Stories

The Rotary Club of Blue Bell conducted its annual Four Way Test Speech Contest at Wissahickon High School on March 17, 2015.  The contest challenges students to prepare a speech on some issue of importance to them and to use the Rotary Four Way Test to analyze the issue.  All seven contestants were well prepared and demonstrated both an understanding of the Four Way Test and the analytical skill to apply the test to their chosen issue.

For pictures, click here

For Dr. Andrew Johanson, charity begins at home, extends through the community and reaches out as far as Columbia and the Philippines.

Johanson is a licensed family and marriage therapist who has lived in Ambler for about 12 years. He has a private practice during the day, with offices in Lansdale and Bethlehem, and he dedicates much of his free time to the Rotary Club of Blue Bell, an organization that supports both local efforts and global causes.

For more read here

Community members in Blue Bell chowed down for breakfast to helps support first responders Sunday.

The Blue Bell Rotary Club held its third annual pancake breakfast at the Manor House at Prophecy Creek Park April 27 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. The event featured a special visit from the Phillie Phanatic and Elmo from Sesame Street. Proceeds from the event benefitted the Second Alarmers Rescue Squad.

It was all laughter and smiles as the lovable, green Phillies mascot paraded into the building, causing harmless mischief and posing for pictures wherever he walked. In between the eggs, sausage, pancakes and coffee, those in attendance followed the Phanatic to see just what he’d do next. Later Elmo danced and waived to the many smiling children who greeted him.

see more at: http://www.timesherald.com/general-news/20140427/rotary-holds-fundraiser-for-second-alarmers 

Community members in Blue Bell chowed down for breakfast to help support first responders Sunday.

The Blue Bell Rotary Club held its third annual pancake breakfast at the Manor House at Prophecy Creek Park April 27 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. The event featured a special visit from the Phillie Phanatic and Elmo from Sesame Street. Proceeds from the event benefitted the Second Alarmers Rescue Squad.

It was all laughter and smiles as the lovable, green Phillies mascot paraded into the building, causing harmless mischief and posing for pictures wherever he walked. In between the eggs, sausage, pancakes and coffee, those in attendance followed the Phanatic to see just what he’d do next.  Later Elmo danced and waived to the many smiling children who greeted him.

see more at: http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2014/04/27/ambler_gazette/news/doc535d6b53446c8428024399.txt 

It all started with a conversation at the San Diego Zoo nine years ago. Through curiosity, and his son’s study of pediatric medicine, Ron Smith became involved in a much larger cause. Smith, founder of Lansdale’s S-Bond Technologies, met Tusu Tusubira in San Diego at a conference in 2005 training Rotary leaders from around the world. “He had this great smile and was extremely welcoming,” Smith said.

While visiting the San Diego Zoo and observing an African exhibit, Smith asked Tusu what it was like viewing an African exhibit that was meant to represent his own country and continent. From there a friendship blossomed. Smith, a member of the Blue Bell Rotary Club, then commenced a relationship between his home Rotary and Tusu’s club in Uganda - Kampala North.

Click here for more information

Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, the Rotary Club of Blue Bell, and Montgomery County Community College will continue their long tradition of promoting healthy living when they host the 14^th annual Montgomery County Wellness Expo on Saturday, March 22, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. 

The free event takes place in the Physical Education Center at Montgomery County Community College, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA (use Cathcart Road entrance), and includes health screenings, educational information, wellness activities and giveaways.  

For more information, click here

http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2013/12/21/ambler_gazette/news/doc52b355c97ece3725382830.txt 

Blue Bell Rotary members visited the Ambler Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard as part of our club’s focus on food initiatives.  We were warmly welcomed and given a short tour to see the food pantry, clothing boutique and education rooms by which the Community Cupboard serves about 400 families.  Food is delivered to elderly clients and the food “store” is open twice a week for families to come in to choose food and supplies they most need.  The Community Cupboard also provides education and basic nursing care.  The Blue Bell Rotary Club provided its support to Mattie Dixon in the amount of $2000 with a check presented to Executive Director Christine Bouley by BBRC members Rusty Beardsley, Bruce Dearnley and Jon Lundy.

Gwynedd Valley volunteer and Blue Bell Rotarian, Allan Syphers, has been recognized by international disaster relief organization, ShelterBox, for reaching a major fundraising milestone this year. Since joining the organization as a volunteer fund raiser in 2009, Syphers has raised more than $100,000 for disaster survivors worldwide.

