LOCAL

The Marion Rotary Club Baseball Tournament
Local Chairman: Kim Hollowell

In 2009 we hosted our 7th annual baseball tournament.  This is the Marion Rotary Club’s premium fund raiser for the year, and is one of the largest baseball tournaments in the state of Arkansas.  The tournament director is Kevin Jumper of East Arkansas Sports Management, who has always done an outstanding job.  We are grateful to the Marion & West Memphis communities who continue to support our tournament.

Rotarians and friends from the Marion club volunteer hundreds of hours in planning, preparation, and execution of the tournament, which is held at the Marion Sports Complex, Tilden Rogers Sports Complex in West Memphis, and Colonial Park in Marion.

As many as 60 teams from all over the Mid South, including Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi are on hand to compete over the two day event.  For more information, contact Kevin Jumper at East Arkansas Sports Management.

Healthy Smiles Program

Local Chairman: Dr. Jim Johnston, DDS

Under the direction and with the support of Rotary District 6150, our club is a proud partner in the Healthy Smiles Program. This goal of this ambitious project is to present a program on dental hygiene to 14,000 second grade students in the Northeast quadrant of Arkansas.

The Marion Lake Nature Trail Project
Local Chairman: Rosalind O’Neal

In an effort to beautify the area surrounding Marion Lake and provide educational opportunities for residents and school children, our club has undertaken the construction of a 3/4 mile paved walking trail and seven large informational kiosks.  The Arkansas Department of Fish and Game has contributed artwork and information to the project.  We also appreciate donations from the Crittenden County Home Builders Association, and the Marion High School Shop Class.

The first of the seven kiosks was completed and the trail dedicated on Saturday October 4th, with members of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, the Marion Rotary Club, friends, and the media present.  The remaining kiosks are structurally complete as of this date, and the additional artwork is in production now.

Our first work day on Saturday July 12th was a big success. Craig Brown, Kim Hollowell, Linda Baser, Milton Baser and Jim Cosgrove were on hand to get the large frames and roof sections built.

The sections were completed and transported to the seven concrete pads that have already been prepared.

The next work day will be scheduled soon, and the sections will be set in concrete.  Our final work day will be to return and finish the roofing.  Artwork will then be added to the front of each kiosk, and this project will be complete!

Just in case you were wondering, it wasn’t all work and no play.

Dictionaries in the Schools
Local Chairman: Judy Hopkins

The Marion Rotary Club promotes literacy in concert with projects at the district and international level.  Our club delivers dictionaries to several area elementary schools annually.  Literacy continues to be one of the areas of emphasis for Rotary International and Rotary clubs throughout the world.

Whether donating dictionaries, building schools, or acting as tutors, Rotarians are active in efforts to reduce illiteracy around the world.

Scholarships for Graduating High School Seniors
Local Chairman: Craig Brown

Each year the Marion Rotary Club grants a number of financial scholarships to deserving high school seniors.  Applications are accepted from the local school districts.

DISTRICT

Literacy Projects: Literacy continues to be one of the areas of emphasis for Rotary International and Rotary clubs throughout the world.  Each club is asked to name a literacy chairperson and send their name and contact information to your Assistant Governor.

Medical Supplies Network: Have you ever wondered what happens to perfectly good but no longer needed medical equipment and supplies?  Too often it sits in a warehouse gathering dust.  Now there’s a much better solution.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Polio Plus: To eradicate polio, Rotarians have mobilized by the hundreds of thousands. They’re working to ensure that children are immunized against this crippling disease and that surveillance is strong despite the poor infrastructure, extreme poverty, and civil strife of many countries. Since the PolioPlus program’s inception in 1985, more than two billion children have received the oral polio vaccine.

Humanitarian Grants Program: Disaster Recovery, District Simplified Grants, Health Hunger and Humanity Grants. Matching Grants and Volunteer Service Grants.

Educational Programs: Ambassadorial Scholarships, Group Study Exchange (GSE), Rotary Grants for University Teachers, The Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program and Rotary World Peace Fellowships.