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Club #69
Serving the Richmond Community
Since 1913
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November 2026
Volume 26 Issue 11
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Toys for Tots:
Bringing Holiday Cheer
2026 Toys for Tots Collection December 8
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As the holiday season approaches, let’s put the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" into action as we partner with the Marine Corps to host a holiday toy drive. Our official Toys for Tots collection day will take place on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, during our regular weekly meeting so plan now to bring a new, unwrapped gift to that meeting.
Most Requested Gift Ideas:
• For younger children: Action figures, fashion dolls, toy cars, and soft plush toys.
• For older kids/teens: Board games, sports equipment, creative craft kits, and science sets.
Let’s work together to make this year's Toys for Tots collection a great one!
| | Whether you are relatively new to the club or a long-serving member, The Rotary Club of Richmond has been serving Richmond for more than a century; do you have your copy of this history? Copies are now available; $20 soft copies; $30 hard copies. | |
Volunteer Opportunities
Service Above Self
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Volunteer Opportunity:
Meals on Wheels
Grab a buddy and/or make a new friend! Meals on Wheels is in need of drivers and runners Thursday mornings. This is a two person volunteer opportunity!
Phil Freda is heading up this effort. Sign-up sheets are always available at our meetings.
Drivers and volunteers are needed for September and October! Make new friends and make a difference in our neighbors' lives.
Reach out to Phil Freda directly at PhilFreda@yahoo.com.
Please note the new location:
8020 Villa Park Drive
Richmond, VA 23228.
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Volunteer Opportunity:
Rework Richmond
Volunteer opportunities range from resume preparation for employment consideration to financial coaching with participants.
Contact John Purnell via email, purnelljc@comcast.net,
Charles Layman via email,
nuord417@gmail.com, and let them know how you can help.
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Thank you for your support of the September 10th Blood Drive!
We appreciate your arms, providing precious resource for those in need.
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Volunteer Opportunity:
Project Homes
Build a ramp and join your fellow Rotarians for a morning of fun and community service. Accessibility is critical for safety and quality of life. Paul Shively is heading up this effort. Reach out to Paul directly at pshively@cbcllc.net.
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Project Warm
Did you know Project Warm is starting its 50th year of service?
Started in 1979, Project Warn volunteers have split wood at the wood lot and delivered wood to individuals who depend on wood only for their heat source.
Since 1994, Project Warm volunteers have traveled 33,000+ miles and have made deliveries to 8,000+ individuals!
All those deliveries today would fill an equivalent of 4,000+ full size pick up trucks with 2100 cords of wood, an estimated worth of $682,662 in today's market!
Contact Joe Kelleher via email with questions or if you know of a good lead!
Let's continue to make an impact for another 50 years.
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November 3
Rob Ukrop, Chairman & CEO, Richmond Kickers & IVY Soccer
“Richmond Kickers + Richmond Ivy. Sports + Entertainment!”
A prominent member of Richmond's well-known Ukrop family Rob transitioned from a legendary playing career with the Kickers into leading the franchise's front office. He serves as the active Chairman and CEO, managing major club milestones such as the team's massive 2025 brand and crest modernization.
In addition, Rob took over as the head coach for the Richmond Ivy SC pre-professional women's team and continues to lead youth development. He played for the Kickers until retiring in 2004, holding historical records for career goals, assists, points, and matches played.
He was drafted into Major League Soccer and played for the New England Revolution. He was inducted into the Davidson College Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. Rob starred at Davidson College, where he was named an All-American and helped lead the Wildcats to the 1992 NCAA Final Four. Rob and his wife Shannon have two children, Peyton and Presley, and three Chinese Shar-pei's, Copa, Ruby and Ax.
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November 10
Jason Kamras, Superintendent of Richmond Public Schools.
“RPS. Our Schools, Our City, Our Future”
Before coming to RPS in 2018, Jason Kamras served in numerous senior leadership roles at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). In these roles, he led the design and implementation of a number of key initiatives focused on ensuring excellent instruction in every classroom across the district.
Jason began his career in education in 1996 as a seventh and eighth grade mathematics teacher at John Philip Sousa Middle School in DC, a National Historic Landmark for its role in desegregating public education in the nation's capital. He taught at Sousa for eight years, receiving numerous awards, including the Mayor's Arts Award for infusing photography into his mathematics instruction. In 2005, he was named the United States National Teacher of the Year.
Jason has a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Princeton University and a master’s degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
His wife Miwa also works in the field of public education, and he has two sons, both of whom attend RPS.
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November 17
Danny Avula, Mayor of the City of Richmond.
"Moderated Q&A Session"
Dr. Danny Avula is the 81st Mayor of Richmond, Virginia, having assumed office on January 1, 2025. A Democrat, he won the nonpartisan election in November 2024, making history as the city's first immigrant and first Indian American mayor. He is a prominent pediatrician and public health leader who has dedicated himself to over two decades of service our Richmond community.
Danny earned a B.A. in Biology from the University of Virginia and an M.D. degree from VCU. Public Health. He also holds a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. He practiced at Chippenham Hospital and served for 12 years with the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, including 6 years as Director, targeting health disparities, poverty, and race.
Appointed by Governor Ralph Northam in 2021 to lead Virginia’s statewide COVID-19 vaccination program, Danny moved Virginia into the top 10 most-vaccinated states. He was then appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2022 to head the state's Department of Social Services before stepping down to run for mayor.
As Mayor of Richmond, Danny focuses on expanding affordable housing, updating zoning laws, improving City Hall's efficiency, and boosting public school funding. Born in Hyderabad, India, he immigrated to the U.S. as a baby. He has lived in Richmond's East End for over 20 years with his wife, Mary Kay—a Richmond Public Schools teacher—and their five children.
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November 24
No Meeting
Happy Thanksgiving
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Business Card Corner
If you would like to sponsor our Business Card Corner, please contact Katie Hellebush.
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Birthdays and Anniversaries
Let's wish our fellow Rotarians Happy Birthday and congratulations on their Rotary Anniversary!
| | | Member Birthdays |
| | Beach, Christopher Edward Sr. (CHRIS) | 1-Nov | | Stamper, Eric (ERIC) | 8-Nov | | Bynum, James W. (JIM) | 16-Nov | | Purnell, John C. Jr. (JOHN) | 18-Nov | | Cubitt, Jennifer M. (JENNY) | 21-Nov | | Posner, Eva R. (EVA) | 22-Nov | | Morrissey, Kyle (KYLE) | 24-Nov | | Krais, Gina Amedeka (GINA) | 28-Nov | | | | Member Anniversaries |
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| | Layman, Charles D.(CHARLES) | 11/1/1983 | 43 | | Innes, Alexander D (ALEX) | 11/16/2021 | 5 | | Kim, Samuel (SAMUEL) | 11/18/2023 | 3 | | Stamper, Eric (ERIC) | 11/19/2023 | 3 | | Christian, Walter Lee (LEE) | 11/24/1987 | 39 | | Dillon, Andrew G. (ANDY) | 11/27/2005 | 21 | | |
Welcome New Members
Please give a warm welcome to Satellite Club member - Marley Manjarrez!
| | Service Above Self and Plus One Photos | | | | |
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Contact Us
For questions about club meetings or membership contact Jennifer Cubitt, Membership Chair at: jcubitt@dfs-capital.com
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Join Us
We meet every Tuesday from 12:30-1:30 PM at Lakeside Park Club, located at 1700 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA.
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