Downtown Suffolk Rotary Club

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Suffolk, VA
Downtown Suffolk Rotary Club

We are neighbors, friends, and community leaders coming together to create positive, lasting change.

06/10/2026

As we continue celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary, we’re excited to welcome club favorite Kermit Hobbs as our guest speaker this Thursday and again on June 18.

A Suffolk native, Virginia Tech graduate, former Amadas Industries executive, and current historian for the Suffolk Nansemond Historical Society, Kermit will share insights into our community’s rich history as we honor our nation’s 250-year legacy.

**Reminder:** Our Quad Cities Celebration will be held on June 25 at 6:00 PM at the Elks Lodge with Rotarians from Downtown Suffolk, North Suffolk, Franklin, and Smithfield. Tickets are $65, and reservations are due by June 17.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!

05/21/2026

Join us today at 1:00 PM as the Downtown Suffolk Rotary Club welcomes Suffolk City Council Member Shelley S. Butler Barlow, representing the Chuckatuck Borough.

A lifelong Suffolk resident, farmer at Cotton Plains Farm, and dedicated community leader, Council Member Butler Barlow will share her perspective on the State of Agriculture in Suffolk through the lens of both a farmer and City Council member.

Bring your questions. Shelley hopes to make this an engaging, discussion-driven presentation. We look forward to another informative program!

05/13/2026

Join us tomorrow to recognize the winners of our 2026 Community Service scholarships! The recipients will be sharing details about their community service and the benefits of the scholarship.

Nominations are being accepted online for Suffolk First Citizen. Nominate a worthy individual today! www.suffolkfirstcitizen.com

Thank you to Lindsay Richardson and the team at the Suffolk News Herald for the continuing publicity for the event!

Tickets will be available starting June 1. Keep an eye out for our early-bird pricing!

As always, please direct any cares and concerns to Lydia at [email protected].

04/30/2026

Join us today at 1 PM for an inside look at what’s ahead for Suffolk.
We’re proud to welcome our Mayor and fellow Rotarian, Mike Duman, as he presents the proposed operating and capital budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
This is a great opportunity to hear firsthand how key decisions are shaping the future of our city.
Don’t miss this timely and informative discussion!

04/27/2026

Nominations will be open soon!

The Suffolk First Citizen Award is the city’s most prestigious civic honor, presented annually to an individual whose leadership, service, and commitment to community have made a lasting impact on the lives of others. Since its founding in 1956, the award has recognized residents who exemplify the highest ideals of citizenship and who work to make Suffolk a stronger, more compassionate place to live.

The Suffolk First Citizen Award not only celebrates individual achievement but also serves as a reminder of the power of service, the importance of community leadership, and the enduring legacy of those who give generously of their time and talents. The annual Suffolk First Citizen ceremony brings together residents, leaders, and supporters to honor the recipient and to inspire others to lead with purpose and serve with heart.

Read more about the 2025 nominee here:
https://www.suffolkfirstcitizen.com/joyce-trump

04/16/2026

Join us this Thursday at 1 PM as we welcome Melissa, Founder and Executive Director of Firm Foundation.

Melissa is dedicated to rebuilding the lives of homeless mothers and their children, inspired by nearly 30 years of service to families in need. Through her work, she recognized the critical need for transitional housing, which led her to create Firm Foundation.

We look forward to an inspiring program.

03/11/2026

Join us at our upcoming Downtown Suffolk Rotary Club meeting as we welcome local small business owner Tina Ball as our featured speaker.

Tina began making candles in her kitchen in 2020, and what started as a creative outlet quickly grew into a thriving business. After selling out her first batch in just 30 minutes at a local shop, she spent the next two years building her brand through markets and festivals before opening her first retail location in 2023. Following her family’s move to Suffolk in 2024, she opened a new storefront right here in Downtown.

A passionate advocate for supporting local businesses, Tina looks forward to sharing her entrepreneurial journey and highlighting the importance of strengthening our Downtown small business community.

02/25/2026

This week, we are pleased to welcome Erin Erdos, Director of Clinical Operations at the Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute, as our guest speaker. Erin brings more than 15 years of experience in radiation therapy and proton cancer treatment, with a strong focus on clinical operations, team leadership, and improving patient care outcomes.

A reminder that we are continuing to collect monetary donations, as well as new undergarments and socks, for the City’s Shelter through the end of the month.

This week’s prayer will be given by Mike Duman, with Kimberly Ellis as backup.

Please send any cares or concerns to Lydia at [email protected]

02/12/2026

We’re looking forward to a special presentation at this week’s meeting, “A Brief History of Birdsong Peanuts and Peanuts 101,” presented by our very own Everett Birdsong.

Everett’s connection to Birdsong Peanuts spans nearly 42 years. Fresh out of college, he began his career with the company and now serves as Vice President of MIS, as well as an Officer and Director. Beyond Birdsong, Everett gives generously of his time to our community, serving as Treasurer of Main Street United Methodist Church, on the Corporate Board of the YMCA, and on the Board of Trustees at Randolph-Macon College. He is also a Past President of the Suffolk Rotary Club (2008–2009).

With both excitement and a bit of trepidation, Everett has announced that he will be retiring on June 30, 2026, and beginning a new chapter. We are honored to hear his story and celebrate his legacy.

Reminder: Please help support our February Panty Raid by donating new undergarments and socks, which will be donated to the City’s new shelter. Monetary donations are also welcome. A sign-up sheet will be available at Thursday’s meeting.

This week’s prayer will be led by Ken DeLoach, with Susan Draper as backup.

As always, please send any cares or concerns to Lydia at
📧 [email protected]

01/28/2026

Please join us this Thursday at 1 PM for the Downtown Suffolk Rotary Club meeting as we welcome Linda Dyer, Director of Engagement for The Muse Writers Center, presenting on “Creating a Culture of Philanthropy.”

A Norfolk native, Linda is a longtime arts educator, professional musician, and accomplished nonprofit development leader. Over her career, she has helped raise more than $19 million for organizations including The Hurrah Players, The Governor’s School for the Arts, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and the American Cancer Society. She also serves on several nonprofit boards throughout the region.

This week’s prayer will be led by Beth Cross, with Harry Cross as backup.

Address

329 W Constance Road
Suffolk, VA
23434

Opening Hours

12pm - 2pm

Website

https://www.suffolkrotary.com/

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