FishHawk-Riverview Rotary

26/10/2026

☀️ Mornomoment

At last week’s FishHawk-Riverview Rotary meeting, we were reminded that behind every great humanitarian mission are personal stories that inspire us to make a difference.

In recognition of World Polio Day, our fellow Rotarian Gerry Gutenstein, a dedicated advocate for polio awareness, shared a powerful presentation on the history of polio, the development of vaccines, and Rotary’s decades-long commitment to eradicating this devastating disease.

For Gerry, this mission is deeply personal. His aunt, Elaine Strauss, contracted polio in 1945 and spent the remainder of her life using a wheelchair. Despite the challenges she faced, Elaine became an inspiration to others, sharing her remarkable resilience through her book, In My Heart I’m Still Dancing.

In a particularly touching moment, fellow Rotarian Ed Odom presented Gerry with an autographed copy of his aunt’s book, bringing a meaningful conclusion to an unforgettable presentation.

Gerry’s dedication to keeping this story alive reminds us why awareness, education, and advocacy remain so important.

Since Rotary began its polio eradication efforts in 1979, global polio cases have declined by 99.9%. Yet our work is not finished. Through Rotary’s PolioPlus initiative, we continue working toward a world where no child has to suffer from this preventable disease.

🎉We also celebrated Cameron DeMarie, who proudly had the red ribbon removed from his Rotary badge after completing his new-member requirements. Congratulations, Cameron, on this wonderful milestone!

💕Today’s Morno Moment is really about how Service becomes even more powerful when we turn personal experiences into hope for others. Every story shared, every act of kindness, and every effort to raise awareness brings us closer to a better world.

Together, we can .❤️

21/10/2026

We’re proud to support the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, open 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year by calling 211 so no one has to face crisis alone.

We encourage everyone to learn more about the vital services the Crisis Center provides and how your support of the FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club Foundation works to alleviate illiteracy, hunger, poverty, and disease locally and abroad.

We hope you’ll join us for the 42nd Annual Alafia Lighted Boat Parade or one of our weekly meetings to learn more!

Crisis Center website: https://www.crisiscenter.com
FishHawk-Riverview Rotary website: https://www.fishhawkriverviewrotary.org

Together, we can . 💛💙

Learn more. Get involved. Make a difference!

Thank you FishHawk-Riverview Rotary for their financial support of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and for inviting us to be one of the featured non-profits on Charity Lane at the 42nd Annual Alafia Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, December 5th!

19/10/2026

☀️ Mornomoment

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Last Thursday, four young students stood before our club to share their experiences and ideas on “Creating Lasting Impact.” It takes courage to speak in front of an audience, especially when you’re sharing something personal. All four rose to the occasion and made the judges’ decision a difficult one!

Hope grows when we choose to act on it. For these students, that meant preparing a speech, finding their voice, and having the courage to be heard. We’re proud to support them as they take those steps.

Please join us in celebrating:

🥇 Srihita Remella — First Place
🥈 Kaushal Bhat — Second Place
🥉 Tanishka Chintapelli — Third Place
🌟 Avanthika Kondam — Honorable Mention

Srihita will move on to the group contest on November 12 at O’Brien’s during our after-hours meeting. We’ll be cheering her on!

A warm thank you to Kathy Cook for leading the contest; our judges, Gerry Gutenstein, Tonya Nichols, Gary Raytar, and Mary Ware; and Joe Nichols for keeping time. Thank you to the parents and Rotarians who came to encourage these young speakers.

To all four students: your words matter, and we’re so glad you shared them with us. Keep speaking up, keep dreaming, and know that your Rotary community is behind you. ❤️

12/10/2026

☀️Mornomoment

The past couple of weeks at FishHawk-Riverview Rotary have given us plenty to learn and plenty to smile about.

Kayla Cox from The Florida Aquarium shared a fascinating look at coral nurseries, sea turtle rehabilitation, and the Tampa and Manatee Viewing Center locations. Questions kept coming, laughter filled the room, and beautiful club members Holly and Kim even took home prizes for their answers!

We also welcomed Kitty Cunningham, who shared the value of working with a travel advisor. Then our amazing club members Susan and Bruno brought some fun to our Big Game raffle, which supports our Foundation. Susan, dressed as a cheerleader, led a spirited “ROTARY!” cheer and we also celebrated the most giving and beautiful club member, Kathy Cook’s birthday with a song from the club. 🎂

There’s something lovely about these simple moments: learning something new, laughing together, and making sure someone feels celebrated. They remind us that community grows through the time and care we give each other.

Thank you to our speakers, members, and guests for bringing so much life to our meetings.
May we carry a little of that Rotary spirit into the week ahead and stay curious, make someone smile, and find a small way to be of service.

08/10/2026

☀️ Mornomoment

My dear Rotary family,

I joined Rotary hoping to make a difference. I never imagined how much it would change my life.

When I joined, I had just come out of a difficult marriage and was carrying the heartbreak of seeing my children drift away. Living far from my family, I was trying to find my feet again. There were days when I felt terribly alone.

