Building Sustainable Eye Care for the Underserved in Haiti
Dr. Anshu Chandra Rotarian, Niskayuna Rotary (New York)
Dr. Anshu Chandra, a graduate of SUNY College of Optometry, has dedicated her life to providing eye care to underserved populations. She has worked in 12 countries, delivering eye care to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, all as a fully unpaid volunteer. In 2015, Dr. Chandra founded an eye clinic with the Bay Eye Charitable Foundation (BECF) in Fond-des-Blancs, Haiti, a rural area with no access to eye care. Dr. Chandra will discuss her journey, the clinic’s profound impact, the ongoing crisis, and the urgent need for funds to build a permanent facility to secure the program’s future.
Lunch: Hungry Howie's
Meeting Location: Mason County Historical Society
Meeting help needed: Lunch money collection, 50/50 ticket sales, set up and teardown.
Walk to End Alzheimer's - Julee has set up a Rotary Club of Ludington Team page for the walk on October 3. More info below.
Flash Project for COVE - more info below.
Healing vibes needed for Debbie Howie. Debbie had knee replacement surgery.
Happy $
Mary Lou announced that the Petunia Watering Truck campaign has reached over 50% of the goal.
Steve and Cathy Hunt recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary!
Presentations
District 6290 presented the Rotary Club of Ludington with a Club Excellence Award. Immediate Past District Governor Mark Andresky noted that we are the only Club who received this award for the 2025-2026 Rotary year. President Bob presented the award to Past President Debra and congratulated her on leading the Club for a successful year.
President Bob presented Lynn Gerould with a Paul Harris +5 recognition. Five sapphires!
Club Assembly
Treasurer Dan reviewed Club financials for the 2025-2026 Rotary year.
Major income items include Auction, Elephant Ears, Membership Dues and Community Foundation Distribution.
Major expense items include RI/District/Club Runner, STRIVE, Scholarships, and operating expenses.
The Club has both a 501c3 and 501c4 entity. The Club operates from the 501c4 checking account. Half of our operating expenses are fixed. The number of our members greatly impacts our budget. We have 57 members today, down from 67 at the beginning of the year. Fundraising is subsidizing our operating expenses. This fiscal year, we will need $7,000.00 to break even.
Thank you, Dan and Kim for carefully managing our finances.
Pics: Steve B.
We will be collecting items for COVE at our weekly meetings until August 27.
The Rotary Club of Ludington is accepting Proposals for a Local District Grant.
The Rotary Club of Ludington plays an important role in supporting local organizations that advance the public good, foster innovation, and address community needs. This Request for Proposal (RFP) aims to solicit applications from eligible entities seeking funding for sustainable projects and programs. Eligible entities do not include individuals, families or for-profit organizations. We prioritize projects that provide benefits beyond the year in which the grant is awarded, that demonstrate measurable outcomes, support one or more of our Areas of Focus, involve active participation by Rotary members, or are sponsored by a member of Rotary. We will not consider projects for the operating, administrative, or indirect program expenses of another organization. Contact Bob Vipond for information.
President Bob
District/Global Grant Training
This will be a good opportunity to learn all about the District Grant Management process and to get certified for the Club. I will plan to attend this seminar and invite you to attend also.
President Bob
Grant Management Seminar - Join Us Live on August 10th
If your club plans to apply for a District or Global Grant, we invite you to join Linda Falstad and Mark Andresky for a Grant Management Seminar on Monday, August 10, at 7:00 PM via Zoom.
The seminar is expected to last 60–75 minutes and will provide the information your club needs to meet the Grant Management Seminar requirement.
What You Need to Know
Date: Monday, August 10
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Zoom:
Topic: Grant Management Seminar - 2026 Grant Cycle Time: Aug 10, 2026 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
The session will be recorded and made available afterward for anyone who is unable to attend the live presentation.
During the seminar, we will display a QR code that links to a mandatory Google Form Quiz. This quiz must be completed and submitted for your club to satisfy the Grant Management Seminar requirement and qualify to submit a grant application.
While the recording will be available, we strongly encourage you to attend the live session. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions, hear questions from other clubs, and participate in the discussion. If there is significant interest, we may also offer additional live Zoom sessions.
We look forward to helping your club prepare for another successful year of Rotary grants!
Mason County Walk to End Alzheimer's 10/3/26
Join us for a casual evening of connection as we begin another Walk season together. Stop by to pick up your Team Captain materials, register, meet other participants, get fundraising ideas, and learn what's new for this year's Walk.
Whether you've walked for years or are just getting started, we'd love to see you there. Every walker, every team, and every story makes a difference in the fight to end Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's has hurt so many families, and we must stop it from hurting more.
That’s why I’ve joined the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, and I invite you to join me. I’m participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s to raise funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
There's strength in numbers! When you join my Walk team, we'll stand strong against the disease that's taken too many of our loved ones too soon. It’s easy to get started, and I’m here to help you every step of the way. Just visit my webpage and click the link to join my team.
I hope you’ll take this opportunity to help end Alzheimer’s. Joining my team or making a donation would mean so much to me and to all those facing this relentless disease.
August 13 - Jim Rosborough, Longtime NCAA basketball and tennis coach Lunch meeting at Epworth
August 20 - Ashley McPike, Miss Ludington Area 2026
August 27 - Elizabeth Dilg, Mason County Walk to End Alzheimer's
September 3 - Club Picnic - This is an evening gathering. We will not have a lunch meeting.
Ludington Auto Club - Cars & Coffee Events
August 9 - Furrin Group Autocross @ WSCC - 10am-1pm
August 23 - NAPA Auto Parts, Ludington - 10am-1pm
Contact Rotarian Nathan Sheldon for more info.
West Shore Civic Band Howard Hornung/Tom Thomas Memorial Band Concert.
Monday, August 10, 2026, 7:00 p.m., Waterfront Park. Friends, family and past students of local band directors, Mr. Hornung and Mr. Thomas, will play with the Band. Come enjoy the concert! Questions: Suzy Koths.
Lunchis $12.00.Credit Cards are accepted!
August 8 - Petunia Weeding
August 8 & 9 - Elephant Ears
August 10 - District Grant Training - Zoom - 7:00 p.m.
August 19 - Club Board Meeting - Noon - Red's Room, Jamesport
August 22 - Petunia Weeding
August 27 - Flash Project for COVE - last day to bring items
September 3 - Club Picnic - Rotary Park
September 12 - Petunia Removal Day
September 19 - Highway Cleanup
October 3 - Mason County Walk to End Alzheimer's - 9:00 a.m.
