The year is rapidly coming to an end with Christmas upon us. Teams of Rotarians were out ringing the Salvation Army Bells, with the Rotary Club of East Montgomery County bringing in the most money with $4,200 brought in by their Club, outpacing the other Rotary Clubs of Montgomery County in this bell-ringing marathon. Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Conroe rounded up Santa Claus and two elves to visit Runyan Elementary School to distribute hundreds of gifts.
Rotarians are helping other service organizations, including providing Santa for the annual Christmas Parade in Conroe. This Christmas Parade is a long-term Project of the Kiwanis Club/ It is all about service to our communities, with the Kiwanis Club of Conroe proudly serving the Conroe community by organizing and hosting the wonderful Christmas tradition along with sponsoring the Founder’s Plaza in historic downtown Conroe. We should also remember the Lion’s Clubs in their service endeavors. The World is a better place with people who serve others. At this time of the year, we should be grateful for all of these wonderful community servants!
It is with a sad heart that I announce that Dan Cox passed away. Dan was the 20th President of the Rotary Club of The Woodlands which just celebrated its 50th anniversary last year! After selling his medical technology firm, Dan served as comptroller for Conroe ISD. Later today, Rotarian Bob Putnam will be memorialized at a 2pm service at Grace Lutheran Church at 13123 S. H. 105. At 107, Bob was the oldest World War II veteran in Montgomery County when he passed away peacefully on November 21, 2025.. Bob was a model Rotarian earning numerous awards and recognition such District Rotary Hall of Fame, Rotary International Governor’s Appreciation Award for Leadership, Rotarian of the Year in 199-96, and in 2005 at age 86, the Rotary Distinguished Service Award.
As the year ends in a few weeks, Rotarians are celebrating end of year parties, winding down Rotary business affairs with most Rotary Clubs not holding meetings during the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with a restart in January. Rotarians will be electing new Officers and Board Members for the Rotary Year starting on July 1, 2026. We will also be celebrating with others in our Community the upcoming 250th anniversary of our Country’s Declaration of independence from a Monarchy. Rotary, like our great Country, is an experiment, ever evolving. Let’s see what is instore for our Country and our great service organizations in the years to come. With Rotary as our country’s oldest service organization, I am excited to see what will come next!