President Nancy's Message
Skipper Hoke Scholarship Presentations
While I am off in Finland chasing the Northern Lights, Past President Becky Stone will be stepping in to lead the February 6 meeting, where we will honor students from Roswell High School, Fellowship Christian, and Blessed Trinity as part of the Skipper Hoke Athletic Leadership Awards. It’s always an inspiring session to see the incredible talent and dedication of our local students. Please be sure to attend and show your support for these bright young scholars! See story below in newsletter for more information on this award.
Polar Plunge last Sat.
It was a beautiful day for the Polar Plunge in Alpharetta. The power of collaboration between Rotary Clubs was strong and Roswell Rotary was well represented. Our own District Governor Gordon Owens was the Belly Flop Champ, Kaho our Rotary Youth Exchange Student took the leap, we had jumpers from Roswell High School Interact Club, and Plungers and spectators from our club! See pictures at the end of this newsletter.
Greetings from Finland and see you soon!
Nancy Alterman
Roswell Rotary
President 2024-25
Service above Self
770-262-6300
Keynote Michael Haynes
Program this Week- Skipper Hoke Awards
For over 30 years Roswell Rotary has honored a player on the Roswell High School football team who exemplified leadership throughout his football career. This award is voted on by his peers - his fellow football players. Originally called the Outstanding Leadership Award, for years we invited the entire football team, coaches, and cheerleaders to join us for lunch to honor the recipient of the award.
We expanded our awards to honor leaders from our two other high schools on Woodstock Road in 2022 - Fellowship Christian and Blessed Trinity Catholic High Schools. This year we welcomed the award winners, their families, and coaches to our lunch meeting to receive these honors. Longtime member Skipper Hoke was a banker, community leader, and a huge booster of all things Roswell High School and its sports teams. For years he helped lead our Roswell Rotary Relays, often working the scoring table throughout the day. After his death in 2016, we renamed this award after him to honor the impact and dedication Skipper gave to our young people and athletics in our community.
This year our keynote message will be given by Michael Haynes, former NFL football player (and excellent golfer at RRC's Aubrey Greenway Golf Tournament)! Michael was a 7th round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1988. He played his first 6 seasons with the Falcons before signing a free-agent contract with his hometown team the New Orleans Saints. He played three seasons with the Saints before returning back to play his 10th and final season with the Falcons Michael holds a number of Falcons and Saints records, but the one he is most proud of is, (Longest TD reception 98-yard) vs Saints Inducted into the Northern Arizona University Hall of Fame in 2017 Executive Director of North Metro Miracle League. NMML does adaptive sports for individuals with disabilities nmmlatl.org Coaches Football and Track & Field at Fellowship Christian School Owns and operates Str8upSports (A Sports Management & Marketing Service)
2025 Honorees and their Athletic Directors
Blessed Trinity
- 2025 Honoree Dylan Torrico
- Athletic Director Ricky Turner
Fellowship Christian
- 2025 Honoree Charles Sharp
- Athletic Director David Lowery
Roswell High School
- 2025 Honoree Andrew Ryan
- Athletic Director Ben Sutter
Please join us on Thursday to honor these players!
RRAH - Next Meeting is Today, Feb. 4th @ 6:30 PM
Our next meeting is today, Feb. 4th at 6:30 PM at Gate City Brewing. Ourspeaker will be a Drug Intelligence Officer from the Atlanta-Carolinas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA).
The speaker will speak about the opioid epidemic, and ongoing efforts to fight crime in metro Atlanta. The AC - HIDTA is a federal, interagency law enforcement program which investigates, disrupts, and dismantles drug trafficking and money laundering organizations through intelligence-driven multi-jurisdictional operations. The AC-HIDTA involves officers, agents, and analysts from over 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the AC-HIDTA has successfully prosecuted thousands of criminals charged with narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, money laundering, and additional crimes around the world, seizing hundreds of millions of dollars annually in U.S. currency, firearms, and narcotics.
Hope to see you all there!
Shifa Jiwani
Thomas Peace Award
Roswell Rotary presented the Thomas Peace Award Paulding County & East Cobb Rotary Club GRSP student Shifa Jiwani. This annual award from Roswell Rotary honors a program recipient who exemplifies leadership and service. congratulations to Shifa and thank you RRC Past President John Carruth for making the presentation!
Interact Club Updates
Roswell High School Interact Club
Thank you Frederick Levy for sharing pictures of the Roswell High School Interact Club meeting. Yes, we do see the Four Way Test in the background!
Rotary Foundation Miracle
El Mandamiento multiplys from small donation of $5,000
Rotary Foundation: Multiplying Impact, Building Peace, Changing Lives
In 2004, a modest $5,000 donation to the Rotary Foundation from the Rotary Club of Roswell, Georgia, became the seed of something extraordinary. Through the Foundation’s matching program, it grew into $20,000—funds that helped launch a transformative project in Pilar, Argentina. This grant supported two critical initiatives: "El Mandamiento," a soy-based food processing kitchen feeding thousands in community kitchens, and essential equipment for the municipal hospital. The ripple effects of this single grant have been profound and far-reaching.
Click Here for English Translation
The Power of Rotary Foundation Dollars
The impact was immediate. Over the past 21 years, "El Mandamiento" has continued to feed countless people, while the hospital’s surgical table has saved countless lives. But the story doesn’t end there. This project awakened the local Rotary Club of Pilar to a new reality—that Rotarians from across the globe cared enough to make a significant investment in their community. It transformed their club from a social organization into a dynamic force for good, inspiring new leadership and a reinvigorated mission.
The story illustrates how Rotary grants do more than fund projects—they build bridges, create friendships, and inspire peace. The collaboration required to execute these grants fosters empathy, trust, and global fellowship. Rotarians in Roswell and Pilar didn’t just work together; they became lifelong partners, and dear friends, in service.
A Legacy of Impact
Since that first grant, the partnership between Roswell and Pilar has blossomed into numerous follow-on projects:
• Vision for a Brighter Future: Thousands of children received vision screenings and surgeries, enabling them to succeed in school and life.
• Investing in Education: School restrooms were remodeled, hygiene programs were implemented, and teachers from Roswell and Pilar exchanged ideas and cultures, enriching students on both sides of the partnership.
• Mutual Giving: Pilar Rotarians were so inspired by the generosity they received that they funded a $10,000 project for Roswell’s Drake House, demonstrating how generosity creates a cycle of goodwill.
And to think—all of this began with just $5,000.
Why the Rotary Foundation?
When you donate to the Rotary Foundation, every dollar goes farther. Our unique model amplifies contributions through matching programs, often turning one dollar into three. Unlike other organizations, Rotary allows donors to see their impact firsthand. You can visit, work on, or even initiate projects that transform lives.
In a time when donors often worry about where their money goes, the Rotary Foundation stands apart. Zero dollars are spent on overhead from your contributions. Instead, your donations multiply, fueling peace, goodwill, and life-changing projects worldwide.
Contact Us Now for More Information – it’s easy
The Rotary Foundation is not just about giving; it’s about building a legacy of service, multiplying the good we can do in the world, and ensuring that every dollar achieves its maximum potential. I invite you to join me in this incredible mission.
Many of us have had a good few years economically—let’s seize the opportunity to make those years matter for others.
Many have been inspired to donate $10,000 or more now (appreciated stock accepted) or pledge to donate $25,000 or more in one’s estate – and leave a NAMED endowment that will continue their lives of service..
To learn more about how you can help, contact Lee Hollingsworth, at
lee@leehollingsworth.com
Together, we can continue to change lives and ensure that the legacy of Rotary endures forever.
