phillies at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. We provide the kids with tickets to the game, transportation by chartered bus, and spending money for food and souvenirs. This has become an annual event that’s tied to Rotary Night At The Phillies, something our Club has actively participated in for many years.  A portion of every ticket sold is donated by The Phillies to the Rotary International's Polio Eradication Program. For further information about The Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club, go to www.newarkbgclub.org.

THURGOOD MARSHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CL0THES CLOSET Christiana Rotary Club developed, funded and helped maintain a clothes closet at the Thurgood Marshall Elementary School.  Clothing essentials such as shoes, coats, underwear, socks and gym clothes are purchased with funds provided by the Christiana Rotary and distributed to children in need at the school.  The Club has committed to continue to provide ongoing support for this worthy project.

   BLOOD BANK OF DELMARVA

The Blood Bank of Delaware/Eastern Shore provides lifesaving blood to 18 hospitals and 7 renal care centers on the Delmarva Peninsula. Each year, approximately 75,000 donors are needed in the local area to meet the needs of trauma victims, those with cancer or leukemia, and surgery patients. Christiana Rotary supports the Blood Bank in a variety of ways.  

Most members of the Club have been regular blood donors for years. Many participated in the Club’s "Gallon a Month" program, which encouraged members and their friends or family to provide 8 blood donors each month. Some Club members have shown their support by starting or promoting a Blood Bank Group Membership Plan at their place of business. In 2003, Christiana Rotary became the first service organization to sponsor the Blood Bank’s First Time Donor Program, which provides incentive T-shirts to high school and college students giving blood at their school blood drives. Each year, over 5,000 students bravely give blood for the first time at Delmarva schools. Encouraging and reinforcing that behavior by giving students a good first-donation experience helps ensure the community’s future blood supply. For more information about the Blood Bank of Delaware/Eastern Shore, go to its web site at:www.delmarvablood.org.

 LOCAL SOLDIERS IN IRAQ

The 249th Engineer Detachment Utility is a Delaware Army National Guard unit which has soldiers stationed in Baghdad. One of the greatest issues soldiers have in Iraq is the separation they feel from their loved ones at home. These soldiers are now able to call their families with the help of  satellite phones. These phones use special phone cards that are purchased in Denmark because the cards are not sold in the United States. The 249th Family Readiness Group has set up a fund called "A Buck Buys A Minute" to receive donations to help defray the cost of the air time provided by these cards. Every dollar collected buys one of the soldiers stationed in Iraq one minute of air time to talk with their families. Christiana Rotary is proud to have donated funds that will be used to buy 600 minutes of air time for these soldiers.  

                                               LOCAL NEEDS COMMITTEE

The Local Needs Committee consists of a Chairperson, 2 Board members, and up to 4 additional members. The primary function of the Committee is to utilize Club money and resources so as to make the greatest impact within the local community in times of crisis. Any Club member who becomes aware of a local family or individual facing a crisis can bring this to the attention of the Committee.  The Committee is empowered to quickly put a plan of action in place to help resolve the issue. The Committee always tries to get other resources involved in order to maximize results.   

                                   SALVATION ARMY HOLIDAY KETTLE DRIVE    

Every year, members of the Christiana Rotary Club take a few hours out of their busy holiday schedule to Ring the Bell for the Salvation Army’s Holiday Kettle Drive. These Rotarians put on their warm winter gear and a smile to help the Salvation Army.  Rotarians ring the bell at the Christiana Mall and collect donations from  shoppers. Any participating Rotarian knows that more than just money is raised. This event spreads the true spirit of giving from the multitude of individuals that walk by the kettle and drop a few dollars or coins into the kettle. The Club looks forward to hearing from the bell ringers about a small child’s efforts to get a dollar into the kettle, or exhibiting great eagerness to ring the bell.

SARAH'S HOUSE

Sarah's House is a shelter for battered women & their children. It provides a safe haven for women who have left their abusive partners, sometimes with only the clothes on their backs. Sarah’s House provides these women with security, support and the knowledge that they are the victims and have not caused the abuse. To complicate the situation, there are often innocent children who knew what was happening to their Moms, and all too often, were themselves abused, physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or sexually. Getting out is only the first step, and although it is a huge one, there are still many difficult hurdles ahead of them. Sarah's House not only offers temporary housing, but also aids in job search and training, child care and sisterhood support. This past holiday season, Christiana Rotary provided Wal-Mart gift certificates to Sarah’s House so that 10 women could buy gifts for their children. These gift certificates empowered the women to provide for their children, something battered women usually are unable to do. In addition, Club members regularly provide household goods and clothing for the shelter's emergency closet. Sarah’s House is sponsored by CHILD, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides services to victims of domestic violence, abused, neglected, and dependent children, and their families. For further information, go to www.childinc.com or call 302-762-8989.