Oshtemo
Rotary
Meetings:
As of July, 2021, we are back to meeting at the Oshtemo Community Center.
Thursdays at noon
Oshtemo Community Center
6407 Parkview
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Look for topic and an occasional change of venue below!
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Upcoming Meetings & Events
Most of the time we meet at noon on Thursdays at the Oshtemo Community Center.
Click anywhere in this frame to display the current schedule of meetings and events and any change of time or venue.
Please be aware that we are not catering lunches any longer. You are welcome to bring your own lunch to the meetings.
Acorn Childcare Center
Our club supports a new international project. If you’d like to learn about this exciting project and maybe even sign up as a donor yourself, click on this box.
Contact Us
Oshtemo Rotary is involved with a multitude of projects including local, regional, national, and international.
Acorn Childcare Center
Literary Project
Cub Scouts Pack 247
Eye Clinic in Peru
Polio Eradication
KVCC Scholarship Fund
4the22 Veterans Support Group
Oshtemo Parks
Clean Water Project
“Ministry with Community” Garden
“Loaves & Fishes” Volunteering
Syrian Refugee Family Support
Maya Childcare , Inc.
supporting Acorn Childcare Center
Xela, Guatemala
About the Maya Childcare Inc.:
- 100% of the proceeds go directly to Guatemala.
- The 501(c)(3) is exclusively run by volunteers and in-kind donations.
- Maya Childcare’s sole purpose is to financially support the Acorn Childcare Center
The Acorn Childcare Center (Centro Infantil Bellota in Spanish) gives children a better start in life. The Center provides essential care and early education for 2–6 year olds and allows children to enjoy:
- A balanced breakfast, healthy snacks and a main meal each day.
- A safe and caring environment that nurtures trusting relationships with adults and other children.
- A stimulating educational environment that inspires and supports active learning.
Teachers at the Center are trained in the High/Scope
Curriculum based on a philosophy of active, participatory learning. Children are encouraged to make choices, to explore a wide range of materials, to experiment and to experience things for themselves.
Prairie Ridge Reading Program
Oshtemo Rotary has partnered with Prairie Ridge Elementary for many years in a literacy project. During the month of March, Dr. Seuss’s birth month, Rotary members read a Dr. Seuss book to kindergarteners and first graders once a week.
Rotary members dramatic talents are on display as they entertain the class with their interpretation of the story. Many of the children know the books by heart and are not shy about helping the Rotarian tell the story.
At the end of the month, each child receives a personalized book. It’s always a special moment when a Rotary member calls a child up to the front of the room and presents them with their own book.
Huamachuco Rotary Health Clinic
Perú, South America
Wha-mah-chu-ko (Huamachuco) Rotary Health Clinic in Perú South America has been supported by Oshtemo Rotary for almost 20 years. Located in the Peruvian Andes, at 10,000 ft, the Clinic supplements local health services by offering physical therapy, cataract surgery, and cleft palate repair to needy residents.
4the22
“bringing balance to life”
4the22 is an organization that is dedicated to the support of veterans. specifically those that have suffered a physical or emotional impact during their service.
Their website states: “We strive to help those around us find balance and purpose through the therapeutic activities of standup paddling, surfing, and exercise. We cultivate community and camaraderie through all of our activities, to help our veterans transition smoothly into civilian life and to allow both veterans and first responders to to look beyond their challenges and achieve their full potential.”
4THE22 is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization, that works to not only raise awareness of veteran and first responder suicide rates, but more importantly to provide solutions.
Syrian Refugee Family
Back in the fall of 2017, Oshtemo Rotary was introduced to a Syrian refugee family, who had just moved to Kalamazoo. Only the children spoke English. They came with nothing but a suitcase apiece.
That December our club adopted them for the holidays. This started a relationship that is still alive and well today. Our members have been able to watch the kids become teenagers and share in the family’s culture, food and religion. We’ve worked together on projects for the community and celebrated milestones together as well.
Through the years, as the family has needed a little help, Oshtemo Rotary has been there to provide assistance.