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

Moving Day

November 12, 2025

Reminder: Tomorrow is moving day. At the conclusion of our regular meeting, we are going to load up all of our Rotary paraphernalia and transfer it to the new Senior Wellness Center. Tammy Bonifield and Bill Friske spent time this past Saturday organizing and packing up the majority of the items. Wayne Kinney has volunteered the use of his company van. All we need now are many hands to make the move go quickly. Besides our bins, we have a few rolling carts, our canopy, the Golf, Spaghetti, and Touch-A-Truck signage, our flags, and banners, among other items.

Member News

District 6400 Annual Foundation Celebration

November 06, 2025

Club members Nancy Darga, Sharon Pommerville, Susan Paluchniak, Erin Dobbins (and Matt), Tammy Bonifield, Bill Friske (and Rose), Tom Martin, Bob Carris, and Claude Kendrick enjoyed a terrific night out at the District 6400 Annual Foundation Celebration.

The purpose of Rotary's annual Foundation dinner is to celebrate the achievements of The Rotary Foundation, recognize the generosity of its donors, and inspire continued support and engagement for the Foundation's humanitarian projects.

Club member Tammy Bonifield was recognized at the Foundation Celebration as a Major Donor for her very generous contribution to The Rotary Foundation. Contributions like Tammy's are essential to securing and growing Rotary programs throughout the world.

Dear LAMR Club Members, We received a heartfelt thank you from the Rotary Foundation for our donation to their annual fund. These funds support projects around the world, acting like seedlings that sprout new growth where there is great need.

Surprisingly to me was finding out that only 6% of clubs contribute annually. We should be proud that we are among those who contribute to the backbone of Rotary International, helping to spread its impact.

Nancy Darga

Club Assembly

November 05, 2025

Livonia A.M. Rotary Club President, Nancy Darga, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a “memories” Invocation by Dave Stechholz.

Today was the second-last meeting of our LAMR at the current Senior Center; next week is our last before moving to the Livonia Senior Wellness Center (LSWC).

19 were in attendance, including 4 Zoomers and a guest, Steve Milne.

President Nancy shared to thank you letters from Seedlings Braille Books for Children and Shelter Box.

Amazingly, Nancy reported $44,905.68 in cash and $30,000 in pledges, but then suddenly more came in: $5,000 from Marsh McClelland, $2,000 from NYX, and another $5,000 pledged. We may be surpassing our $100,000 target. In order to further our “Rotary Park Re-

build" effort with our sister Livonia Noon Rotary Club, Claude Kendrick has graciously agreed to write up a script for members contacting businesses or individuals in soliciting donations. Nancy has asked the Committee members to make 10 solicitation contacts from our list.

Next week’s meeting, on November 12th, featuring a speaker from Schoolcraft College, will also include a “potluck” breakfast. Everyone, bring a treat or some breakfast goodie! Let’s go out of the “old” Senior Center in party mode!

A Committee meeting debriefing of our last month Rotary World Polio Day Community Spaghetti Dinner is scheduled for Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Panera Bread.

THE MOVE! Next Wednesday, after our meeting, will be a moving day, as we pack and move our supplies to the new LSWC adjacent to the Rec Center. We’ll be moving to one of the second-floor “Players Club” (card) rooms, with a storage room. See attached pics from a “tour” HERE, and this promotional VIDEO.

OUR FOUR-WAY-TEST SOCCER BALLS – This was the big item for this Club Assembly. We agreed not to use Rotary branding and to purchase a better-quality soccer ball, from Pakistan.

Two new languages will be added: Ukrainian and Tamil. A motion to order 1,000 balls with the two added languages and without the Rotary name was made, seconded, and approved.

At the invitation of the Mayor’s Office, Rev. Dave Stechholz will represent our Club at the Ribbon-Cutting for the new LSWC on Thursday, November 13th at 1:00 p.m. The Club decided not to participate in this year’s outdoor Deck-the-Rec at Greenmead (just for this year) but will participate in the “Merry and Bright” Christmas Holiday Parade on Sunday, December 7th, 4:00 p.m., with line up by 3:00 p.m.

Erin Dobbins had comments on the Grants Committee and the nature of grants as community, collaborative, or District Governor grants.

The Membership Directory has now had pictures taken of members at the UPS Store. Hurrah!!

On Wednesday, November 26th, we’ll have a Thanksgiving Breakfast at George’s Senate Coney Island restaurant, located on Haggerty Road, between 5 and 6 Mile, at 7:30 a.m. Though not a regular meeting, there will be some special happenings (list of accomplishments, PowerPoint on what we’ve done, etc.).

Greg Greene’s three jokes today were really good ones! The gang groaned happily, followed by the recitation of the Four-Way-Test, and adjournment.

Dave Stechholz

Upcoming Club Meetings

11/12/2025 - Stuart Baker, Schoolcraft College Foundation Board of Governors, Invocation by Mike Ladwig.

NOTE: We will be meeting at the new Livonia Senior Wellness Center beginning Wednesday, Novemebr 19th.

11/19/2025 - Linda Hollman, Livonia Cares, Invocation by Greg Greene.

11/26/2025 - Club Breakfast at George's Senate Coney Island, Haggerty Road between 5 & 6 Mile in Northville, Invocation by Victoria Haltom.

Join Us

VISIT OUR CLUB IN PERSON

We meet at the

Livonia Senior Center Complex

15218 Farmington Road

Livonia, MI 48154

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

All Are Welcome!

Upcoming Events

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

Past Meetings and Events

November 05, 2025 Newsletter

October 29, 2025