Coconut Grove Rotary installs new officers

Richard W. Martin II was sworn in as 2017-2018 President of the Rotary Club of Coconut Grove on July 11 by Past District Governor Ellen Blasi; the ceremony took place at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. Above,from left: Joe King VP, Randy Lakel Past President, Bob Gombosh Secretary, Richard W. Martin II President, Ellen Blassi Past District Governor, Phil Everingham Treasurer, Tim Crowther Sergeant at Arms.

Richard W. Martin II, President; Helene Dudley, Casa Colibri Board Member with a photo of the Mobile Medical Van purchased by the Rotary Club of Coconut Grove that is being used in Guatemala.

In his remarks to the assembled Rotarians, Martin emphasized Service Above Self, the spirit of Rotary. “It is an honor to be President of the Rotary Club of Coconut Grove; during my tenure I plan to continue our ongoing support of the Casa Colibri clinic and, on a local level, of Casa Valentina," he said.

The Rotary Club of Coconut Grove has provided missions and financial support to the Casa Colibri clinic in Nuevo Eden, Guatemala, serving the indigenous Mayan population. Last year, the club donated a medically equipped van to provide pre-natal care to the residents of the highlands of northwest Guatemala. The van is operated by a nurse practitioner who speaks the local dialect and who provides midwife training and performs free pre-natal care including screenings for birth defects such as club foot and cleft palate. 

Casa Valentina, located in Coconut Grove, serves youth who have aged out of the foster care system, giving them the care and support they need to reach their full potential.  It provides safe housing in its residential facility as well as life skills training and support services so that they can transition to independent living.  The Rotary Club of Coconut Grove has provided financial support as well as hours of hands-on volunteer work.

The Rotary Club of Coconut Grove provides service and financial support to initiatives within the community as well as to various international humanitarian  projects. Locally, it has funded after-school programs, youth sports, and health initiatives. Meetings are held every Thursday at 12:15 pm at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, 2990 S. Bayshore Drive.

Photos by Don Kesler