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Upcoming Events
2026 Emilio Ferrara United Way Golf Classic
Sep 25, 2026 11:30 AM

 

 

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/5202/Documents/en-us/51d137d8-272a-4248-9c26-350db903eabf/1/

2026 Emilio Ferrara Memorial United Way Golf Classic

Friday Sept 25 11:30 AM 

Windmill Lakes Golf Club

 

 

Please see Bill Childers with any questions.

billc@uwportage.org

330.297.1424 x5

 
Rotary Walk at Trail Lake
Oct 17, 2026 9:00 AM

Join Rotarians for a walk at Trail Lake Park, 605 Ravenna Rd in Streetsboro, on Saturday, October 17 at 9am. The park has a 1.5 mile fully paved loop, as well as a 1.5 mile loop that is partially paved, and part grass and gravel. There is a lake for fishing or boating as well. Feel free to bring family, friends, and dogs. No need to RSVP; just show up. 
Streetsboro
Trail Lake Park
Service Above Self Opportunities
Mobile Meals 
Shannon at Over Easy At The Depot makes 350 mobile meals every other Monday and is looking for volunteers to help package those meals. The next opportunity to help is Monday, September 14, from 1:30 to 3:30. Please text Shannon if you are available to help. 
(330) 322-1287
The Salvation Army of Portage County Red Shield Food Pantry 
The Salvation Army is in need of volunteers on the first Wednesday of each month for the  Red Shield Food Pantry. Located in the parking lot at 800 E Summit St Kent, OH 44242 ( Corner of E. Summit St & Horning Rd.)  
 
Time: 8:00AM - 11:00AM
 
September 2 , October 7 , November 4 , December 2.
 
Please reach out to Bill Childers 330-730-3458 or billc@uwportage.org
 
Kent Rotary Flag Program
The Rotary Club of Kent is excited to introduce the Kent Rotary Flag Program, and community-wide initiative designed to honor our nation, beautify our neighborhoods, and support meaningful local projects. Entirely volunteer-driven, this program offers residents and businesses a simple and patriotic way to celebrate America's most cherished holidays. Join us in creating a powerful display of unity across Kent - one flag at a time.
 
An annual subscription is $55, and the flag can be displayed at your home or business. 
Service Above Self Opportunities 
Service Above Self Opportunities — We’d love to highlight more ways for our members to get involved. If you have an opportunity to share, please email the details to mstewart@ht.bank so we can include it in our weekly email.
President's Remarks and Rotareminder
A Note From Our President
Thank you Will Underwood for inviting Fellow Rotarian Doug Hausknecht, from the Rotary Club of Akron and Ambassador to ShelterBox USA, to talk to us about ShelterBox.  In 2000, the idea for ShelterBox was hit upon by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in Cornwall, UK, when Rotary encouraged members to come up with projects to mark the Millennium. Twenty six years later, ShelterBox is one of the largest disaster response organizations in the world.  They have supported over 3 million people in around 100 countries.
 
Twenty six years ago, the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard saw a need for shelter after a disaster struck.  They envisioned being able to support families by quickly deploying the bare necessities needed to survive following a disaster: shelter, cooking supplies, water purification, blankets, and more.   Thus, what we have known for 20+ years as the ShelterBox was born.  One package aids a family's journey to recovery.  Over the years, ShelterBox has evolved and realized that the Box does not fit all needs.  Now they conduct a needs assessment prior to deployment, to ensure they are providing needed materials.
 
On average ShelterBox can deploy worldwide to any disaster within 24-48 hours.  For more information on ShelterBox visit shelterboxusa.org
 
If a club of 40 members can come up with such an impactful project that turns into its own charitable organization.  What could a club of 110 members do?
 
 
COCODa SUN and Water Coference:
 
This will be the fourth Sun and Water Conference.  Will Underwood and I attended the first one, and I have been able to attend the past two virtually.  We have the option to attend in person or virtually again this year.  The Conference will be held on October 3, 2026.  If you are interested in attending (virtually or in person), visit https://cocoda.org/event/sun-water-conference/  to sign up. I will be attending virtually.  If you have any questions feel free to call me at 330-322-2474.
 

Yours in Rotary Service,

Larry Lohman
Rotary Club Of Kent Rotareminder 
Rotaryminder   -- Mary Beth Harper
September 15, 2026
 
GUESTS:
Serra Gingrich, niece of Rachel Kerns.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
 
David McKeen shared a thank you note from one of the 4-H members awarded camp scholarships thanks to the Harry Longcoy Fund, which is administered by Rotary.
 
Kaleena Gharky announced the Recycle, Repurpose, ReStore contest and celebration on October 17.  See her for details.
 
