Presentation Topic: Early Literacy: Books for Kids
The summary is: Reading with young children is proven to make a big difference to their future success. Children who grow up with books in their home do better in school and life, and the number of books in the home directly impacts their future achievements. Books for Kids is a new initiative in Stark County to put books in the hands of children in our own community.
Mary Ellen Icaza is an innovative library leader who is fervent about making library services accessible for all. She has expertise in strategic planning, community engagement, and library technology, and is passionate about early childhood literacy – a passion that extends into her personal life.
With more than 15 years of experience serving diverse populations, Mary Ellen has a stellar track record of community collaboration to form lasting and beneficial partnerships. She is thrilled to work with the Stark Library team and Board of Trustees, and to learn from Stark residents, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and governments about how the Library can expand its current offerings, services, and activities to delight patrons and proactively meet the changing needs of the community.
Mary Ellen sees libraries as vibrant and dynamic centers of the community. She believes that libraries must re-imagine themselves to not only meet the learning and information needs of the community, but to transform the individual library experience to engage, surprise, and inspire creativity and lifelong learning in its patrons.
In 2018, Mary Ellen was honored with the EPIC Award for Education from Montgomery Community Media, which recognizes leaders for excellence in creating and sharing within the community. In 2004, she was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker and was selected as a participant in the 2015 American Library Association Leadership Institute.
Prior to joining Stark Library, Mary Ellen led educational programming, community outreach and special events for Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) in Maryland, a large urban county near Washington, DC. She represented MCPL to county and state government agencies, local schools, partners, and elected officials, and managed nine of the library system’s 21 branches. Her programming expertise includes workforce development, business, early literacy, summer reading, children’s, teens’, and adults’ and programs for the under-served in the community.
Previously, she was the Virtual Services Program Manager for MCPL, responsible for the development and implementation of all web and social media communications and new technologies for the library system. She led the system-wide development of an interactive online summer reading program that is now used by over 200 libraries across the country. She also worked in web communications and project management in education and government.
Mary Ellen earned a Master of Library Science from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in English (Magna Cum Laude) from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
Mary Ellen, her husband Javier and their children, Christian and Victoria, reside in Plain Township and are thrilled to be a part of the Stark community and excited about this new chapter in their lives.
Congratulations to Rotarian Justin Candea and his wife, Hannah, on the birth of their second child, Mia Sylvia Candea. Mia was born on October 19th and weighed in at 6 lbs 4 oz and was 19" long.
Thank you to Rotarian Craig Young (aka Grandpa) who provided us with these beautiful family photo's!!
The Club recently had two opportunities to put its Rotary logo of "Service Above Self" into action. Below you will find some of the photo's taken during the Stark County Hunger Task Force volunteer day as well as the Salvation Army Bell Ringing. Thank you to all who took time out of their busy schedules to help these two very worthwhile community organizations.
Rotarians, it is once again the time of year when we recognize and reward the exceptional service we receive from the volunteers at St. Haralambos Church.
Many of you may not be aware that these folks come in every week and donate their time. They do not get paid to prepare the food, set up the facility, serve our members or stay after the meeting to clean up.
Your monetary expressions of appreciation for these folks will be collected once again this Friday, December 20th. This will be your last chance to show your appreciation. Any amount is appreciated! Just look for the "tip" containers which will be located on the attendance table.
During this Friday's Holiday Rotary meeting, we will be having a "SWEET" Dessert Drawing, where you will have the opportunity to win a variety of donated dessert items – ex. cookies, breads, pies, and cakes, which will make for a "sweet" fundraiser!
Rotarian Becky “Sugar Plum Fairy” Clark is chairing this new and tasty event, so if you would like to donate a tasty pastry, please reach out to Becky at (330) 715-8199 and let her know what you plan to bring!
Here is how this auction will work: we are asking each Rotarian to bring their favorite culinary/Holiday sweet treat to be raffled away.*Please note, you do not need to be a "Martha Stewart" to participate....you are permitted to visit your nearest bakery and purchase an item or two and bring to the meeting on the 20th to be auctioned off!!
