Rotary Club of Frederick County (Virginia, USA), Winchester, VA (2026)

06/16/2026

Rotary Club of Frederick County – June 16, 2026

This morning, our club enjoyed an inspiring and insightful presentation from fellow Rotarian Jay Perry, who reflected on his remarkable 26-year career with the Virginia State Police and shared lessons learned through a lifetime of public service.

A lifelong Frederick County resident, Jay took us on a journey from his early days as a Toyota Master Technician to his decision to leave a successful career and answer the call to serve as a Virginia State Trooper. Along the way, he served in patrol operations, undercover narcotics investigations, tactical response teams, and leadership positions overseeing complex criminal investigations across 13 counties.

Jay shared candid stories from the front lines of law enforcement, including his work addressing the he**in, Oxycontin, and fentanyl crises, helping establish regional substance abuse coalitions and drug courts, and supporting efforts that improved the quality of life throughout our community.

Perhaps most impactful were his reflections on the human side of policing. He emphasized the importance of communication, emotional intelligence, mentorship, and de-escalation, noting that in 26 years of service he has never had to use force - - a testament to the power of treating people with dignity and respect.

We also welcomed our guest, Katie Schwadron, who joined us to learn more about our Rotary club, and to celebrate the spirit of service that defines our club.

In addition to Jay’s presentation, members discussed upcoming volunteer opportunities, including service at the Jubilee Kitchen on July 18th, shared community updates, and celebrated birthdays, milestones, recoveries, and family accomplishments through our always-entertaining “Happy Dollars.”

🎂 Special birthday wishes went to Corrine Barbour and Natalie Miller, who were honored with our unforgettable Rotary rendition of “Happy Birthday”!

📅 Mark Your Calendars:
• June 30 – “Passing the Gavel” and 5th Tuesday Breakfast Celebration as President Tammy Stevenson passes leadership to incoming President Frank Murphy.
• July 14 – Meet our scholarship recipients and welcome our new District Governor Charlotte Whitted at the Rotary Pavilion in Sherando Park.
• July 28 – Join us for our festive “Christmas in July” meeting at the Rotary Pavilion, featuring a proposed “Chain of Checks” micro-project fundraiser.

Today’s meeting reminded us that service takes many forms - - whether through law enforcement, volunteerism, mentorship, or community leadership. We are very grateful to Jay Perry for sharing his experiences and inspiring us to continue living Rotary’s motto: Service Above Self.

06/11/2026

We had an inspiring Rotary program featuring Andrea Cosans with CCAP of Wi******er ,Chris Brigante with Family Promise Wi******er Area, and Amanda McCarthy (Horizon Goodwill) sharing about an exciting new collaboration to support families in our community.
Together, these organizations are working on CCAP’s new Self-Sufficiency Initiative, made possible by a $112,000 grant. The goal is to help individuals and families move beyond crisis services and toward long-term independence through financial support, mentoring, and community connections. They hope to serve about 50 participants each year. The partnership is called THRIVE.

This initiative will also include financial literacy courses provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with opportunities for community members to get involved as mentors and sources of positive support.

The need is significant:
CCAP is currently serving 575 clients experiencing unstable housing
539 students in our area were identified as homeless last school year
Family Promise has seen referrals double in recent months, yet they can only serve about 30% of those in need
As Amanda shared, not everyone has a built-in support system—but our community can step in to fill that gap and help break the cycle.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, consider getting involved in supporting this initiative and the incredible work these organizations are doing.

06/04/2026

🎉 Growth, Service, and Celebration at Frederick County Rotary! 🎉

Our June 2nd morning meeting was filled with excitement as we welcomed two new members into the Rotary Club of Frederick County family!

Please join us in congratulating Corine Fox and Corrine Barbour, who were officially inducted as Rotarians. Both bring impressive professional experience, a passion for service, and a desire to make a difference in our community. During the induction ceremony, members recited Rotary’s Four-Way Test and celebrated the values of service, integrity, goodwill, and peace that unite Rotarians around the world.

We also recognized several outstanding individuals with Paul Harris Fellow honors:
🏅 Brittany Carper – named a Paul Harris Fellow for her significant contributions to Youth and Club collaboration, especially in her role as Sherando High School Interact liaison.
🏅 Rotarian Rosalie Perry – received her Paul Harris Fellow +2 recognition.
🏅 Rotarian Carole Fox – received her Paul Harris Fellow +3 recognition.
“Paul Harris Fellow Awards” honor exceptional service to the club and the broader community.

The club continues to grow and thrive, reaching 47 members, with membership having roughly doubled over the past few years. This remarkable growth reflects the welcoming spirit and commitment to service that define our club.

Members received updates on several exciting projects and upcoming events, including:
- Governor Visit: Rotary District Governor Charlotte Whitted will visit Area 1 Rotary Clubs during the week of July 13th; she also is interested in playing pickleball with members during her visit.
- The Dictionary Project grant application to provide dictionaries to more than 1,300 local 3rd grade students.
- Continued scholarship fundraising through Celebration Dollars.
- Community service opportunities, including a wood-cutting project in Cross Junction.
- “Christmas in July” celebration planned for our July 28 meeting.
- Our annual Pass the Gavel Breakfast on June 30 as we celebrate another successful Rotary year and welcome new club leadership!

