WELCOME to the newsletter of the Rotary Club of Livonia AM. Our club meets weekly to socialize, discuss the needs of our community and the world around us, and take action to address those needs. Please consider visiting our club or joining us on a service project.

All Are Welcome!

Meeting Notice and Club News

Our Last Meeting of 2025

December 17, 2025

Club President Nancy Darga reminds us that "this Wednesday's meeting is our last meeting of 2025. Let's fill it with holiday cheer. Please bring something simple to share instead of buying our usual donuts".

Member News

Club Meeting Featuring Chris Dougherty, President, Madonna University

December 10, 2025

The meeting was presided over by Present Nancy Darga with the

Invocation by Rev. David Stechholz. Sharon Pommerville led Happy Bucks.

It was noted that our club member, Bill Fried, is in the hospital.

Participation in the Livonia Merry & Bright Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting was fun - thanks to all of the club members who were present and passed out candy along the route. Special thanks to Tammy Bonifield for providing her truck and the Rotary blow-up wheel. Tammy has a new title, "Roadrunner".

President Darga shared correspondence and reported on the current fundraising for Rebuild

Rotary Park. The current cash donation is $52,888.00 and does not include expected additional contributions by the Livonia AM and Noon Clubs.

The Club is settling into our new meeting room at the new Senior Wellness Center. Storage was an issue, and it has been decided to rent a storage unit. Certain members are looking into size, location, and cost, but in the meantime, the senior center demanded that we remove most of our club’s stuff, so finding a storage unit is imperative.

Important dates to add to your calendar before the New Year is the last club meeting before Christmas on December 17th. For this meeting, please bring a morning-type food item to share. No meeting on Dec. 24th or Dec. 31st.

However, we will celebrate Christmas and the New Year together at Dave Stechholz’s home on Tuesday, December 30th at 6:00 PM.

Chris Dougherty, President, Madonna University

Today’s speaker was the President of Madonna University, Chris

Dougherty. Chris has a history of working for Catholic institutions and foundations, and became Madonna’s president in 2023. He is married with two adult daughters and lives in Plymouth.

Chris gave a general overview of

Madonna’s contributions to the community and some notable accomplishments. As president, he is very proud of Madonna’s range of

educational programs. Madonna is best known for their nursing program, but has expanded areas of education to include: Animal studies, a Broadcast and Cinema Arts Program, and other programs. Enrollment is increasing, and there were 300 freshmen in 2025.

Madonna University is one of four Catholic institutions in Michigan, founded by the Felician Sisters in 1937. Madonna currently has 500 residential students, is a member of the NAIA, and has 750 student athletes.

Remember: Last meeting for 2025 is Wednesday, December 17th - bring a

treat!

Marlene Katafias

Stevenson HS Interact Club

December 11, 2025

Smiles abound and cheerful chatter filled the room as the members of the

Stevenson High School Interact clubs gathered.

Claude Kendrick and I attended the meeting in support of the group, which is just getting started in developing the club.

Yara Hasan, the Co-Chair of the club welcomed us and explained that the meeting was set up to be a fun activity, not a meeting to discuss official actions.

The members were going to make Christmas ornaments from beads and pipe cleaners for the school.

Claude Kendrick explained the need to host some fund-raising event in support of their desire to set up projects. One idea they mentioned was setting up a run through the school. Claude encouraged their idea and suggested they look at generating sponsorships for the Fun Run.

Pipe cleaners and beads were passed among them as they gleefully talked

with each other while making ornaments. The gathering ended shortly after 3:00 PM, as many of the students had to meet their rides home. Both Nancy and Claude talked in the parking lot afterwards, expressing how impressed they were with the student’s energy and willingness to move forward. Special thanks to Dave Burton, who agreed to sponsor the group, Rev. Dave Stechholz, Wayne Kinney, and Drew Buatti (Livonia Noon Club), who agreed to support the Club's activities and meetings.

Nancy Darga

Both Nancy Darga and I arrived unexpectedly, each thinking we were attending solo, and we were pleasantly surprised to find one another there to support the club.

As Nancy Darga and I watched the 12–15 students work, we took the opportunity to talk with them about purpose and how service projects and fundraisers can make a real impact in their community.

When we asked whether they had been thinking about their goals for the year, the students shared several thoughtful ideas for service and engagement. We assured them that the Livonia AM Rotary Club is ready to provide support in any way they need.

Nancy Darga introduced herself, explained why she, as a polio survivor, joined Rotary, and asked the students why they did. Many of them explained they were inspired by the Churchill High School Interact Club and they wanted to do service projects like them. Nancy shared her “Big Why.” The personal story of how she became a Rotarian and what Rotary continues to mean in her life. Her message clearly resonated with the students.

I left the meeting encouraged by what I saw: a thriving, enthusiastic Interact Club filled with potential. It also raised an important question? What more can the Livonia AM Rotary do to help make this a club of choice for Stevenson High School students?

Now is the time for us to step in with guidance, structure, and mentorship to help cultivate our future generation of Rotary leaders. The energy is there. The interest is there. With our support, the possibilities are tremendous.

Claude Kendrick

Upcoming Club Meetings

12/17/2025 - Tammy Bonifield, District 6400 Membership Presentation, Invocation by Mike Ladwig.

12/24/2025 - No Meeting, Merry Christmas!

12/31/2025 - No Meeting, Happy New Year!

01/07/2-026 - Club Assembly

01/14/2026 - Veronica Cruz, President, Breaking Barriers For Kids And Families.

01/21/2026 - Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation at City of Livonia.

Join Us

VISIT OUR CLUB IN PERSON

We meet at the new
Livonia Senior Wellness Center

32001 Five Mile Road

Livonia, MI 48154

Every Wednesday, 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

All Are Welcome!

Visitors and friends are encouraged to sign on and participate. Please introduce yourself to the group when recognized at the start of the meeting.

Upcoming Events

12/30/2025 - Livonia AM Rotary Christmas Party at the Stechholz home, 6:00 PM, Details to Follow.

01/27/2026 - Social Outing with the Livonia Noon Club, at the Italian American Club on Five Mile, Details to Follow.

03/02/2026 - Grant Management Seminar #1, via Zoom, 7:00-8:30 PM. Once you register, you will receive a meeting link. Register HERE.

03/12/2026 - Grant Management Seminar #2, via Zoom, 7:00-8:30 PM. Once you register, you will receive a meeting link. Register HERE.

05/01/2026 - District Conference at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Registration Details HERE.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

12/16/2025 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

03/16/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

06/15/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

09/21/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.