Anthem Rotary seeks help for holidays

STAFF REPORT~ 12/7/2011

The Rotary of Anthem announced late last month that Dave Newham will serve as president of the Club and Joann Greenstein will assume the role as president-elect, previously held by Newham.
The Anthem Rotary, currently 48 members, has served the communities of Anthem, New River and Desert Hills since 2003. The Club donates approximately $25,000 to $30,000 each year to a variety of projects which include: scholarships to area high school students; St. Mary’s Food Bank; students in a foreign exchange program; local theater and music organizations; Veterans organizations; Homeless Youth Connection project; and, the North Valley Posse, including assistance for cars, radios and a building fund. Local Rotarians also ensure every grade school student receives a free dictionary.
Additionally, members of the Anthem Rotary spearhead the leadership and operation of the Salvation Army, Anthem Unit. The Extension unit is a volunteer branch of The Salvation Army and supported by the Anthem Rotary Club and community. The Unit helps families in need with rent, utilities prescriptions, food and other basic needs.
Bell ringers are needed to take shifts in front of Walmart, Frys and Safeway in Anthem. The shifts begin the day before Thanksgiving and run through Christmas Eve on Fridays and Saturdays. Shifts will run the entire week of Christmas at Anthem Walmart. Two-hour shifts are available on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Longer shifts are available upon request. Christmas week shifts run from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Rotary of Anthem also hosts Interact Club at the Boulder Creek High School, which teaches teenagers the importance of caring and helping others. The Club’s international projects include giving polio immunizations to children in Mexico and assisting with Sunrise House, an orphanage in Uganda.
To fund their various projects and donations, Anthem Rotarians coordinate two major annual fundraisers, a golf tournament in May and Rotary Roundup in October. Rotary members also sell food and beverages at events throughout the year in Anthem.
Those interested in ringing the silver bells at Frys, contact Tom Leyda at 760-485-5549 or email him at Anthemsa@yahoo.com. To ring the bells at Walmart, contact Larry Evans at larryevans@aol.com. To ring the bells at Safeway, contact Tim Maki at timmaki@qwest.net.
For information on Anthem Rotary go to anthemrotary.org.