Eddy Bond Memorial Baseball Game

The Eddy Bond Memorial Baseball Game Outing will be on July 22nd.  We'll be in the Paul Davis Pennant District.  Tickets are $40, and include the all you can eat buffet that is open until 1 hour after the first pitch.

Club Survey

Last Friday we conducted a club member survey to better understand both the new member experience and how members feel about the club today. Overall, the results were very encouraging.  

Most members joined Rotary for a combination of reasons — giving back, fellowship, networking, and community — with “all of the above” being by far the most common response.  

Members generally felt the club was welcoming when they joined, scoring over 4 out of 5, and most members said it was easy to get involved with committees and activities.  

The survey also highlighted some areas where we can continue improving. Several responses suggested strengthening the mentor program, helping newer members connect with more people, encouraging members to sit at different tables, and making sure new members have time to find the level of involvement that works best for them.  

Current members generally reported that they do feel they make a difference in the club, and most do not feel overwhelmed by club expectations.  

Thank you to everyone who participated. The feedback gives us a valuable snapshot of where we’re doing well and where we can continue making the club even stronger and more welcoming.  If you missed the opportunity to give feedback please reach out to Dan Cricks or Jerry Balint to share your thoughts.

Speaker

Tammy Thompson, Executive Director of the Changing Lives Foundation, shared the organization’s mission of providing hope, compassion, and emergency financial assistance to individuals and families facing sudden crises such as house fires, car accidents, unexpected loss of loved ones, and serious illnesses.

The foundation was established in 2018 after founder Kelly Price recognized the need for a broader support system beyond an employee assistance program. What began as help for employees evolved into a nonprofit serving people throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Tammy explained that the foundation typically responds within 24 to 48 hours and provides grants averaging about $6,000. In 2025, the organization awarded 22 grants. She shared several examples of people helped by the foundation, including:

• Two Ohio families displaced by a duplex fire who lost everything.
• A woman seriously injured in a head-on collision in Las Vegas whose family needed housing nearby during her hospitalization.
• A Strongsville single mother undergoing breast cancer treatment who needed help covering expenses while unable to work.
• A California resident whose apartment was destroyed by fire and who faced possible homelessness.

The foundation raises funds through individual and corporate donors, sponsorships, raffles, fundraising events, merchandise sales, and matching gift programs. Tammy highlighted a recent 50/50 raffle that raised over $10,000 and emotionally described calling the winner, a Strongsville woman who was deeply grateful for the unexpected support.

Upcoming fundraising efforts include a pancake breakfast in August and the foundation’s first large gala fundraiser on October 5 at the Aviator.

Tammy also shared her personal journey to the nonprofit. After leaving a stressful corporate career for health reasons, she began volunteering extensively with the foundation before eventually accepting the role of Executive Director. She described the work as her true purpose and emphasized the importance of community partnerships, volunteers, donors, and referrals for people in crisis.

The presentation concluded with questions from attendees about volunteer opportunities, community partnerships, and how grant recipients are identified. Tammy encouraged members to help spread awareness of the foundation’s mission and refer individuals experiencing sudden hardship.