The Rotary Club of Franklin Community Care Clinic Project
The Community Care Clinic of Franklin provides free medical services to residents who are uninsured and who do not qualify for government assistance programs. The Clinic is staffed by volunteers from the medical community and the community at large, and operates “after hours” at the Macon County Health Department two days a week. The Rotary Club of Franklin has an ongoing relationship with the Clinic, having supported it with both volunteers and cash donations. In 2015-16 the club applied for a District Simplified Grant and donated $2,500 to the Clinic. In order to obtain grants in continuing to support the clinic going forward, the club will need to take a more hands on approach. If you have questions about the Community Care Clinic or would like to get involved, please contact Community Service Director for 2017-18 Patrick Bettencourt.
The Rotary Club of Franklin’s Partnership with CareNet
(Fill the BackPacks)
The club has partnered with the Macon County Care Network for several years. CareNet provides food and assistance for community residents for whom other resources, including government assistance, are not available.
In the past, the club has supported CareNet financially and through “Fill the Bag”(read more about it by moving cursor to “Service Projects”…then “Community Service”…then “Fill The Bag”). Recently the club has partnered with CareNet to fill backpacks once a month for needy individuals in the community.
Anyone who has questions about the club’s partnership with CareNet, or who would like to be involved may contact Community Service Chair Patrick Bettencourt.
The Rotary Club of Franklin Shop With a Cop Project
The Franklin Rotary Club has been a proud supporter of the Shop With A Cop program for a number of years. This is a program initiated by one of our own, Sheriff Robert Holland. Each year children who might not otherwise get to experience the joys of the Christmas season are identified, and are taken shopping by local law enforcement officers with funds donated by the community. After shopping, the kids are treated to lunch at a local restaurant. This project has brought smiles to the faces of hundreds of children at Christmas, and The Franklin Rotary Club has and will continue to lend support. For more information on the Shop with a Cop Program see Rotarians Robert Holland and Community service chair for 2017-18 Patrick Bettencourt.
The Rotary Club of Franklin Thanksgiving Dinner Project
Each year, the First Presbyterian Church serves dinner to the local community on Thanksgiving Day, with turkey and dressing and all the trimmings. The Rotary Club of Franklin has donated to this effort for several years, and club members have given of their holiday time to help serve the guests.
The Church does a great job with this project every year, but volunteers to help serve are always appreciated. This is a great way to give a little back to the community! If you are interested in helping out, please contact Community Service Chair Patrick Bettencourt.
The Rotary Club of Franklin Fill the Bag Project
In the past, the Rotary Club of Franklin has supported CareNet financially and through “Fill the Bag”, a project that asks community residents to donate pantry items by filling a grocery bag that is distributed with an issue of The Franklin Press during the Thanksgiving season. Our club partners with the Franklin Daybreak Rotary Club and The Franklin Press on this project.
Anyone who has questions about this club’s project partnership with CareNet, or who would like to be involved may contact Community Service Director Patrick Bettencourt.
The Rotary Club of Franklin and Kid’s Place
Kid’s Place is a non profit agency founded in 1991 by concerned community members wanting to improve services for abused and neglected children in Macon County. The organization does not house the children but provides a home-like environment with trained professionals specialized in interviewing children on reports of abuse. Professionals also perform medical exams and provide counseling. Kid’s Place does not charge for counseling and other services. Kid’s Place does bill Medicaid when possible. In 2012-13 The Rotary Club of Franklin was able to help Kid’s Place financially with a $2000 donation to help meet its goal of $20,000 to get a matching grant. A Rotary District 7670 matching grant was part of the contribution. This more than satisfied the requirements for the organization to obtain the matching grant from the Robert and Polly Dunn Foundation.
The Rotary Club of Franklin and Boy Scout Troop 202
The Rotary Club of Franklin has had a long relationship in supporting Boy Scout Troop 202 here in Franklin. Recently the club helped the troop re-organize again with financial and service support. The troop received a matching donation of $1000 from the club in 2013-14 and the troop is conducting fundraisers in the community to continue its operation. Charlie Vargas is the 202 troop master. Volunteers are always needed. For more information on Troop 202 see club liaison Mike Norris.
The Rotary Club of Franklin Family and Community Service Award
The Family and Community Service Award was established during the 2012-13 Rotary year and recognizes those individuals that volunteer their time, goods, and or services to help the club’s efforts in serving the Franklin and Macon County communities. The award is presented randomly throughout each Rotary year. For more information on the Family and Community Service Awards see Community Service director Patrick Bettencourt.
Gleaning Project
On September 30th, 2015 a group of 6-8 Rotarians and 35-40 Franklin High School FFA students gleaned almost a ton of produce in about two hours from Mitchell Farms in Macon County. The gleaned produce along with additional donated produce totaled around two tons. This was the first year of the project and thanks to all who participated. The project was lead by chair Janet Greene. Great work! The club hopes to do it again.