March 18, 2026
Join us today, Wednesday, March 18, at Grassroots Coffee anytime between 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. for a cup of coffee and a casual conversation with fellow Rotarians! Stay long enough to enjoy breakfast and get to know your fellow Rotarians better or grab your coffee to go. No agenda, no program.
The club will meet on Thursday, March 19 at 11:30 a.m. at Second Harvest Food Bank to pack food boxes for this month's fresh produce distribution. After we finish packing, enjoy a box lunch with the team or grab one to go. Please join us!
We'll distribute our fresh produce boxes on Saturday, March 21 at Weston Park. Set-up begins at 7:30 a.m., and distribution begins at 8:30 a.m. or as soon as we are ready. This month, our distribution will include tomato plants in grow bags, so we'll need all hands on deck to help. Please join us. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or trying it out for the first time, we’d love to see you there. Bring your energy, your smile, and maybe a friend or two!
By Debbie Goodman, Committee Chair:
Annual Giving Campaign
I want to continue to thank our members for supporting the Annual Giving Campaign for GRSP. We are on countdown, with a mailing deadline to the Foundation of Thursday March 26, 2026 for donations to be at the Foundation Office for funds to be considered for the Jake Cheatham Award at upcoming District Conference.
Teri White and I have written to members who are close to first or new giving levels to inform them of their current status. Donations continue to be accepted through our next two meetings or can be mailed to P.O. Box 1277, Thomasville, GA 31799 to be received to Warren Ballard by March 26. Or, contact me and I’ll pick up any contributions.
Our GRSP student, Helena, will be giving her farewell speech reflecting on her year in Georgia on April 23 at Rotary. We will also be presenting any new GRSP awards that have been achieved by March 26.
Volunteers Needed at Pebble Hill for Friday March 27, 2026
We are very excited to again be a part of the 60th annual Larry Frosteg Pelham International Student Weekend on March 26-29. Clubs from Pelham, Camilla, and Thomasville have joined together to provide a great time and learning experiences for this year’s international class of GRSP Students.
Mary Beth Donalson is organizing our part of the weekend program for our members to participate at Pebble Hill. Rotary volunteer members are asked to sign up and be at the Pebble Hill Plantation-Learning Center on Friday, March 27 at 11 am to set up for lunch, join the students for lunch serving as table hosts, and help with clean-up after lunch. Angela Williamson is handling sign-up for volunteers. Thanks for your support and help. Please let Angela Williamson know how you can help: 229-977-2657 or angelapwilliamson@gmail.com.
Questions: Contact Debbie Goodman at dgoodman@116dawson.com or (229) 227-8249.
Make plans now to attend the District Learning Assembly (formerly District Training Assembly).
This assembly is designed for current and incoming club leaders, committee chairs, and all Rotarians who want to strengthen their clubs and increase their impact. Connect, grow, and lead with your fellow Rotarians! Topics include:
You need to register and attend this assembly if you will be an officer or director in 2026-2027. The Thomasville club will reimburse the fees for any of our members who attend. Some of our club members will travel to Columbus on Friday evening, and some will leave early Saturday morning. Carpooling can be arranged.
Hotel Recommendation
Hampton Inn Columbus Downtown
1201 Broadway Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901, 706-507-4204
Volunteers are needed for the Thomasville R.E.A.D. Foundation and Rotary Club of Thomasville's inaugural Thomasville Ritz Music Festival on Saturday, March 21. All volunteers will receive free entrance to the festival. Volunteer slots are available in two-hour segments and all volunteer jobs are simple:
Come volunteer with friends and enjoy a fun music festival!
The Ritz Music Festival will feature an incredible variety of music performances – country, R&B, country rock, pop, southern soul funk, and music from some of the best DJs in the Southeast – and proceeds will power R.E.A.D's literacy initiatives and support other life-changing programs and partnerships for children in K-12 schools in our community.
To become a sponsor or for more information about the festival, contact Stephan Thompson (404.488.2761). To volunteer, contact Angela Williamson (229.977.2657) or sign up here.
To account for increasing costs, the price for lunch for guests has increased from $15 to $20 each, beginning at our first March meeting this year at the Plaza. Lunch for guests has been $15 since 2022, but our costs for lunch have increased incrementally over that time.
Additionally, international and district Rotary fees have increased, but the Thomasville club has not increased dues since 2015. The board of directors is considering a dues increase to accommodate these higher dues and higher costs of living.