You have several options to participate in this event:
Donate a store-bought dessert or make one of your families special Holiday treats for the auction;
Not a baker, no problem, just purchase enough raffle tickets to win one, two or even more than three items to take home with you to share at your Holiday gathering;
Are you the person who wants to "have his/her cake and eat it too"? Do both of the steps above!!!
When you arrive to the Dec 20th meeting, you will be able to purchase your raffle tickets at a cost of $1 = 2 ticketsor$5 = 12 tickets. You will then place your tickets in containers in front of each dessert: you can split up your tickets into multiple containers to try and win as many treats as possible, or load up one container to improve your odds for the special treat you really want. The more tickets you buy and place with the dessert, the better your chances. All proceeds will benefit our Rotary Charitable Fund.
**Remember to contact Becky at (330) 715-8199 and let her know what you plan to donate. She will need to prepare a description of your item as well as have enough tables set up to accommodate all the tasty treats we hope to receive!
It's the "GIVING" time of year and that means our annual "Pack the Bus" event is this Thursday!!
The Rotary Club of Canton has joined forces with the McKinley High School Band and will partner the 3rd Annual "Pack The Bus" event. We are very excited to help as many children and their families over the Holiday season as we can. The collection date will be held this Thursday, December 19th from 10 am - 5 pm. Bring your non-perishable food items, new clothing and hygiene supplies to the Zimmerman Symphony Center, 2331 - 17th St. N.W., Canton (located next to the McKinley High School). The McKinley High School Band Director and volunteers from the Rotary Club of Canton will be on hand with the band's equipment trailer to collect and transport the collected items to a Canton City Elementary School where the items will be unloaded and sorted so they can be distributed to the children in need.
*With members of the McKinley Band performing for our annual Holiday program on Friday, December 20th, the Band Director will also bring the band equipment trailer to the Krassas Event Center that day for any non-perishable food or clothing donations Rotarians might want to make that day.
Here's how you can help:
Donate Items. We are looking for non-perishable food items, new clothing and hygiene supplies for the children of Canton. All non-perishable food items are welcome as well as clothes (coats, hats, gloves, pants, shirts, boots, shoes, underwear and socks) size Small to Large. Hygiene supplies include toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and soap.
Donate Money. Any money donated will go to purchase items not received during the drive. Checks can be made payable to Canton Rotary Charitable Fund and sent to 116 Cleveland Ave. N.W., Suite 307, Canton, Ohio 44702.
By the way, did you know the Canton City School District's poverty rate is near 100%?!?! This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in a young child's life to provide them with food in their bellies, clothes on their back and the opportunity to have a toothbrush/toothpaste and shampoo/soap for their personal hygiene over the holiday season.
Download the flyer here and give to your friends, co-workers or a community location to help get the word out.
Please contact PP Michelle Mullaly with any questions or if you are interested in volunteering. She can be reached at 330-452-3434 x603.
NEWS FLASH: President Elect Drew Pelger has announced that if (WHEN?) he reaches his Charitable Fund Drive monetary goal of $12,000, he will participate in one of the local "POLAR BEAR PLUNGES"...brrrrr.
If you're not familiar with a "Polar Bear Plunge", it is when otherwise sane people decide to jump into a freezing cold body of water in the middle of winter! YIKES!
The President Elect plays a very important role in the Club as he leads the annual Charitable Fund Drive to raise money to fund our myriad community service projects. Throughout each Rotary year, we provide important funding for projects such as Rotary Scouts, Junior Achievement, Student Scholarships, and the Philomatheon Society, to name just a few.
Please feel free to contact the Rotary office to make a contribution to this important Charitable Fund drive on your credit card. You can also mail a check payable to the Canton Rotary Charitable Fund to 116 Cleveland Ave. N.W., Suite 307, Canton, OH 44702.
At the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) conference, students really enjoy receiving goody bags with giveaways provided by District 6650 Rotary Clubs.
If you have a promotional item from your business that you would like to contribute, please give them to Rotarian Jennifer George by the end of January and she will deliver items from our members to the RYLA leadership.
