Rotarians are committed to ‘Service Above Self’

South Miami Rotarian Ellen Booke is one of 35 Rotarians from around the world participating in a polio immunization day (NID) in Chandigarh, India. Booke, along with Gables Rotarian Noelle Galperin, who has made several of these trips previously, left for this two week mission on February 3 to assist the medical staff in these immunization efforts.

As those Rotarians were leaving for India, the local Rotoract Club held a fundraising dinner that evening at Novecento on Brickell. Proceeds from this event, sponsored by Novecento and Bacardi, will help the Club meet their Polio Plus Challenge as well as help raise funds for transportation for the exchange students visiting from Tagashima, Japan.

Of course, the Haitian Relief effort is always on all our minds as collections of food, water and non-perishables continued to be collected around town. Doral Rotarians welcome anyone who would like to help sort and pack boxes to join them any Saturday or Sunday, (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) at their warehouse located at 8571 NW 54 Street in Doral.

Chris, Donna and Bill Gehring with Allison Bean assist in sorting clothing to be sent to Haiti, after the initial shipments of food, medicine and survival supplies are sent.

Chris, Donna and Bill Gehring with Allison Bean assist in sorting clothing to be sent to Haiti, after the initial shipments of food, medicine and survival supplies are sent.

Over the last few weekends, volunteers have come from local public and private schools, businesses, residents and other non profits to join in their efforts. Among the many volunteering their time was Doral Vice Mayor, Robert Van Name; Tom and Carol Bovee, of Galloway Office Supplies; Donna, Bill and Christopher Gehring and Allison Bean, of Miami Christian School; and Pat Enochs, from Doral Business Council, to mention a very few of the hundreds who worked tirelessly to reach out to a devastated island nation in need.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s 43rd Annual Golf Classic is scheduled for March 24, 2010 at the Miccosukee Golf & Country Club. Several sponsorship opportunities. For more information, call Barbara Villacis, Director of Special Events & Development at < bvillacis@bgcmia.org > or at 305-446-9910, ext 14 .

Canes fans attending the UM vs Duke basketball game On February 17 are in for a special treat honoring University of Miami Hurricanes basketball greats Jack McClinton (2006-09), Don Curnutt (1967- 70), and Dick Hickox (1958-61). The three will have their jerseys raised to the rafters of the BankUnited Center during halftime of this home game in recognition of their accomplishments.

The honored jerseys will hang alongside the retired jerseys of No. 24 Rick Barry (1962-65) and No. 40 Tim James (1995-99).

Although the numbers reflected on the honored jerseys will not be retired, they will hang in recognition of the great contributions to Hurricanes basketball made by McClinton, Curnutt, and Hickox. Until next week, keep making each day count.

Gloria Burns is Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Pinecrest, a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non profit organization, as well as a columnist for Community Newspapers.

Keeping abreast of community activities is a challenge. If you would like to submit information for this column, send your news via email to < galburns@aol.com >.

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A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.