Happy 60th Birthday, Comstock Park Rotary!

The State of Michigan is not the only institution that celebrated a birthday today. (their 175th)  The Comstock Park Rotary celebrated their 60th birthday, and was honored to have the 94 year old only surviving charter member Martin Buth participate in the celebration.  Special speaker for the program was Martin's nephew Paul Buth, who in 2008 participated in "From Sea to Sea" a Bike Tour from Seattle to Jersey City.  Paul shared a slide show with highlights of the tour which covered 3,881 miles (6,246 kms).   Paul  was one of about 120 cyclists who completed the trip.  Between them, they raised over a million dollars for  hunger fighting causes. 

Marty Buth and President Dick Woodward

All in all, 10 past presidents and the current president attended today's meeting

Guest Jarred Sper (left) looks on with Rotarian Ed Hood

Brent Beuschel, Paul Buth and Marty Buth

Ed Hood, Doug Gordon and Bernie Spruit

  The Comstock Park Rotary Club and Foundation has paid for or contributed to a multitude of projects since 1952. 

 

·         Support for the eradication of Polio throughout the world through the RI PolioPlus Campaign.

Funding for Katrina relief through Rotary Clubs in South.  Replacement of library books for Erath High School, Vermillion, Louisiana.   $2,000

Comstock Park Rotary has joined other Clubs in District 6290 in contributing funds to build and install bio-sand filters to provide safe, clean water in depressed countries such as the Dominican Republic.   This is a continuing project since the need is so great.  Also relief to Haiti and Japan.

Support of Kenya ,ITC, providing computer training on an island  near Kenya

GROTTO PARK – VETERAN’S HOME, 2008

Restoration & ADA improvements to Grotto Park at the Grand Rapids Veteran’s Facility – 2008

      Cost  $500,000. Ongoing maintenance;  future enhancements planned

 KABOOM PLAYGROUND – 2010

A community-build project with York Creek Apartments, Amway and KaBoom, Inc.

 

INSTALLATION OF PLAYGROUND – WAHLFIELD PARK,  2005-2006

This Centennial project in celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of Rotary International, was completed in June, 2005 and dedicated on June 1, 2006.  Comstock Park Rotary raised $100,000, which was matched by $50,000 from Kent County Parks.  Wahlfield Park (250 acres) is located on the northwest corner of M-37 and 8 Mile Rd.

 

INSTALLATION OF WHEELCHAIR RAMPS ; REMODELING – 8 THANKSGIVING WISH PROJECTS 02-10

 

SCHOLARSHIPS; LEADERSHIP

 

Each year, four scholarships of $750 each are granted to two students from Kenowa Hills High School and two from Comstock Park High School.  Scholarships have been offered since 1984.  In addition, four students are offered the opportunity to attend Life Leadership Training each June. $1,400 Annually.

4-WAY TEST PLAQUES

The 4-Way Test is the standard of how we treat people and want to be treated.  We have installed 120  4-Way Test Plaques in all the classrooms, grades 5-12 at Comstock Park High School.  The test is as follows: 1. Is it the TRUTH?  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?   3. Will it build GOOD WILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED?

SOME OTHER PROJECTS OVER MANY YEARS

Community Nature Trail & Educational Environmental Center – Comstock Park High, $25,000

Hospice of Grand Rapids – 1992-1995 Bowl-A-Thons - $15,829.

Enclosed Band Trailer, Veterans Memorial & Flag Pole – Comstock Park High  $24,600

Northwestern Little League - $42,800                    -Dwight Lydell Park- $43,000

-Rotary Field – Varsity Ball Field                                -Tennis Courts & Lights

-Concession & Storage Building                                 -Water Wheel in Mill Creek

-All Backstops & Foul Line Fences                             - Benches in Park & at Bus Stop

-P/A System                                                               -Flag Pole & Flag

    -Team Sponsor Since 1952                                        -50/50 with Kent County Parks Depts.,           Restrooms                                                                                                     Pavilion, Playground Equip., Fish Pond

Santa Claus Girls Delivery, Since 2002

FUNDRAISING PROJECTS

• For many years, CP Rotary has held 3 Chicken Barbeques in Dwight Lydell Park in May , June  & July.
• Sponsored Bingo at Westgate Bowl in 70’s and 80’s
• Whitecap Games Fundraisers – Promoted by Pat Delaney
• Texas Holdem’ at Westgate since 2009.  (We handle the money and sell poker chips.)