The Rotary Club of Emporia continued its commitment to "Service Above Self" during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, contributing more than $21,480 to local and international causes through charitable donations, youth programs, and community projects.
Spotlight on The House of Morrow
At today’s Rotary meeting, we were honored to welcome Deon Morrow and Lindzi Garcia from The House of Morrow.
Founded in 2023 as a fund under the Emporia Community Foundation, The House of Morrow's mission is "to strengthen underserved communities in the Emporia area through the cultivation of public arts and services".
During their presentation, Deon and Lindzi shared details about their flagship initiative, Diverse Voices. This literacy program partners with local fifth-grade classrooms to inspire students through creative writing, reading, and public speaking. The program not only builds confidence and skills but also fosters acceptance and inclusion. Thanks to their efforts, more than 90 students, age 10 and under, have become published authors! The book is available for purchase on their website (www.houseofmorrow.org/diverse-voices).
The House of Morrow is eager to expand this impactful program to even more area schools, continuing their mission to empower young voices in our community.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.houseofmorrow.org.
Our upcoming program on August 12th will feature Holly Lofton with Visit Lindsborg. Please let us know if you'd be interested in joining us.
The Rotary Club of Emporia proudly supported Little Lyons Childcare through a service project funded by Rotary District Grant funds. On Saturday, June 14, club members volunteered their time to enhance the center’s outdoor environment and create a more engaging and welcoming space for children and families.
As part of the project, members painted a colorful, educational U.S. map on the playground for the children to enjoy and learn from. The club also donated and installed three benches at the front entrance to offer functional and inviting seating for families. In addition, they provided flower pots and plants to brighten the facility’s exterior—giving the daycare children a fun, hands-on opportunity to help care for them.
“We’re thrilled to support Little Lyons and invest in a space where children in our community grow, learn, and thrive,” said Karly Witte, President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Emporia. “This project reflects Rotary’s commitment to ‘Service Above Self’ and to making a lasting impact locally.”
More pictures are available at https://rotaryemporia.com/photoalbums/little-lyon%e2%80%99s-preschool/
The Emporia Rotary Club now has a PayPal account, which we will be trying out for a year. This means you can now use PayPal for handling dues, sending Happy Bucks, and making donations for End Polio Now. Our PayPal page is available on our club website (rotaryemporia.com) at the top of the screen.
How do I use PayPal?
Clicking on the "donate" button will take you to our PayPal page. Enter the amount you wish to pay and select where the money should be designated. If you wish, you can make it a regular, monthly donation (must have a PayPal account). You can then choose to pay using your PayPal account or your Debit or Credit Card.
Is there a fee?
PayPal is free to use, except when you receive money from a purchase or send payments using a Debit or Credit Card. If you choose to send a donation or payment using a Debit or Credit Card, a transaction fee will be taken out of your payment. The transaction fee for Debit or Credit Cards is 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. There is no fee if you send a donation or payment using your bank account.
Do I need a PayPal account?
A PayPal account is not required, but it is recommended to avoid sending payments with transaction fees. A PayPal account is the only method that allows you to send payments linked to your bank account, thus avoiding any transaction fees.
How do I set up an account?
You can sign up for a free personal account at www.paypal.com. You will be asked to verify your phone number, e-mail, login credentials, name, and address. You will then be asked to link your account to a Debit/Credit Card and/or bank account. You can link your account to multiple payment options and select a preferred payment option. You will be asked to confirm two small deposits to your Debit/Credit Card and/or bank account. It will take 3-5 business days for these deposits to appear in your bank account and will be withdrawn within 10 days.
Can I use PayPal on my phone?
Yes, you can download the PayPal Mobile App. You can send payments to our PayPal link: http://paypal.me/rotaryemporia or search for us by our e-mail at rotaryemporia@gmail.com. You will not be able to select a designation for the payment, so make sure to let our treasurer, Dan Robertson, know.
For further questions, ask Dan Robertson at dan@ag.cpa.
The entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton died 25 August 2026. This Q&A was originally published in the March 2010 issue of The Rotarian (now Rotary) magazine. Later that year, she spoke at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal, Canada.
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