Rotary Club of West Springfield

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Projects that respond to the needs of our local community.

Director – Doug Alcorn

KRISTI'S CHRISTMAS

Each year social workers, principals, and counselors identify 50-60 needy elementary school students in the greater Springfield area for participation in Kristi’s Christmas. On the first Saturday in December these children are treated to a hot breakfast provided by the Springfield Golf & Country Club. They are paired with a student from West Springfield High School who will be their buddy for the day. Breakfast is followed by a shopping excursion to the Target at Springfield Town Center. There they shop with their buddy for practical clothing and are allowed to spend $140 each. School representatives accompanying the children are given funds to purchase necessities for children unable to attend the event. In addition to providing dedicated staff to support the event, Target provides a generous store credit to help with the financials. After shopping the students get cocoa and a snack provided by Target and then return to the Springfield Golf & Country Club for a visit and party with Santa (who usually is bilingual) and Mrs. Claus. Santa gives each child special gifts, typically including a large stuffed teddy bear, sleeping bag and a backpack containing wrapped presents, school supplies and personal hygiene items.

Kristi’s Christmas was established in 1987 in memory of Kristi Brown, daughter of Rotarian Bill Brown and his wife Karen. Kristi, a graduate of West Springfield High School, was killed in an auto accident after her first year of college. Kristi had a heart to help children at Christmas time and the Browns established this program in memory of their daughter and to provide needy children in the local community with a wonderful Christmas experience.

Although Bill and Karen Brown are now deceased, the Rotary Club of West Springfield and its non-profit Foundation administer Kristi’s Christmas, handling all the finances, planning, coordination and arrangements. Financial support comes completely from donations from individuals, companies and organizations, 100% of which are used in support of the children. Of note, while this program has had a positive impact on the lives of many deserving children over the past 35+ years, it has also enriched the lives of the volunteers, particularly the high school students who volunteer to be buddies. POC - Yair Ramos

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY PROGRAM
For a number of years the Club has participated in this VDOT Program, removing trash on a quarterly basis from an area of Rolling Road (Old Keene Mill intersection to the Parkway). Club Members spend a few hours removing trash, followed by coffee and bagels. POC - Doug Alcorn

SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Our Rotary Club has a tradition of creating activities to support our Veterans. We have sponsored several fishing trips for wounded Veterans. In conjunction with the Wounded Warriors organization, we have served a special meal to injured Veterans and their Families at the Walter Reed Medical Center. We have packed and delivered boxes to a deployed Marine Detachment clearing IEDs in Afghanistan. In conjunction with Lorton Community Action Center, each year we pack and deliver Thanksgiving food boxes to married military families identified in need of support. POC - Rick Cernohorsky and Jim Kirkpatrick

DICTIONARIES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Each year, our Rotary Club gives 800+ dictionaries to 3rd-grade students in a number of area elementary schools. Dictionary distribution coincides with reading instruction in 3rd-grade classes. The students and the schools are very appreciative of the dictionaries for personal student use. POC – Doug Alcorn

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Karen Brown Citizen of the Year Award is presented annually by our club to recognize a non-Rotarian who exemplifies "Service Above Self" in his/her personal and professional life. The award recognizes an individual who, although not a Rotarian, has contributed significantly to improving the quality of life in his/her community. The recipient is automatically our club's nominee for the District 7610 Citizen of the Year Award. POC – Jim Kirkpatrick

LORTON COMMUNITY ACTION CENTER (LCAC)

Our Rotary Club has a close relationship with the Lorton Community Action Center. We provide them support with several projects throughout the year. Prior to the start of the new school year, we gather supplies to stuff student backpacks. For Thanksgiving, we collect and deliver food boxes to support the many families they support. Our newest project is a financial literacy project that will mentor and educate selected families in an effort to help them become more financially secure and eventually self-supporting. POC – Rick Cernohorsky