Additional recipients of this year's Special Projects Grants are: United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties, receiving support for two important efforts that directly benefit people in our community.

Rotary's funding helped support United Way's Day of Caring, which brings volunteers together to lend a hand to local organizations and complete meaningful projects throughout our community. Funding also supported hygiene kits, helping provide essential personal care items to individuals and families who need them.

We're proud to partner with United Way and support projects that bring people together, meet everyday needs, and make a difference right here in our community!

McMillan Memorial Library, received funding to help expand its collection of Wonder Books that offer read-along books with built-in audio.

These special books allow children to listen to the story as they follow along with the printed book, creating a fun and engaging reading experience. Rotary's support will help the library grow this collection, giving even more children and families access to an interactive way to enjoy books, build reading skills, and develop a love of reading.

We're proud to support McMillan Memorial Library and their continued efforts to make reading engaging and accessible for young readers throughout our community!

Last week's Rotary speaker was Jen Farmbrough from ODC, who joined us to share more about their Co-Responder Program and the important role it plays in our community.

Jen works alongside local first responders on calls involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Her role begins right at the scene, where she works with officers and other responders to help assess the situation, provide support, and connect individuals with the appropriate resources. But the support doesn't end when the call is over. Jen also follows up with individuals afterward, helping with referrals, connecting them to services, and making sure they have continued support moving forward.

It was incredibly interesting to learn how this partnership brings together law enforcement, first responders, and mental health resources to better serve people during some of their most difficult moments.