Read all about it here

If you love to golf and want to support a great cause, be sure not to miss the Blue Bell Rotary Club’s annual Mission Kids golf outing on Monday, Sept. 16. The event will be held at the Blue Bell Country Club in Blue Bell. Read Story

Philabundance shares these statistics on hunger:

The Delaware Valley is one of the hardest hit areas nationwide, with our children paying the price:

• About 27% percent of Philadelphians live below the poverty line
• Our agencies have seen a 26% increase in need over the past year compared to a 22% increase from the year before.
• One in every three children live in poverty
• Each year, more than 900,000 individuals are at risk of food insecurity in the Delaware Valley

- See more at: http://www.philabundance.org/resources/realities-of-hunger/#sthash.x35WKPZW.dpuf

 Blue Bell Rotary supports Philabundance to address local hunger here in the Montgomery County local area.

Sally Hurwitz has helped turn her passion for helping others into a thriving not-for-profit organization in Ambler.

The co-president of the after-school program for at-risk elementary schools students called Stars, Hurwitz and fellow Co-President Dee Coyle — next week’s Citizen of the Week — were recipients of the Blue Bell Rotary Club’s Citizens of the Year for their dedication to helping positively change the lives of area students.

Hurwitz said her involvement with the program comes from a desire to help others.

For more, click here

Read all about it.  Newtown Interact club raises 2k for Shelterbox

June 22 marked a new beginning for April and her family. She will be moving into the Habitat home. Please check out the pictures and view a portion of the program.

Read a portion of the Home Dedication program.

We are thrilled to present this scholarship to Mark. In honor of former Blue Bell Rotarian and community leader, Tom Cassidy, this award is presented to those who have excelled during their high school career.

The water well project for the Mukaa Community and Children's Home is underway.

St. Mary's Villla fence is completed...what a crew...

We have painted all of St Mary's Fences this Rotary year...

Another well done job for the community by the Blue Bell Rotary Club.

Yes indeed. With Elmo, Wissahickon Middle School support, and our friends and family, Whitpain township came together with Blue Bell Rotary on April 14, 2013  to support Second Alarmers and together we contributed $10k toward this great organization so they have a home here in Blue Bell. We are thrilled that three middle-school children donated their time and talent to record a video. Watch here what Claire has put together:

For the first time, Blue Bell Rotary hosted a 4Way Test Speech Contest. Kudos to Wissahickon High School for partnering with us for this wonderful oppotunity to strengthen students' public speaking skills while sharing Rotary's 4 Way Test. See how Wissahickon students demonstrate the value of Ethical Decision making principles in these videos (more are coming once we solve the technical challenge!)

Watch Andrew address the issues of cheating.

Watch Brendan address the issue of cun control.

Andrew came in first in our local club contest. He could not attend regionals, so Brendan attended. Brendan won and went straight to the finals.

Congrats to Andrew and Brendan for a job well done. Congrats to all who participated in our club contest:

Caroline Alberti, 10^th grade        Carolyn Chen, 10^th grade

Sanat Deshpande, 10^th grade     Andrew Ge, 10^th grade

Remi Ginsberg, 10^th grade         Brendan Hopkins, 12^th grade

Yes, it's true Prez Lisa was recognized for her accomplishments and inspiration this Rotary Year. District Governor Tony presented the award during the District Conference. We are a Small but Mighty club.

This past Saturday April 13th, Rotary District 7430 sponsored the 4 Way Test Speech Contest for high school students in each of its three regions. This is the third year that District 7430 held the competition and the SouthEast Regional Contest was held at Central Bucks South High School.

Are you excited for this year's Chefs of the Burbs Event? To whet your appetite please see this YouTube video teaser or watch the full length feature 

Around the world, when natural disasters strike or people are displaced by political upheaval or all-out war, Rotary International — a.k.a. the Rotary Club, the long-standing service and goodwill organization — distributes to those in greatest need a green plastic box that can literally mean the difference between life and death.

Read the recent OpEd article

http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2013/02/04/ambler_gazette/opinion/doc510889d83af09533186440.txt?viewmode=default 

On Tuesday, Jan 22, Rotary of Blue Bell announced its support for a home in Norristown. Rotary will be working along with Villanova University to finish the preparation before the lucky family moves in. Move in date is targeted for June.

We have launched our first work day and we're excited.

Stay tuned for more details on work days and watch the progress here. 

The Rotary Club of Blue Bell is pleased to announce the 13th Annual Montgomery County Wellness Expo, to be held on April 6, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. until Noon. This community service event is held at Montgomery County Community College’s Physical Education Center and is co-sponsored by Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, Montgomery County Community College, and the Blue Bell Rotary Club.

Special thanks to Teva Pharmaceuticals for supporting our participation and leadership in this year's event.

