Melissa Rotary — A Strong Week of Service and Impact

We had 18 in attendance this week, including Immediate Past President Mary Grabowski, three additional guests, our featured speaker, Jennifer, CEO of Real Options, and her guest, Zoey.

And there was plenty to celebrate.

Melissa Rotary achieved 16 of the 20 goals needed and achieved the Club Excellence Award for this past year.

Our giving has also gone well beyond expectations. The club budgeted $2,000 for Annual Fund contributions — and gave $4,000! Our Polio giving reached approximately three times our goal.

Adding to the celebration, Rotary District 5810 was recognized as District of the Year for its Polio efforts. Mary reminded us that our district accomplishes all it does with the work of roughly 70 people.

Real Options — Offering a Pathway Forward

Our featured program was presented by Jennifer Shelton, CEO of Real Options, an organization founded in 1987 that today has 34 employees and 74 volunteers serving through four locations across the Metroplex.

Her assessment of our club? “Melissa Rotary, we are Rotary Royalty!”

Melissa has its own Real Options center in Wildflower, across from Melissa High School.

Real Options works with women and families facing difficult and sometimes heartbreaking circumstances. Their outreach includes pregnancy services, diaper drives, jail outreach, assistance for women affected by human trafficking and support for those dealing with complications following abortions.

Their goal is not simply to address the immediate crisis, but to offer a pathway forward.

Real Options chooses locations by asking a simple question: Where is the need?

Jennifer shared that their largest demographic is women 30 and older. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) and receives support from individuals, churches and government grants.

Jennifer's husband serves at the Melissa location and leads its Fatherhood Program, helping men become more involved and responsible fathers.

One area where Melissa can especially help: the Melissa center currently has no male volunteers.

The center is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Our Interact Club may also have an opportunity to help Real Options through a future diaper drive.

Real Options will hold its annual Gala on September 24 at the Plano Event Center. More information is available at RealOptionsTX.com.

Rise Against Hunger

Our own Rise Against Hunger project continues moving forward. We currently need to raise $4,200 to make the event possible.

This is another opportunity for Melissa Rotary — and our community — to turn generosity into something tangible for people who need it.

Another good week of fellowship, generosity and service — and another reminder of what Rotary can accomplish when people decide to act.