It’s not every day that there’s an opportunity to be part of an international organization that has spent billions on life-changing projects, but the Rotary Foundation and its thousands of branches offer anyone and everyone a chance to change lives through service. While the Rotary International’s Foundation is committed to global educational and humanitarian efforts, the local Waynesburg Rotary club carries the same dedication to helping service projects on a communal level and beyond.
Mike Milinovich has been a proud member of the Waynesburg Rotary Club since 2014. He has been strongly involved with the club throughout his time, serving on the Membership, Foundation and Bylaws committees. From 2018-2019, Mike also served as President and will be stepping into the role again for the 2021-2022 year.
Since its inception, Waynesburg’s Club has contributed over half a million dollars to the Foundation’s cause – eradicating polio worldwide. On top of raising funds and spreading awareness of the overall Foundation’s cause, the Waynesburg Club heavily focuses its efforts on the local area as well.
“Our club serves the local community by providing grants and resources to other groups to help them accomplish their goals,” Mike says.
The club provides its services to a variety of organizations and groups from schools to foodbanks to hospitals.
“We support the Corner Cupboard food bank by volunteering to pack kids’ food bags, as well as sponsor a raised bed garden at their facility. We help the Chamber of Commerce with its Christmas Parade, which is a really fun time,” Mike adds. “We also provide for a multi-phasic blood testing program for folks of the county.”
Physical contributions are only half of their efforts. The other half comes in the form of scholarships, grants, education, programs, etc. Among their scholarships are two that are given to students from local high schools to assist in funding their higher education. These students have demonstrated their dedication to community service and education and promote the Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self”.
One of the club’s most popular fundraisers is Flags for Heroes program. For the Fourth of July every year, up to 120 full-sized flags are put on display along route 21 at the fairgrounds and airport. Each flag costs $50 and is attributed to a hero of the buyer’s choice.
“We like to leave the meaning of hero up to the individual – that is, it could be anyone from a military service person, to an EMT, a high school English teacher, a grandparent, or anybody that had a significant impact on your life,” Mike explains. “It is quite the sight to see that many flags waving in the sun as the wind ripples them in unison.”
Typically, meetings are held in-person at the Waynesburg Hampton Inn every Wednesday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 am and include a full American breakfast but are currently being held virtually due to the pandemic. The club hopes to return to in-person soon with the option to attend virtually.
Additional details about the Waynesburg Rotary Club can be found on their Facebook page.
