Rotary Club of Avon, Indiana

06/02/2026

Town of Avon - Ryan Cannon

05/26/2026

YOUTH EXCHANGE. Rotary has a worldwide reach, and one program that enhances that reach is Rotary Youth Exchange. District Chair of RYE Jennifer Dale visited our Avon club to give personal testimony about RYE and to offer an in-depth explanation about how it works. Before she was a Rotarian, Jennifer and her husband were asked by Muncie Rotarians to serve as a host family for an inbound student. They were uncertain, even reluctant, but after careful consideration, they agreed. They had such a positive experience that they have hosted several RYE students over the years. Then their youngest daughter declared she wanted to be an outbound exchange student and ended up spending her senior year in Peru. All of these rich experiences lead Jennifer to join Rotary and eventually to step into the District Director of RYE in 2022. When Jennifer speaks about RYE, she speaks from direct experience and sincere belief in the growth experience that it provides for students, for families and for Rotary Club sponsors. To be an inbound or outbound student, the applicant must be 15 to 18 1/2 years old prior to departure, must have a solid academic record, must be interviewed along with their parents about their motivation to participate and must be willing to share in the cost. Jennifer described the students who are most successful in this international experience as those who are outgoing, confident, somewhat independent from their parents and clear-eyed about taking on the challenges of learning a new language and culture. For clubs considering sponsorship, there is approximately an annual cost of $3500 to $5000. The benefits are many: creating future leaders, strengthening community ties, expanding Rotary's reach and impact, promoting service and volunteerism and encouraging global understanding. A RYE student will stay with usually 3 different families during their year-long experience with each family hosting for about 3 1/2 to 4 months. This year in Rotary District 6560, there are 3 inbound students from Brazil, Argentina and Hungary sponsored by Rotary Club of Brownsburg, Carmel and Muncie. All 3 are boys who are very interested in and skilled at soccer. Jennifer emphasized the comprehensive support given by the network of Rotary Districts in the Central States helps to insure a positive, safe experience for all involved. To learn more, go to www.studyabroadscholarships.org and use the "Contact Us" form.
Nathan D Francis Anne Engelhardt Sandi Hurst DeAnne Clifton Jayda Miller Sommers Rotary District 6560

05/26/2026

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Welcome to the 36th Annual Joe Dugan Golf Scramble Registration! Support a Great Cause While Enjoying a Day on the Greens Tee Off for Charity: Register for the Avon Rotary Golf Scramble! Secure Your Spot Ensure all fields are filled out accurately to confirm your participation. We look forward to se...

05/26/2026

05/20/2026

FINISHED BUSINESS... Some of the youth who were to be honored at our club's recent Evening of Recognition were unable to attend. So, at our last club meeting, we were proud to honor them. First, Rotarian Cindy Simmons presented our third $1000 scholarship to senior Avery McDavid, Drum Major of the award-winning Marching Black & Gold, Student Government leader, and National Merit Commended. Avery will be studying psychology and pre med at Indiana University. Next, Rotarian Pam Lyons recognized sophomore Frankie Moreno both for his selection to attend RYLA and the dedication and leadership he displayed serving as one of Interact Club's captains. Then 2025-26 Interact Club's Director of Rotary Partnership Jay Desai thanked Rotarians for their year-long support and engagement and then introduced the 2026-27 Director Frankie who will keep the connection going.
The youth segment of the meeting ended with Rotarians fully enjoying the annual AHS Interact Club's video produced by student Director of Publicity Grace Schenk. The creative video highlighted the comprehensive scope of service that Interact volunteers completed.

The meeting then shifted to Rotary business with a proposal presented by Rotarians Julia Brady and husband Tom Brady. Having been part of the Rotary Club of Sierra Madre, CA, the Bradys participated in a 10 year campaign to get a Rotary clock installed in the town square. With that success completed, they brought a Rotary clock purchase & installation proposal to our club. The site proposed would be in the Easton project, which would require Avon Town Council approval. The cost is estimated at approximately $20,000 which they compared to similar installations by Rotary in Danville and Plainfield. This project proposal included a funding campaign that would seek corporate sponsorship to carry the majority of the expense. For now, the clock remains a proposal to be considered further by members.

Rotary District 6560 Nathan D Francis Anne Engelhardt Sandi Hurst DeAnne Clifton Amy Olson O'Hearn Steve Blacketer

05/14/2026

Rotarians were delighted recently by our special guest Francie, who brought her partner Amanda Finney. They are a volunteer therapy dog team for Paws and Think, Inc., an organization that leverages the human-dog connection to provide support and healing to both humans and canines.

First, Paws and Think, Inc. board member Jennifer Coffee reviewed the various programs offered:
Paws to Heal – teams go to medical facilities
Paws to Read – teams listen to students read at schools and libraries
Paws to Comfort – teams help with disasters and grief
Paws Around Town – teams participate in social events or provide mental health days for organizations and schools

Dogs and handlers are rigorously trained and re-certified every two years.

A small organization with 2 full-time staff, 2 part-time staff and 4 contractors, Paws and Think relies on 266 volunteers who appeared 5,200 times for 7,200 hours changing 117,500 lives in 2025 alone. Funding comes primarily from grants, program revenues, fundraising and individual giving.

Additionally, they partner dogs that are not yet adoptable from animal control and the humane society with youth in the juvenile system who train the dogs to become therapy dogs. This training experience has a positive impact on the trainers as well as the dogs. So far, 495 dogs and 950 youth have improved their lives through this program.

For more information about this impactful program: www.pawsandthink.org

Rotary District 6560 Nathan D Francis Anne Engelhardt Sandi Hurst DeAnne Clifton Amy Olson O'Hearn Jayda Miller Sommers Steve Blacketer Ryan Sinclair

05/08/2026

16th ANNUAL EVENING OF RECOGNITION ROCKS! Every spring since 2010, our Rotary Club has invited the community to join us in celebration of service. We highlight the accomplishments of our Avon High School Interact Club with their student leadership through service. We also honor our District Speech winners and the student leaders who attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp. Then we present three $1000 scholarships to seniors who have distinguished themselves in leadership, academics and most of all service. Next, we offer a summary of the comprehensive ways our club has served need in the community. Finally, Rotarians who are Paul Harris Fellows are applauded right before the two big awards of the evening. Our members vote on a non-Rotarian who has
demonstrated distinguished and consistent community service. This year's Rotary Citizen of the Year is Chris Collier, voluntary President of Project A.N.G.E.L. Chris, his engaged board and a crew of dedicated volunteers work year round to ensure holiday joy for county families in need. Having graduated from Avon HS, Chris has a lifelong community connection that inspires him to be engaged in an impactful way! The last honor of the evening goes to a Rotarian who has lived out the motto "Service above Self" in an exemplary fashion. This year's Rotarian of the Year is Amy Olson O'Hearn, Co-Chair of Service who, along with her partner Sandi Hurst, finds all the ways we can meet the needs of the community. As a staff member at Sheltering Wings, Amy also keeps us updated on their needs & events. This Evening of Recognition was a pure celebration of the far reaching good that our Rotary Club of Avon is putting out there. Come visit us any Tuesday morning from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Avon Town Hall and feel the vibe!
Anne Engelhardt Jayda Miller Sommers Steve Blacketer Rotary District 6560 Ryan Sinclair Nathan D Francis DeAnne Clifton Meggan Bovitz Schenk Tom Brady

05/07/2026

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