HSV Rotary welcomes district governor 6170

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Rotary Club of Hot Springs Village recently welcomed District Governor 6170 Jennifer Van Houtte as speaker. She announced that Rotary’s international theme for 2017-18 is “Rotary: Making a Difference.”

The HSV club will participate in the Tree Planting Project, by being among the 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide who will each plant a tree. A second goal is Polio eradication, that will address the $1.5 billion needed to reach countries in the world where the vaccine has not yet been provided. Tracking all volunteer hours Rotarians contribute to its projects via Rotary Central is a third goal.

Van Houtte also shared her story of being a refugee from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in August 2005, when she and her family fled to Memphis for two weeks and then to Russellville, where a generous couple took them in. Later, they were offered a rent-free apartment.

She was invited to a Rotary meeting, and six months later, became the club president. She wanted to give back to the community that had been so helpful to her family when they were unexpectedly homeless and had spent all of their savings. She stressed the importance of contributing to an organization that is collectively making a huge difference.

HSV Rotary membership is open to all, and guests are welcome to attend weekly meetings, held at 7 a.m. each Thursday in the Fireside Dining Room of the Good Samaritan Society, 121 Cortez Road.