We are excited to announce that the 2nd Annual Rotary Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2013 from 8am to 11:30 am at the Manor House Prophecy Creek!  Mark your calendars.  All proceeds will again benefit Second Alarmers Rescue Squad to help fund the new Whitpain station.  SARS provides life saving emergency medical services not only to Blue Bell, but also to residents in Abington, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, Hatboro, Jenkintown, and Rockledge. We are proud to support this group of dedicated professionals.

For more information, contact Joanne Messerschmidt at 610-724-3935

Sponsored By:

Rotary of Blue Bell announces its launch today in support of our international literacy project to outfit the Mukaa Primary School in Kenya with tables, chairs and shelves. This project is one of several ongoing partnerships with Sustained Acts. Tom Tillett leads Sustained Acts, which has a focus of creating sustainable programs that have long-term positive impacts on the lives they reach. As a partner, Rotary is ensured that the funds are properly managed and the effort is completed. In the words of Bruce Dearnley, Blue Bell Rotarian and a member of the international committee that is spearheading this effort,” We have people in Kenya on a regular basis who will oversee the work and make sure it gets properly accomplished”.   

We look forward to posting pictures as they become available!

As reported in The Economist in the Dec 22 2012 print edition:

ON DECEMBER 18th five health workers, all women, were gunned down in Pakistan in carefully planned and co-ordinated shootings. They were administering polio vaccinations. The following day a vaccination supervisor and her driver were killed. Several health workers are critically injured. The youngest killed was a 17-year-old in the north-western town of Peshawar. Others were working in poor, ethnic Pushtun districts in the southern megacity of Karachi, where polio workers have already been killed this year. The Pakistani Taliban or allied groups are the murderers, and they have now caused the UN to suspend its campaign to eradicate polio in Pakistan. For more information, click here

You made this event a success AGAIN this year! As a result, we were able complete our $25k challenge for Habitat and strengthen our programs for local hunger, literacy and scholastic endeavors, local emergency response, plus international water, sanitation and emergency relief projects, and worldwide polio eradication.

Remember to thank our restaurants

Arpeggio + Blue Bell CC + Buonimissimo + Cafe Excellance + Dettera + Jos. Ambler Inn + L'Angolo Blue + Le Gourmet + Mina Cucina Rustica + MONTCO Community College + Pine Crest Country Club + P.J. Whelihan's + Saffron Indian Restaurant + Thai Orchid + Trader Joes +

To read more about the event, please read about it in the Ambler Gazette 

See our photo journal of Chefs  and  our guests

Thanks to our sponsor:

BBR's own Bruce Dearnley was honored for his work with ShelterBox USA, the Rotary-affiliated global disaster relief organization. Bruce exemplifies the Rotary motto of Service Above Self with cheerful enthusiasm. Read about Bruce's story in the Ambler Gazete and the Times Herald.

Times Herald 4 MAY 11

Ambler Gazette 17 April 11

“Your motto ‘service about self’ is one that many of us could use,” Corbett told the crowd. “It’s a direct motto and it’s very simple. Yet when you think about it it’s very profound. When you consider the impact that Rotary has had, that each of you has had, that’s a result of the service you give back to your community.”

Read more here

http://ambler.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/gov-corbett-guest-speaker-at-rotary-club-of-blue-bell-event-wednesday# 

Vocational Training Team (VTT) Heads to Uganda
Jan 24 – Feb 14

Maternal and Child Healthcare Education

The Blue Bell Rotary Club and District 7430 are leading a VTT in partnership with Drexel University in Philadelphia and Makerere University and the Kampala North Rotary Club in to improve the healthcare for mothers and children in Uganda.

Follow our Blog …..As we prepare and while we are “doing good in the world” in Uganda

Blue Bell Rotary President Rusty Beardsley likes to tease when he talks of the silent auction items being offered in the 2013 edition of Chefs of the Burbs.

“This year,” said Beardsley, “we are particularly excited to have some surprise items, like a glider ride, which will generate very active bidding.”

And if soaring above the earth in a hang glider doesn’t whet the appetite of adventurers out there, how about these live auction items? Read more here

http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2013/10/07/entertainment/doc524b25fa8a6f8781915060.txt?viewmode=default

Mark your calendars for March 12, 7pm for our local 4Way Speech Contest with WHS.

To prepare, check out this HIGH SCHOOL student, and winner of the 2011 4 Way Speech Contest. Divya Thomas received 1st Place in the 2011 Rotary District 6630 Four Way Speech Contest. She was sponsored by the Strongsville (Ohio) Rotary Club. Her topic was National Debt.

1- Is it the truth?

2- Is it fair to all concerned?

3- Does it build goodwill and better friendships?

4- Is it beneficial to all concerned?

Rotary International is recognized in the international "Economist" magazine for its' efforts against Polio. Interesting reading. ( Photo copyright "The Economist" )

View article A Rotary Engine