Rotary: Conroe Rotary working on book drive for Honduras school

Rotary clubs throughout the world are starting off their club years as of July 1. New officers and board members start off the year planning service projects. 

The Rotary Club of Conroe is known for its distribution of the custom-made “I Like Me” books provided to first graders feeding into the Conroe High School. Lamar Casparis of the Rotary Club of Conroe is now working with his friend and fellow Rotarian in Honduras to package a steel shipping container full of books to this third-world country.

It is a well-known fact that people who know how to read do much better in life financially and are more successful as compared to those who do not know how to read. This sparked the creative mind of Lamar who approached the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Conroe Foundation to purchase a steel shipping container. That shipping container is in the process of being purchased with the “golden COG” symbolizing Rotary involvement emblazoned on its sides.

Lamar’s goal is to fill that shipping container full of books whether in English or Spanish for a school he and his Honduran friend (who is also an attorney) are working to help. This school takes abandoned children off the streets and educates them at their two campuses consisting of approximately ten acres. This education elevates them from a life of poverty to a life of potential. The school campuses have a need to provide books for these young minds to learn and grow! More on this book program in the near future.

The Rotary Club of The Woodlands is signing up individuals for their quarterly blood drives Chief Vampire Stephen Bauer has scheduled the blood mobile for their Thursday meetings in The Woodlands on Aug. 6 and Oct. 8. You can make your appointment for your “bloodletting” via Stephen’s email at stephen.bauer@unitedcapitalwealth.com or call him at 214-476-8237. This “blood sucker” knows that giving blood saves lives, as much as three lives per donation!

The Rotary Club of Conroe has several excellent upcoming programs at their Tuesday meetings at Honor Café. Come at 11:30 to socialize with Rotarians and guests, with formal meetings starting at 12:15 p.m. Upcoming programs held during the meetings of the Rotary Club of Conroe include:
• July 14 – Judge Kristin Bays to talk about the Montgomery County Judicial System
• July 21 –  County Extension Agent Mike Potter will teach you how to grow a “green thumb.”
• July 28 – Montgomery County District Attorney Mike Holley will talk about his office
• Aug. 4 – The head football coaches for the Conroe ISD high schools provide their pigskin preview ahead of the season.

Visitors are always welcome to attend Rotary Meetings, especially to see what Rotary is about and how serve our community and the world. For more information on Rotary, please email me at rsaikowski@comcast.net.