And then you welcomed me.

Every single one of you showed me genuine kindness and care. You made me feel wanted, valued, and loved. A warm greeting, a conversation, someone remembering to ask how I was, things that may have felt small to you meant so much to me. I began to look forward to seeing you, knowing I had a place where I belonged.

When another family emergency took me out of state, your love followed me. The calls and messages still come: “How are you?” “Do you need anything?” “We’re praying for you.” Even from miles away, you continue to make me feel cared for and remembered.

You may not realize how often your messages have arrived exactly when I needed them, or how much comfort they have brought me on difficult days.

I joined Rotary to serve my community, and along the way, you became my family.

To every member of my FishHawk-Riverview Rotary family: thank you for opening your hearts to me. You helped me find my smile again, and I will always be grateful for your love.

I truly miss each and every one of you. I cannot wait to come back, see your familiar faces, and give you all the biggest hugs.

With so much love and gratitude,❤️❤️🙏🌹
Mona

29/09/2026

☀️ Mornomoment

Behind every great family is a lovely woman who has devoted so much of her life to caring for the people she loves.

At our last week FishHawk–Riverview Rotary weekly meeting, Barbara Howard shared a glimpse of her journey: growing up, raising five children, and learning to juggle all the demands that come with a full and busy life. As she spoke, it was easy to see how much of herself she has poured into the people around her.

What touched many of us most was the way that devotion kept growing. After giving so much of her heart to her family, Barbara chose to share that same heart with her community. She brings her time, her energy, and her kindness to Rotary, showing up again and again because she cares.

Barbara’s ability to give is contagious. When you see someone offer so much of herself so freely, it makes you want to do the same. She reminds us that service begins with a caring heart and grows each time we share it with someone else.

Barbara, you are one of the most devoted Rotarians anyone could hope to meet. Thank you for letting us hear your story, for all the ways you care for others, and for inspiring us to give a little more of
ourselves. ❤️🌹

22/09/2026

☀️ MornoMoment

One of life’s purest joys is gaining knowledge and then using that knowledge to enlighten, support, and serve others.

Last week at our Rotary Club meeting, we celebrated service, learning, and fellowship.

Our beautiful member, Susan Hill was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow +2 an inspiring reflection of her continued generosity and dedication to Rotary’s mission.

We also welcomed Jill Andrew, a certified Alzheimer’s caregiver, who shared an informative presentation about recognizing the signs of early- and mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease. We learned how early diagnosis can open the door to treatments that may slow the progression of the disease and help individuals maintain their independence longer.

With 34 people in attendance including many wonderful guests, the room was filled with thoughtful conversation, meaningful connections, and plenty of laughter.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a memorable FishHawk-Riverview Rotary meeting!

14/09/2026

☀️ Mornomoment

“Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.” Oprah Winfrey

Today’s Morning Moment is a little different. It is about how Rotary can truly change lives, and I know this not only as a Rotarian, but through my own personal journey.

At a time when I wasn’t sure I could move forward or begin again, Rotary gave me something I thought I had lost: the almost magical ability to believe in myself again. It reminded me that learning, growing, and discovering a new purpose do not belong only to a certain age or stage of life. Sometimes, one opportunity and one community that believes in you awaken a part of you that you thought was gone.

That is why September’s Basic Education and Literacy Month feels so personal to me. Literacy is not only about learning to read and write. It is about giving people the tools, confidence, and freedom to imagine a different future for themselves. My own experience has shown me how powerful it can be when someone is given the chance to grow and is surrounded by people who encourage them to believe that they still can.

Science tells us that the brain can continue forming new connections throughout life. This ability, known as neuroplasticity, means that it is never too late to learn to read, speak a new language, use technology, earn a diploma, begin a new career, or simply rediscover who you are.

Behind every adult learner is a deeply human story: a parent who wants to read to a child, a newcomer trying to find their voice, or someone gathering the courage to begin again after years of believing it was too late.

When Rotary helps remove a barrier to education, we do more than teach a skill. We restore confidence, strengthen independence, and remind someone that their future is still being written.

Who in our community is waiting for that one open door—and how can we help them walk through it?

Because sometimes, the most powerful thing we can give another person is the chance to believe in themselves again. Rotary gave that gift to me, and together, we can give it to someone else. ❤️🌹

09/09/2026

☀️ MornoMoment

If you had 5–7 minutes to create lasting impact, what would you say?

The FishHawk–Riverview Rotary Club is inviting high school students to take the stage, speak with purpose, and turn their ideas into impact.

This isn’t just a speech—it’s your opportunity to be heard, inspire others, and show what one powerful voice can do.

🏆 Prizes up to $1,000
📅 Register by October 10, 2026
🎙️ Club Contest: October 15, 2026

The microphone is waiting. Are you ready to take it?

For more details and to sign up, visit https://www.fishhawkriverviewrotary.org/?p=stories&storyid=282242