January 28, 2026-Rotary Club of Lake Worth Beach-Newsletter

   UPCOMING EVENTS:

2026-Future Events to Plan For:

February

Friday, February 27, 2026

Last Person Standing Fundraiser

at The Irish Brigade

March

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Scholarship Fundraiser-Canceled

April

Saturday, April 11

Picnic @ John Prince Park

January Celebrations

Birthdays

Jim Sugarman           January 3

  Frank Pedro              January 21

  Jim Doyle                  January 23

Anniversary’s

Jim Sugarman           January 22, 2022

50/50 Drawing

Last week, Thais Villanueva won the $700 pool — Congratulations!!!!!

We will continue with the same deck, just one Joker, and 31 cards

Board Meeting held Jan. 14 @ 11:00 AM

• A donation of $250 will be given to Lake Worth High School to assist with their prom expenses.

• A $1000 scholarship was approved for Lilly Perez a senior at LW High School.

• Our rotary club will receive a $900 matching grant for the Water Safety Program.

• A donation of $250 was approved to help buy food for the Mayan Center in LWB.

Speakers:

January 14, 2026

The principals from the Lake Worth Beach schools—Dr. Ann Hembrook (Barton Elementary), Frances Frye (Highland Elementary), Karla De La Cruz (South Grade Elementary), Nichole Patterson (North Grade Elementary), Caelethia Taylor (Lake Worth Middle School), and Elena Villani (Lake Worth High School)—shared how our $1000 principal grants given to them last year were allocated.

They described using the money to purchase a variety of essential items for students and teachers that fall outside the regular budget—expenses often covered out-of-pocket by teachers themselves.

Examples included providing food and clothing to students who otherwise couldn't afford them and might miss school due to a lack of proper attire.

The funding also supported a high school program offering childcare for infants of student mothers, enabling those young parents to complete their diplomas.

The principals highlighted that many students are English language learners requiring extra support, and their families often struggle to cover even basic needs. In numerous cases, this assistance provided meaningful additional help that made a real difference.

In summary, this initiative has truly enlightened our members about the many unforeseen and profoundly positive impacts that this funding has had on both the schools and their students.

Thanks to our fundraising efforts, our club is proud to again be able to present this year each principal with a $1,000 grant for their school.

The principals from our LWB schools

January 18, 2026

Bill and Kathy Musgrave provided an update on Tusonge Children's Ministries in Uganda, the organization they co-founded 11 years ago.

Our club, along with many of our members, has sponsored children through this program over the years, and Bill and Kathy once again conveyed their deep gratitude for that ongoing support.

Originally Rotarians from Kansas City, Kansas (specifically the Olathe Santa Fe club), Bill and Kathy spend their winters in Lake Worth Beach, where they have become active and valued visiting members of our local club.

The ministry's origins trace back 11 years, when a group of young Ugandan choir members touring area churches in the U.S. had all their funds stolen by someone from their organization in Uganda, who then vanished. In response, their local community—including their Rotary club—stepped up to provide immediate help.

Since then, Tusonge has made remarkable progress: building housing for the children, enrolling them in quality private schools (as public education options are inadequate), and now advancing plans to develop a full community campus that will include shops and a restaurant. Many of the program's early graduates are now returning to contribute by working with and mentoring the newer students.

As is always the case with such initiatives, ongoing financial support is essential. If anyone feels called to contribute or learn more about helping, please reach out.

https://www.tusongeministries.org

Bill & Kathy Musgrave and Pres. Chris Dabros

Megan Albertz Gonzalez (yes, Phil’s daughter), who teaches deaf and hard-of-hearing students at John I. Leonard High School, will take a team of her students to the national finals in a robotics competition, which they qualified for in only their second year.

Lorraine Hernandez, Treasurer, presented a donation of $500 on behalf of the Rotary Club of LWB to Megan to assist the students with their travel expenses.

Congratulations & Good Luck!!

CHUCKLES FOR THE WEEK

Scientifically, a raven has 17 primary wing feathers; the big ones at the end of the wing are called pinion feathers. A crow has 16. So, the difference between a raven and a crow is only a matter of a pinion.         (I know it’s bad)

Your Editors,

Pat Growney & Lorraine Hernandez

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Chartered December 23,1927

Motto: “Service Above Self”

Weekly Meetings:  Wednesdays at Noon

Location: The Irish Brigade - 621 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460

Board Meetings:  2nd Wednesday of the month at 11AM (open to all)

Rotary Year 2025-2026 Leadership

Rotary International President:  Francesco Arezzo

District 6930-District Governor:  Marcia Gaedcke

Area 7 Assistant District Governor:  Lorraine Hernandez

Lake Worth Beach Rotary Club Board Officers:

President:  Chris Dabros

President-Elect: Harry Wolin

Secretary:  Josh Nelson

Treasurer:  Lorraine Hernandez

Immediate Past President:  Amanda Cartwright

Board Directors:

Patrick Growney, Patrick Livingston, Dermot MacMahon & Frank Verney

Interact advisors:

Britt Feingold Lake Worth High School

Members—Joined Rotary—Classification

P.O. Box 1444      Lake Worth Beach, FL        33460

561-316-35650

Website:  LakeWorthBeachRotary.org