Mrs. Burks was excited to address Rotary club members once again. She thanked everyone for the continued support. Mrs. Burks highlighted the growth that Helping Hands has experienced since its beginnings in 1987. Started by five churches approximately 31 years ago, Helping Hands has been able to provide 6,000 families with basic food needs (as of October 2018) this year. By the end of this year Helping Hands of Paulding County will have distributed over 1 million pounds of food to local residents.
The Paulding County Rotary Club welcomed Robbie Finley of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for Paulding County to speak with our Club members. FCA Paulding is growing and is excited to be meeting with coaches and athletes across the county; in all five high schools, all nine middle schools, and now in four elementary schools.
A very excited Ms. Jones took the podium to give an update for the Paulding Boys and Girls Club. Ms. Jones was very excited about their current progress working with the youth after school. The Boys and Girls Club goals are to inspire and empower youth to reach their full potential. She was quick to dispel the idea that the Boys and Girls Club was a place for children to stagnate after school. She shared their plans to educate, expose, and expand these young children with the afterschool programs that are currently available.
Every year the Paulding County Rotary Club delivers apples to all elementary schools in Paulding County. This 2018 was no exception as the Paulding Rotarians met and loaded up apples to deliver all over the county. Our club members love the opportunity to continue this tradition.
The Annual Rotary Golf Tournament provides our club with the ability to invest in our local community. We appreciate our many sponsors and supporters, whose continued participation has made this event such a great success.
The Parental Accountability Court Program seeks to remove the underlying issues that cause noncustodial parents to become chronic non-payers of child support. Through judicial oversight, the program assists to transition non-custodial parents with barriers to self-sufficiency through parent accountability, employment, and education.
Dr. Brian Otott update members on the status and plans for the Paulding school system. Dr. Otott marked the growth of the Paulding school system as well as the research and planning to keep up with that growth. In addition to quantity, Dr. Otott also spoke of the programs, opportunities, and grants that are being applied to our school system.
Ford Thigpen, President of the Paulding Rotary Club welcomed Mary Carol Sheffield of the UGA Extension Office. The Rotary Club acknowledges the positive impact and effort that the 4-H Club brings to students in our County's school system. Mr. Thigpen presented a check for $1000 to Mrs. Sheffield as a donation on behalf of the Paulding Rotary Club.
Paulding County Rotary Club president, Ford Thigpen welcomed guests from East Paulding High School. In addition to our club members, we were joined by East Paulding's Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Brad Thomason, Head Coach Billy Shackelford, and Community Coach Bill Driskell. Coach Driskell explained the mentoring program for East Paulding.
Mikey Curtis of the Paulding County Shrine Club visited the Paulding Rotary club. Mr. Curtis explain some of the histories of the Shrine Club for the Rotarians and updated them with information on their upcoming charity golf tournament.
This year the 7th Annual Pigskin Preview took place at the Dallas Civic Center in Downtown Dallas. Organized by the Paulding County Rotary Club, Club President Ford Thigpen greeted everyone. Following the provided lunch Mr. Thigpen thanked them for their continued support and participation in this event. He expressed what a privilege and honor it was for the Rotary club to participate in this event annually with our high schools.
The Paulding County Rotary Club welcomed this year's participants in the RYLA program. RYLA is a Rotary program that offers leadership skills and training to youth. This year's participants were Callie Benson, Addie Thigpen, and Marion Plumley. All of the participants shared their experiences with the club and all agreed that it was a worthwhile program.
Deputy Terry McAdams, of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division, received the “Officer of the Year” award from the Paulding County Rotary Club at their regularly scheduled meeting. Deputy McAdams was accompanied by Sheriff Gary Gulledge along with his family and supervisors at a luncheon held in his honor.
The Paulding Rotary annually recognizes first responders with Public Safety Awards & Recognition. Our emergency services in Paulding County are always available and stand ready to come when called. They respond to fires, automobile accidents and defend us against crime. Individuals recognized here are heroes that give more than what is asked.