Selfless Act: Community helps in time of need.

When the "Corporate greed" is at highest world-over, when every major industry from Banks and Auto to Adult film industry is running to the Government for Bailout Money, when redical terrorism is the headline news in every major news media...
World is still running and Hope is still surviving in local communities, thanks to those unsung heroes who keep doing good, everyday without expecting anything in return.
On December 9th 2008 afternoon, severe fire, damaged a duplex home in Mechanicsbug Borough and left a family of single mom and four children homeless in Mechanicsburg PA.
Fortunately everyone was safe, but overnight the family lost everything.
Local businesses, fellow neighbors and Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club came together to help.
Local chapter of Red Cross and New Hope Ministry extended support with immediate needs. Local business man and long time MNRC member, Mr. Bob Banzhoff arranged for help in the form of cash, Walmart-cards, discounts at local businesses and stores.
The family needed a place to stay! Becky Dussinger, Holiday Inn manager and an MNRC member arranged for family to stay at Holiday Inn at 80% discounted rate.
Within a month, a rental place was found or the family.
It is community efforts like this and not the mega media news that really maintains the integrity of the world and keeps it going.
Thanks to all those who helped, in time of need.
The picture is courtsey of http://www.lowerallenfire.com/

Mr. Fred Lovelace to be honored for community service

Last updated: Friday, January 9, 2009 2:15 PM EST

Mr. Lovelace will be our speaker on Thursday, January 15.

Ever since he was a little boy, Scouting has been a major part of life for Fred Lovelace.

“I’ve been a Boy Scout since I was a Cub Scout,” said the 67-year-old West Shore businessman, who currently serves as council president of the Keystone Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Lovelace grew up in the Pittsburgh area during the 1940s.
That’s where he got into Scouts, he explained, eventually earning Eagle Scout, the Boy Scouts’ highest rank.“We didn’t have the after-school activities or computers they have today.
It became a really good activity,” he said, noting that his brothers were also involved and his parents were active Scout volunteers.

“It becomes a way of life.”Upon retiring from the Army after more than 21 years of service, Lovelace worked for contracting firms in Washington, D.C., and Germany before moving to the area in 1994 and founding The VitalLink Consulting Agency, a professional organizational consulting firm in Mechanicsburg.

“I gained a wealth of information over the years and I felt I had a lot to offer,” he said, especially in dealing with people.
He joined the West Shore Chamber of Commerce in 1995, which helped an unknown Lovelace grow his business.“It’s one of the most positive things I have done,” he said, citing a multitude of networking opportunities available through the chamber.

“It gives you the exposure you need as a small and new business.”Lovelace has continuously given back to the community through his business and on a personal level.
Aside from his involvement with the Scouts, he also serves as the commander for the Pennsylvania Department of the Military Order of the World Wars and is their representative to the Mechanicsburg Area Veterans Council.
He is on the board of directors for Pennsylvanians for Right to Work, a member of the American Management Association and is a certified management consultant with the Institute of Management Consultants.
With the chamber, he has served on the board of directors and as past chair of the military liaison committee.

His efforts have earned him the chamber’s Les Ginanni Business & Community Connection Award, which will be presented at its annual meeting and luncheon on Jan. 15 in Camp Hill.

January 2009 - Students of the Month

The Mechanicsburg-North Rotary Club is pleased to announce its students of the month for January 2009.
Cumberland Valley High School
Delaney Janson, daughter of Lisa and Russell Janson. Delaney is involved in orchestra,
National Honor Society (president), pit orchestra, STILES (Students Teaching International
Languages in Elementary Schools), National Foreign Language Honor Society, and STAND. She
will attend The College of William and Mary, majority in biology or environmental science.
Patrick Chou, son of George and Tracy Chou. Patrick is involved in orchestra, Future Business
Leaders of America, and TSA. He plans to attend Carnegie Mellon, Drexel, Penn State, or the
University of Pittsburgh, and major in computer science.
Cumberland Perry Area Vocational Technical School (CPAVTS)
Adam Turner, son of Sherry and Dennis Turner. Adam is from Northern High School and in the
Landscaping Program. Adam is planning to attend HACC or Pennsylvania College of Technology
to study landscaping. He has been recognized as Student of the Quarter at CPAVTS, and has
received three scholastic certificates of honors and distinguished honors at Northern High School.
Ashli Weaver, daughter of Tami and Dan Weaver. Ashli is a West Perry student enrolled in the
carpentry program. She plans to attend HACC for an Associate Degree in architecture. She has
been recognized as the Student of the Quarter, and was part of the 2nd Place Winning Team at
the International Builder’s Show.

President's Pen - January 2009

Dear Fellow Mechanicsburg North Rotarians,
Happy New Year! I wish all of you and your families good health, much
happiness and ongoing success. This month is Rotary Awareness Month. Each of
us as individuals, we as our Rotary Club and Rotary International can not do
enough to share the good news about the projects we support, serve and provide
for those less fortunate. Please make it a point to have your “elevator speech”
ready. That is, when asked, “What is Rotary and what do you do?” we should be
able to respond with a 10-20 second answer (before the elevator doors open) and
then invite the questioner to a meeting as our guest.
One of the District’s projects is the Teacher Impact Awards. WGALTV
has been and will continue to support this recognition of one of our most
valued professions. Nominations are due by January 30th at the WGAL-TV
office. Forms will be available at our January meetings.
Please continue to collect the coins in the Make Dreams Real jars. I
have made my coworkers at the bank available to count the coins collected.
Please have those jars to me by the end of February. Please include your name
on a slip of paper on the inside of the jar so you may receive credit toward the
Foundation giving. The total jar collection for Mechanicsburg North shall be
reported to District before March 15th and the proceeds sent to the Rotary
Foundation at that time.
Thank you again to Bill and Allison Morgan for opening their homes to
us for the Holiday party. Once again, the committee did a fantastic job with the
food, drinks and the weather- cold rain beats ice any day!
Yours in Rotary, President Chip