As always, members shared personal milestones, family celebrations, travel adventures, and stories of community impact, reminding us that Rotary is built on fellowship as much as service.

Thank you to everyone who attended, welcomed our newest members, and who continue to strengthen our mission of Service Above Self. Together, we are making a difference in Frederick County and beyond!

05/28/2026

Had a great Rotary meeting on Tuesday!
We started by recognizing a couple more members with Paul Harris Fellow awards — always a special moment to celebrate service above self. Congrats to Erika and Charles!

Our speaker was fellow Rotarian Lisa Shifflett, a proud mom and grandma (with grandbaby number 8 arriving any day now!). She shared her journey in banking, starting back in 1990 when everything was done on paper or with calculators, and how the industry has evolved over the years. Today, she loves the small-town feel and relationships she’s built at the Bank of Clarke. Most important to her is family — and you’ll often find them traveling together to favorite spots like Oak Island and Swallow Falls.

And then… the big excitement of the day — after many, many, MANY draws, we finally had a Queen of Hearts winner… Karis Frey!
Yes… the same Karis who was helping sell and pull the tickets. 😄
Definitely the truth. Definitely beneficial. Definitely fair to all concerned. And definitely building good will and better friendships!
Another great morning with an even better group of people.
🩵💛

05/20/2026

🇺🇸 Frederick County Rotary Club - - May 19, 2026 Meeting Recap 🇺🇸

This week, our Frederick County Rotary Club gathered for a meaningful meeting centered on service, sacrifice, and supporting those who have given so much for our nation.

We were honored to welcome 2 representatives from Freedom Alliance - - Dawn Brown, the Scholarship Fund Administrator for Freedom Alliance, and Ja’Niayah Ellis, the 2026 Scholarship Fund Scholarship Student Ambassador. Their presentation highlighted the life-changing work being done to support post-9/11 combat-wounded veterans, Gold Star families, and children of fallen service members.

We heard inspiring stories of veterans regaining independence through all-terrain wheelchairs, families receiving mortgage-free homes and vehicles, and healing experiences created through retreats and outdoor programs that foster connection and hope.

Ja’Niayah shared her deeply personal journey as the daughter of Army Staff Sergeant James D. Ellis, who was killed in Iraq in 2006. Her story of resilience, perseverance, and gratitude demonstrated how Freedom Alliance provides not only financial assistance, but also a lasting community of encouragement and support.

We also celebrated outstanding local High School students receiving scholarships for their commitment to service and leadership. Their stories reminded us that service often begins with simple acts of kindness and grows into lifelong impact.

Additional club updates included:
⭐ Over $3,000 donated to support foster families through the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum program
⭐ More than $5,500 in scholarships awarded to local students
⭐ Upcoming opportunities to honor veterans through Memorial Day activities, Healing Field of Honor, and Honor Flight initiatives

As we approach Memorial Day, we were reminded of the distinction between honoring all who have served and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Our meeting concluded with gratitude for our guests and a reminder of the responsibility that comes with freedom and service.

05/16/2026

The Frederick County Rotary Club gathered on Tuesday morning for another “full house” meeting filled with fellowship, celebration, service, and recognition of the incredible generosity that continues to strengthen our club and community.

We shared updates on upcoming Board and Area 1 meetings, celebrated the tremendous work of our Scholarship Committee, and recognized the impact of local service projects and community partnerships throughout Frederick County. This year’s scholarship process was especially competitive, with a record number of applications received, and we are proud to award additional scholarships to deserving students at both Millbrook and Sherando High Schools.

Our main event of the meeting focused on the history and impact of the Rotary Foundation and the Paul Harris Fellow recognition program. We honored members whose generosity and commitment to “Service Above Self” have made a lasting difference both locally and globally.

Congratulations to our Paul Harris Fellow honorees:
🔹 Liv Heggoy (+1)
🔹 Greg Demski (+2)
🔹 Becky Demski (+2)
🔹 Rosalie Perry (+2)
🔹 Frank Murphy (+2)
🔹 Charles Daniels (+3)
🔹 Erika de Azagra (+3)
🔹 Carole Fox (+3)
🔹 Tammy Stevenson (+3)
🔹 Mike Perry (+5)
🔹 Natalie Miller (+6)

Special recognition was also given to John Clawson and Bill North as Major Donors for their extraordinary support of the Rotary Foundation.

Through Rotary Foundation giving, our club continues supporting life-changing efforts including polio eradication, district grants, scholarships, and support to local organizations such as CCAP, Rescue Mission, WATTS, and Love to Nic. We are proud to remain a 100% Sustainer Club.