Janice Simmons-Mortimer talked about the Portage Foundation online auction, which runs through September.
 
Bill Childers announced the sad news of the deaths of Charlie Thomas, owner of Ray’s and Lisa DuBois, whose father-in-law was longtime Rotarian Fred DuBois.
 
Larry Lohman encouraged members to complete the Youth Protection 10-minute training online.  Contact Larry, Todd Kamenash or Dave Myers for details. 
 
As part of the 250th celebration, Rotarians are planting trees and performing Acts of Kindness.  More details to follow.
 
On September 29, our meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the home of Sue Whiting, who generously offered to host a “Speak Easy.”  Larry will talk about the distilling industry, and tastings and appetizers will be served.  Only one ticket available.
 
STUDENT OF THE MONTH:
Roosevelt Principal Dennis Love introduced Brooklyn Frank and her parents Eva and Chad Frank.  Calling her an “exceptional leader and role model.” Love listed her numerous academic and athletic accomplishments, as well as leadership and volunteer roles.
 
PROGRAM:
 
Doug Hausknecht, member of the Akron Rotary, talked about ShelterBox, an international disaster relief charity providing emergency shelter after disasters.  Founded by the Rotary Club in 2000, Rotary support has helped transition it into an independent NGO.  Currently ShelterBox stores aid, including tents, tarps, rope and shelter kits, in different parts of the world so it can be moved quickly when disaster strikes.
 
Hausknecht encouraged Rotarians to support ShelterBox with financial contributions,  Visit ShelterBoxUSA.org.
 
Responder:  Kaleena Gharky
 
ROTARYMINDER AUTHOR:  Mary Beth Harper
 
 
Required Training for all Rotarians 
Friendly Reminder 
 
 Only around 50% of our members completed the training.
  • Youth Protection training is mandatory per the District and must be done annually
  • All current members have been sent an email to the address they have in ClubRunner to complete YP training
  • The email comes from NAYEN Training Administrator with a subject of Rotary District 6630 Training Course: Youth Protection Awareness
  • If you have not received an email, please look in your junk / spam folder. If you still cannot find it, please email Todd Kamenash at tkamenas@kent.edu
Example Email :
New Member Proposal
If you would like to propose someone for membership, please follow this link and complete the proposal form. 
Rotary Club of Kent eBulletin Submissions
Information in this eBulletin comes primarily from the Rotareminder, board meeting minutes, and stories submitted by members. 
 
If you have any Rotary stories, events or speaker information to benefit the Club, please submit it to rotarykentohio@gmail.com or mstewart@ht.bank . We will add it to the next appropriate eBulletin.
Upcoming Presenters
Sep 22, 2026
PDG Dale Smith
Membership/Disaster Response, and the Induction of the New Companion Club
Oct 06, 2026
Karin Coifman
KSU Brain Health Research Institute
Oct 13, 2026
Carla Goar
KSU's Community Engaged Research Institute
Oct 20, 2026
John Sankovic
KSU College of Aeronautics & Engineering
Oct 27, 2026
Ann Heiss
US presidential doctrines during the Cold War
Nov 10, 2026
Laurie Gaunter
Maplewood GED/Adult Education
Nov 17, 2026
Susan Hazel Rich
Hazelmade (Kent small business)
View entire list
Birthdays
Member Birthdays
Shannon Zemba
September 3
 
Tom Hall
September 5
 
Roger Sidoti
September 6
 
Scott Flynn
September 7
 
Todd Kamenash
September 9
 
Mark Pennell
September 13
 
Sherry Joy
September 14
 
Sue Whiting
September 15
 
Julien Mackerty
September 19
 
Candace Curtis
September 24
 
Club Information
Join us at the United Methodist Church of Kent!
Kent
Service Above Self
Tuesdays at 11:45 AM
United Meth. Church
1435 E. Main St.
Kent, OH 44240
United States of America
Phone:
(330) 678-2151
Send Email to Club
Mailing address: Rotary Club of Kent P.O. Box 6 Kent, Ohio 44240
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Executives & Directors
President
Amanda Senn
 
Co-President - Q1
Larry Lohman
 
President Elect
Jennifer Lennox
 
Treasurer
Matt Carter
 
Secretary
David McKeen
 
Membership Director
Nithya Venkataraman
 
Program Chair
Will Underwood
 
Service Projects Director
Rebekah Wright Kulis
 
Club Administration Director
Melissa Stewart
 
Ways & Means Director
Paul Organ
 
Foundation Liaison
Nancy Whitehead
 
Youth Exchange Officer
Ryan Brannon
 
Youth Protection Officer - Chair
Todd Kamenash