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Through programs and service, Charleroi Rotarians have been engaged in many activities over the past several weeks.

Charleroi Rotarians (l-r) Donna Ramusivich, John Helfenstein, Mike Rupert (President), Colleen Arnowitz, and Steve Arnowitz.

A late summer fundraiser brought about recognition for local businesses and helped raise funds for club projects. Placemats used at two restaurants contained ads sponsored by Charleroi Rotary club members and area businesses. Thanks to My Girls Restaurant in Charleroi and Lenzi’s Restaurant in Monongahela for their participation in this project.

Members and guests have enjoyed a variety of presentations.

Dave Slusarick, a member of the Norwin Rotary Club, was the speaker at the August Tri-Club meeting. He spoke about his experiences as a member of a rotary-sponsored GSE Team. During his trip to Brazil, Dave was introduced to rotary and its theme of peace through service. Based on this experience with the GSE Team, Dave was inspired to join rotary soon after his return. He has been active with his local club and currently serves as the District 7330 assistant. The members of the Donora, Belle Vernon, and Charleroi clubs enjoyed learning about the GSE Team and Dave’s experiences.

The Tri-Club meeting in September featured a presentation by Donora member Matthew Uram. He had visited Washington D.C. and he presented a slideshow about Pope Francis’s recent visit. Matt also showed some commemorative coins that had been minted especially for the Pope’s visit. All club members found the presentation to be very meaningful.

Service projects were also on the canvas over the past several weeks. Early in September a presentation was made regarding the placement of banners in Charleroi that would honor veterans. As a result of those discussions, the Rotary Club of Charleroi joined other organizations and the Borough of Charleroi in helping to promote banner purchases to honor family members. Another annual event took place in September, when dictionaries were presented to third grade students at Charleroi Elementary Center. President Mike Rupert and club members were accompanied by Assistant Principal Mark Killinger as they made the presentations. The students thanked the Rotarians for their gifts.

Along with the work comes a little fun, and that was evident on October 8 at Monongahela Valley Hospital. The Rotary Clubs of the Mon Valley joined District Governor Matt Dowling for a professional networking mixer and movie night. Refreshments included popcorn, meat and cheese trays, and boxes of candy found at the movies. The evening’s presentation was “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

As a reminder, the Charleroi Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at the Back Porch restaurant in Lower Speers. Meetings begin at noon. For membership or program information, please contact Mike Rupert at 412-422-4202 or John Helfenstein at 724-494-3195.

Each year, dictionaries are given to third grade students by local Rotary clubs. Pictured above right with some students at the Charleroi Elementary Center are Charleroi Rotarians (l-r) Donna Ramusivich, John Helfenstein, Mike Rupert (President), Colleen Arnowitz, and Steve Arnowitz.