March 4, 2026-Rotary Club of Lake Worth Beach Newsletter

This past Friday, our club hosted a fantastic evening event called

"The Last One Standing"

a lively fundraiser featuring a raffle and plenty of fun!

President Chris kicked things off by announcing the program, while Robert Gonzalez was our DJ, and Josh Nelson handled the computer.

The highlight for many was the engaging trivia segment, expertly led by Cindy and Joe Ansell. As always, their questions and banter created lots of laughs, friendly competition, and great camaraderie among everyone there.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable night that brought our members and guests together for good causes—thank you to all who helped make it such a success!

   UPCOMING EVENTS:

2026-Future Events to Plan For:

April

Saturday, April 11

Picnic @ John Prince Park

March Celebrations

Birthdays

John Endruschat           March 2

Pat Growney                 March 6

Harry Wolin                 March 12

Anniversarys

Pat Growney                 15 March 2006

John Endruschat            20 March 1975

50/50 Drawing

The 50/50 drawing is $109, and there are 27 cards left in the deck

Speakers:

February 18, 2026

Last week, our guest speaker was Jane Richardson from Friends of Foster Children (based in Palm Beach County, Florida). This wonderful nonprofit organization is dedicated to fostering happy childhoods by enriching the lives of children impacted by foster care, while providing essential support, services, and education to children, caregivers, and families.

In 2025, they made a tremendous impact by serving thousands of children and families through their compassionate programs:

• Provided 2,817 children with essential clothing via their Clothing Closet, helping ensure dignity, warmth, and stability.

• Delivered Thanksgiving baskets to 300 families to make the holidays brighter and more meaningful.

• Brought joy and community connection to 551 families and caregivers at Foster Night at the Fair.

• Supplied 138 children with Halloween costumes for fun and normalcy during the season.

• Gave 1,337 children three special holiday gifts each, spreading joy, a sense of normalcy, and hope.

• Distributed 440 emergency bags filled with immediate essentials to children entering crisis situations.

Beyond these direct aids, Friends of Foster Children offers a wide range of ongoing support, including:

• Kinship Navigation — Guiding both relative and non-relative caregivers.

• Foster Navigation — Supporting current foster parents and helping recruit new ones.

• Resources and support specifically for fathers.

• Family Finding — Locating relatives or connections for potential placements.

• Navigating Adulthood — Workshops teaching essential life skills to young adults transitioning out of foster care.

• Background Screening — Ensuring child safety.

• A Donation Closet — Supplying school clothes, emergency items, birthday gifts, and holiday support.

Overall, they served an impressive 4,454 children last year.

To learn more about their work, volunteer opportunities, or how to get involved, visit their website: www.friendsoffosterchildren.com. Your support can help continue making a real difference in these children's lives!

March 25, 2026

Last week, our guest speaker was James Robbins, the dedicated leader of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) program at Lake Worth Community High School. He was joined by five outstanding AFJROTC cadets who recently participated in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program—a highly regarded Rotary International initiative designed to build leadership skills, confidence, and teamwork among young people through intensive workshops, activities, and group experiences.

The students shared inspiring insights from their RYLA experience, describing how it deepened their understanding of the essential skills and mindsets needed to become effective leaders. They highlighted key emphases such as:

• Effective communication with others

• Stepping up to take initiative and lead

• Building strong relationships by becoming not just a leader, but also a supportive friend and role model to those who follow

One of the cadets received the special honor of being invited back for a second year to serve as a "Family Leader", guiding a group of about 20 fellow participants. This prestigious role is extended to only a select few students, recognizing their demonstrated potential and maturity.

All the cadets enthusiastically agreed that RYLA is an exceptional program that will positively shape their approach to leadership roles—in school, in the AFJROTC program, and beyond—for years to come.

It was truly motivating to hear from these young leaders and see the impact of programs like RYLA and AFJROTC in developing the next generation. Thank you to Major Robbins and the cadets for sharing their stories with us!

February 25, 2026

RECAP

Last week, our club proudly presented funding to support two dedicated local educators—Heather Emerson from Highland Elementary School and Francheska Delgado from South Grade Elementary School—in attending a prestigious national conference focused on after-school programs. This professional development opportunity is not covered by the Board of Education, making our contribution especially meaningful in helping these teachers grow and bring back valuable insights to benefit their students.

The conference highlights best practices for high-quality after-school and summer programs that address the core needs of all children during non-school hours. These programs are designed to create safe, supportive environments where kids can engage in enriching, wholesome activities that promote academic growth, social-emotional development, creativity, and overall well-being.

By investing in our teachers' professional growth, we're helping ensure that our community's children continue to receive exceptional out-of-school-time experiences that complement their regular education and help them thrive. We're grateful to support educators like you who go above and beyond every day.

———

Last week, we were excited to hear an update from Frank Verney, a longtime leader in wildlife conservation who recently concluded his tenure at Lion Country Safari (where he served in roles including Interim Park Manager and was deeply involved with the AAZK chapter's conservation efforts).

Frank is now launching a new not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting endangered animal species, with a particular focus on animals such as giraffes and penguins.

He plans to host fundraising events later this year to kickstart the organization's work and build community support. More details and upcoming opportunities to get involved, will be shared as they become available.

Stay tuned for more!

CHUCKLES FOR THE WEEK

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