Our Service Projects
Allentown West Rotary Club is a community service organization that serves the Lehigh Valley and far beyond. But, beyond the satisfaction of service is the fellowship that comes from a worldwide organization that, despite cultural differences, delivers a sense of belonging to a community dedicated to bettering our world. See how we strive to make a difference.
A Long Time in Coming. Nick Millward Inducted as a Member of the Allentown West Rotary Club.
This past January 3, Nick Millward became an official Allentown West Rotary Club (AWRC) member at the home of Gwenn Carr and Gary Engelhardt. Nick was briefly back in the U.S. after having completed the one-and-a-half-year Rotary Peace Fellowship program at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. This temporarily made Nick ineligible for Rotary membership, having received the grant for the fellowship. All of this was set in motion in 2020 with the support of AWRC and District 7430.
This situation has now been put right, and we are happy and grateful to have him as an official AWRC Club member. Club members will know what I mean, as Nick was always present on ZOOM—whatever the hour was on his side of the world.
It was the feeling of all of us who inducted Nick into our club that he should read the new Rotary member booklet—even though he already embodies the desired qualities of a Rotarian. What impresses me about Nick is that having served as a Marine, he has shown a fantastic level of introspection and open-mindedness that has allowed him to embrace and internalize the idea of peace and de-confliction.
Nick says this about his studies:
"The academic program at the University of Queensland was exceptional. One of my professors was an Australian specialist on nuclear weapons and international security; she earned the Nobel Peace Prize. Another professor was a leading specialist and conflict mediator, focusing on Indigenous populations and their engagement with the state. I was also surrounded by Rotary Peace Fellows and students who had a tremendous amount of experience operating within the peace spectrum. Their perspectives and interpretations were significantly helpful in transforming my own perceptions and understandings of how I personally show up in the community and world. I couldn’t have asked for better professors, Peace Center staff, or fellow students throughout the program.
“This experience was only possible through the generosity, kindness, and support of Rotarians across the world, but especially District 7430. I cannot begin to express my sincerest appreciation to all of you for making this possible. The world is in a poor state of affairs currently; we could all do with a bit more peace in our everyday lives, and across the globe. While we all have varying perceptions and positions on current situations, we, as Rotarians, must continue to demonstrate our love and support through service. I am thankful to be a member and representative of an organization who demonstrates their commitment to Peace daily and globally.”
Semper Fidelis,
Nicholas H. Millward
From left to right are Kathleen (Katie) Farrell DG 7430 elect, Ron Coleman, PE Chris Blechschmidt, current Presidents Gwenn Carr & Gary Englehardt, past President Gail Micca, and current DG Diane Donaher.
Thanks to our leadership team and all those who labored to make our Irish Bingo fundraiser a resounding success.
Big smiles from Irish Bingo winners.
AWRC Named Bronze Hero Club for 2023-2024
In 2023, SHELTERBOX has helped more than 325,000 people (approximately 65,000 households). It is our second biggest year, behind the 420,000 supported in 2022, in terms of people reached since ShelterBox began in 2000.
We supported thousands of people in Türkiye and Syria after earthquakes devastated the region. In Morocco, where a powerful earthquake had caused widespread damage in the Atlas Mountains, our teams worked with our partner Association Le Grand Atlas, and Rotary District 9010 to distribute emergency shelter aid to around 20 affected communities.
East Africa has been victim to the worst drought in 40 years, causing millions of people to be displaced. We’ve supported thousands of people in Ethiopia this year providing essential household items, tarpaulins, and ropes for people who have been displaced. We also launched our first project in Somalia since 2011 and have so far been able to provide support for hundreds of people, with additional projects in the pipeline for 2024.
As the conflict in Ukraine approaches its third year, we are delivering our sixth project in the country supporting thousands more people with winter clothing, blankets, and stoves. We are continuing to support people affected by conflict in Syria with winterisation projects too, making sure people have thermal clothing, blankets, and tarpaulins to help make temporary shelters waterproof.
In Cameroon, we’ve supported over 100,000 people who have had to flee their homes due to conflict, the climate crisis, and poverty. Our latest project in the country has supported over 63,000 people with shelter.
Thanks to all of our club members who generously donated to SHELTERBOX!
Thanks to all of our club members who generously donated to SHELTERBOX!
Co-President Herb Klotz and Ron Coleman help out at the Food Bank at Kingdom Life Family Center.
The Food Bank at Kingdom Life Family Center distributes healthy food to an ever-increasing number of families in the Lehigh Valley. In recent times, the distribution has reached over 300 families in need. Given the increasing scale of the work involved, more volunteers are needed to help set up, help with the distribution, and help tear down.
Volunteering is a fulfilling way of providing service to those most in need. Let's see how many Rotarians we can send to be of service.
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Service Above Self
Allentown, PA 18104
United States of America