Please note the following guidelines:
· These bags are for 16-17 year old students. They like pencils (especially mechanical ones), highlighters, post-it notes, key chains, small toys, playing cards, Frisbees, fast food coupons, gum, candy bars, etc.
· Please NO political giveaways. We will not use them.
· Please NO CAFFEINATED snacks or drinks. We cannot distribute them for safety reasons.
· You will need 100 of any one item so that every bag gets the item.
Thank you for helping to support this wonderful leadership opportunity for our youth!
During the offsite meeting held at Goodwill Industries on Friday, December 6, 2019, President Mark Rojek welcomed the 27 members and 3 guests to the meeting.
Rotarian Chris Burt provided the Invocation.
Congratulations to Rotarian Dave Schrade for having the winning 50/50 ticket worth $28.00.
Rotarian Bruce Hale filled in for a travelling Club Secretary Julia Dick and welcomed the following guests to the meeting: Maureen Ater (speaker); Erika Schrade (guest and daughter of Dave Schrade); Eric Wood (guest of Dave Schrade).
President Mark then informed the members it is once again the time of year when we recognize and reward the exceptional service we receive from the "VOLUNTEERS" at St. Haralambos Church. Many of you may not be aware that these folks come in every week and donate their time. They do not get paid to prepare the food, set up the facility, serve our members or stay after the meeting and clean up. Your monetary expressions of appreciation for these folks will be collected again on Dec. 13th and Dec 20th.
President Elect Drew Pelger then reminded everyone about the Charitable Fund Drive and thanked them for their consideration of this vital drive which helps support the Club's work in the community.
Vice President Mark Clendenin introduced the speakers for the meeting: Anne Richards, Canton Rotarian and CEO/President of Goodwill Industries, as well as Maureen Ater, Vice President of Marketing & Fund Development at Goodwill.
President Mark concluded the "official" portion of the meeting with speakers and announcements and began the second part of the meeting which consisted of Rotarians and guests participating in one of two service projects which helped the Stark County Hunger Task Force. One group helped with organizing and stocking products on shelves. The second group helped make Holiday greeting cards to be given to children prior to their school break.
**The following Rotarians will receive a makeup for their "Service Above Self" to the Stark County Hunger Task Force on December 6th: President Mark Rojek, Vice President Mark Clendenin, Jim Molnar, Bill Sparks, Dave Schrade, Anne Richards, Bruce Hale, Becky Clark, PDG/PP Bob Pattison, Steve Fettman, Bill Maddox, Kurt Goodenberger, Tim Furbay, Mike Abbott, Greg Luntz, Paul Hervey and Sergeant-at-Arms Bob Matthews.
The following announcements were made to conclude the meeting:
please remember to support the Charitable Fund Drive
if you have signed up for the Salvation Army Bellringing, members were reminded that the next day, Saturday, December 7th, was the volunteer date
The following Rotarians turned in a makeup during Friday's meeting: Bill Maddox (Perry and Jackson); Mark Clendenin (Warren, Lorain + 2 more).
The following Rotarians will receive a makeup for their "Service Above Self" during the Salvation Army Bellringing held on December 7th at the Giant Eagle on the Strip: Chairman James Boggs, Vice President Mark Clendenin, PP Amanda Tietze, PP Craig Young, Bruce Hale, Chuck Smith, Bruce Schorsten, David Roberts, Bob Matthews, Don Sultzbach, Jim Molnar, PP Fritz Spring, PP Dan Matthews, Suzette Matthews, PP Jack Barkan, Lynn Hamilton, PDG/PP Bob Pattison, and President Mark Rojek.
December 13, 2019
Congratulations to Rotarian Justin Candea and his wife, Hannah, on the birth of their second child, Mia Sylvia Candea. Mia was born on October 19th and weighed in at 6 lbs 4 oz and was 19" long.
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Rotarians, it is once again the time of year when we recognize and reward the exceptional service we receive from the volunteers at St. Haralambos Church.
It's the "GIVING" time of year and that means our annual "Pack the Bus" event is this Thursday!!
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During the offsite meeting held at Goodwill Industries on Friday, December 6, 2019, President Mark Rojek welcomed the 27 members and 3 guests to the meeting. 
