Rotary

“A hand up, not a hand out.”

Over the last few years, the Columbia Town Center Rotary Club has taken a special interest in a program nearby that provides young men with a second chance at life.

Rotary International (RI) has clubs in more than 200 countries, with more than 1.2 million members. It was first founded in 1905, and within 16 years, it had clubs on six continents.

Annapolis Evening Rotary Club President: Reena M. Parangot Meets: Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Union Jack’s 2072 Somerville Rd., Annapolis Contact: belait67@msn.com www.meetup.com/AnnapolisEveningRotaryClub BWI Rotary Club President: Peter Notari Meets: Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Embassy...

I believe Rotary membership is about to dramatically increase in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, and across the rest of Rotary District 7620 in Maryland, the United States and around the world.

Sandra Bullock, in the movie “Miss Congeniality,” was playing with her comment about “world peace,” but Rotarians are serious about the topic. Rotary International supports the concept that the foundation of success is in mutual cultural understanding and consideration for each person’s humanity.

In September, Bruno Reich, president of the Ellicott City Rotary club, and Jean-Robert Anantua, president of the Build Haiti Foundation (BHF), traveled together to view potential sites that are being considered for an athletic field in rural Haiti.

Rotary transforms charitable gifts into projects that change lives, both close to home and around the world.

The Robert Davidson Scholar Athlete Awards program, sponsored by the Columbia Rotary club, is entering its 30th year. Since its inception, the program has rewarded student athletes in Howard County who have managed to excel both on the field and in the classroom.

What can you do with that stack of books on the bedside table before they fall over and bury you?