Our club also celebrated the success of the recent CAST for Kids Foundation fishing event in partnership with NW Works, where adults with disabilities enjoyed a memorable day on the water filled with smiles, laughter, and friendship. Members also shared updates on graduations, new grandchildren, anniversaries, travels, and personal milestones - - reminders of the strong friendships that make Rotary so special.

Most importantly, the meeting reflected the heart of Rotary - - members supporting one another through celebrations and challenges alike, while continuing to grow our impact throughout the community.

As Rotary founder Paul Harris once said:
“Let us keep our hearts strong, enthusiasm fresh, hope high. As long as we keep imbued with this spirit, Rotary can never die.”

05/05/2026

🌍✨ Frederick County Rotary Club – Tuesday Morning Meeting Recap ✨🌍

This week’s meeting was a perfect blend of inspiration, celebration, and Rotary fellowship at its finest!

We were delighted to welcome Rotary Youth Exchange student, Fenna Noelle Sanders, all the way from the Netherlands. 🇳🇱 At just 17, Fenna shared an engaging and heartfelt presentation about her experience in the United States - - describing it as “a lifetime in a year.” From attending football games and prom to traveling the East Coast and participating in RYLA at Virginia Tech, Fenna has embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and connect.

Her reflections on cultural differences - - from biking everywhere in the Netherlands to experiencing classic American high school traditions - - gave us all a fresh perspective on the world around us. Fenna’s poise, enthusiasm, and global outlook are exactly what Rotary Youth Exchange is all about, and we are grateful to be part of her journey.

👏 A special thank you to her host mom, Kristen Pence, for supporting this life-changing experience!
⸻
🎉 Celebrations & Club Highlights 🎉

It wouldn’t be a Rotary meeting without celebrating life’s big (and fun!) moments:

• We shared joyful updates, including Rotarian Morgan and Caroline’s proud arrival of baby Georgia Walls!
• We’re excited for upcoming events, including our Board Meeting on May 12 and the “passing of the gavel” on June 30, and the WATTS Caring and Sharing Night at Greenwood Fire Hall on August 15.
• Scholarship season is in full swing, with an impressive number of student applications under review.
• Don’t forget to support CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust), and consider donating at this Friday’s blood drive at the Youth Development Center (MyYDC.org)!
⸻
🎂 And then… there was Barb’s birthday! 🎂

No Rotary morning is complete without a little personality - - and this week, we outdid ourselves. Barb Rawlings was treated to our club’s “unique” rendition of the Happy Birthday song … complete with festive flair and plenty of laughter. Let’s just say it was less “choir performance” and more “Rotary entertainment” - - and absolutely perfect. 😄

Happy Birthday, Barb! We’re glad you’re part of the fun.

04/22/2026

The Frederick County Rotary Club gathered this Tuesday with a powerful mix of purpose, perspective, and heart.

We were honored to welcome District CART Chair Milton Carter, who shared an inspiring and deeply personal look at the Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust (CART) and the urgent fight against Alzheimer’s disease. With over 7 million Americans affected and no known cure, the need for research has never been greater - - and CART is stepping up in a big way, distributing millions in research grants with 100% of donations going directly to the cause. Milton’s personal story of his High School Math teacher’s battle reminded us all why this mission matters so much.

Our packed room was filled with reflection as several members shared personal experiences with Alzheimer’s and dementia - - powerful reminders that this disease touches so many lives. From the emotional toll on families to the hope found in emerging research like early detection through retina scans, the conversation struck both a sobering and hopeful tone. We also heard about innovative programs using music therapy to reconnect with patients, a moving example of compassion in action, and the promising research results that have benefited from CART seed money, including development of a retina scan that can detect the cell that is causing Alzheimer’s.

Beyond the program, the club stayed busy with updates and initiatives. Scholarship applications are on the rise - - especially among students pursuing nursing and the trades - - highlighting both opportunity and need. Plans are underway for strong representation at the District Conference, where we’ll also support Open Doors Shelter & Support with travel-sized toiletry donations. And yes - - the CART “blue bucket” is making its return, giving all of us a simple way to contribute at each meeting.

As always, our traditions grounded us. “Happy Dollars” took on special meaning this week, honoring loved ones and supporting important causes. We also took time to lift up members facing health challenges, a reminder that Rotary is as much about caring for each other as it is about serving others.

We closed with gratitude, renewed commitment, and a shared sense of purpose. In the words of Paul Harris, “Action is the measure of intelligence” - - and this club is ready to act.

💙 Together, we can make a difference - - one coin, one act of service, one life at a time.

04/19/2026

Members of the Frederick County Rotary Club were proud to volunteer this past Saturday in support of the First Presbyterian Church’s Jubilee Kitchen!

Together, our dedicated volunteers served a warm and welcoming lunch to 40 guests. But it was more than just a meal — it was an opportunity to share compassion, offer understanding, and build meaningful connections within our community.

We’re grateful for the chance to serve and make a positive impact, one meal at a time. 💙

Rotary Club of Frederick County (Virginia, USA)

06/16/2026

06/11/2026

06/04/2026

05/28/2026

05/20/2026

05/16/2026

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