Rotary District 6600 is proud to serve as the 2026 Harvest for Hunger Campaign Champion for Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio — the first service organization to take on this leadership role.

Second Harvest serves Crawford, Erie, Huron, and Lorain counties, working with food pantries, hot meal programs, shelters, and community partners to ensure families have access to nutritious food. Each spring, the Harvest for Hunger campaign raises the critical funds that make this work possible.

The campaign officially kicks off on Thursday, February 26, from 4:00-6:00 PM at Second Harvest Warehouse on Baumhart Rd in Lorain, and Rotarians are encouraged to attend. District Governor Pam Brumbaugh is speaking, and the event brings together community leaders, volunteers, and partners to launch this important effort.

👉 RSVP FOR THE HARVEST FOR HUNGER KICKOFF [HERE]

While the campaign directly serves four counties, hunger impacts every community in District 6600. Second Harvest is committed to connecting Rotary clubs outside the four-county area with partner food banks so clubs across the district can participate locally while aligning with this shared campaign effort.

As Campaign Champion, our district has the opportunity to rally around a cause that reflects Rotary’s heart for service. When Rotarians mobilize, visibility increases, partnerships grow stronger, and impact multiplies.

Let’s show what District 6600 can do when we unite to combat hunger.

MESA (Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad) is a Rotary-led initiative that collects and ships donated medical equipment and supplies to improve healthcare access around the world.

MESA has identified several specific equipment needs to complete upcoming international shipments — and they are calling on District 6600 Rotarians to help. The included list shows the highest need items, with those shown in pink as high priority.

As we know, MESA’s life-changing work depends on our district’s ability to network for donations of new and usable medical equipment. Several items are needed immediately to fulfill pending shipments.

Rotarians are encouraged to review the current list of needs and reach out to their professional and community networks. If you — or someone you know — can assist with any of the requested items, please contact:

Scott Salyers – logistics@rotarymesa.org
Andy Bone – chair@rotarymesa.org

Your continued support and engagement help extend Rotary’s impact around the world.

Under this year’s theme, ROAR – Unite for Good, District 6600 is gathering for a powerful weekend of inspiration, fellowship, service, and celebration on the shores of Lake Erie at Sawmill Creek.

The weekend begins Friday with choose-your-own-adventure experiences — from golf and local tours to a Rotary scavenger hunt — before shifting into connection mode with the Major Donor Reception, Welcome Party, and a high-energy Casino Night.

Saturday delivers the heart of the conference. Rotarian and Career Happiness Coach Mary Berge headlines a dynamic keynote session, followed by engaging breakout sessions designed to spark fresh ideas for your club. We’ll also celebrate achievements, honor our traditions, hear from the Four-Way Test Speech Contest winner, and recognize the incredible work happening across our district.

In true Rotary fashion, attendees will roll up their sleeves for a hands-on service project supporting Second Harvest’s Harvest for Hunger Campaign — making an immediate local impact together.

The weekend concludes with the Uncorked Wine Dinner, a relaxed and celebratory evening to connect and reflect.

Registration opens in early March. Watch your inbox for details — and start making plans now. This is one weekend you won’t want to miss.

Last month, we shared how Ohio leads the nation in participation in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, with nearly 70% of eligible households enrolled. Through this incredible program, children receive one free, age-appropriate book each month from birth to age five — building early literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading.

Now it’s time for District 6600 to grow the impact.

As part of the statewide Rotary for Reading campaign, districts across Ohio are participating in a friendly fundraising challenge to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio. The campaign runs through Saturday, March 14, with final results announced at All Ohio P.E.T.S.

As of February 15, District 6600 has raised $6,514 from 59 supporters.

But here’s the opportunity:

Just $31 provides 12 books — a full year of reading for one child.

If 100 more Rotarians each gave $31, that would place 1,200 books in the hands of Ohio children.

Small gifts. Big impact.

For the first time, clubs may also direct donations back to their own communities to help cover the local cost of mailing books — making this both a statewide effort and a local investment.

Let’s finish strong and grow the impact before March 14.

👉 View the leaderboard and donate here: https://givebutter.com/OhioRotary
📱 Text to donate: ROTARY4READING to 53-555
📬 Mail a check to:
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio
P.O. Box 430734
Columbus, OH 43234
(Please indicate whether your gift is district- or club-directed.)

Earlier this month, Rotarians from across District 6600 gathered for the annual Peace Summit — a day devoted to moral courage, reconciliation, and meaningful dialogue.

From keynote insights to Rotary’s legacy of healing through DOVE and practical tools for courageous conversation, this year’s Summit offered both inspiration and clear pathways for peacebuilding. The reflections below capture highlights from one Rotarian’s experience of the day.

The Peace Summit takes place each year in early February — mark your calendar now so you don’t miss the next one.

👉 Click here to explore the Peace Summit Recap from one Rotarian’s perspective.

With appreciation to PDG Jim Hunt of Elyria Rotary for thoughtfully capturing the day’s messages and moments.

Mark your calendars. On May 16, 2026, Rotary clubs around the world will unite for the EPIC Day of Service — a global day of action highlighting Rotary’s impact in local communities.

Clubs are encouraged to begin planning a service project now and register it at epicdayofservice.org to be included on the global project map.

This is also a powerful opportunity for media outreach. A coordinated global day of service provides a strong story angle for local newspapers, radio, and community partners. Consider inviting media to cover your project and showcase Rotary in action.

Let’s make it an EPIC day for District 6600!

District Monthly Calendar

All-Ohio Pre-PETS Zoom Session - Membership

February 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM [zoom link]

Harvest for Hunger Kickoff with District 6600

February 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM

Second Harvest Warehouse, Lorain [RSVP HERE]

Legacy Dinner to Benefit the Rotary Foundation

February 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Drive, Avon

District Leadership Team Meeting

March 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM [zoom link]

DG Pam & Club Presidents Monthly Meeting

March 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM [zoom link]

DGE Katherine & Club Presidents-Elect Monthly Meeting

March 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM [zoom link]

D6600 Public Image Power Hour

March 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM [zoom link]

D6600 President-Elect Training (Pre-PETS)

March 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel, 50 North 3rd Street, Columbus, OH 43215

All Ohio PETS

March 13-14, 2026

Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel, 50 North 3rd Street, Columbus, OH 43215

Rotary On Tap: Progressive Craft Beer Tour

March 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM

Unplugged Brewing Company, 201 East Bridge Street, Elyria, OH 44035

Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) - RLI Parts III, In-person, by Rotary District 6600

March 28, 2026 at 8:30 AM

Rotary Lodge at Don W Miller Memorial Park, 1329 Tiffin St, Fremont, OH 43420

Save the Date

Mark your calendars now for these District Events.  More details to come closer to registration dates.

District Assembly

Saturday, April 18, 2026, Findlay, Ohio

District Conference: Roar - Unite for Good!

Friday, April 24-Saturday April 25th at Sawmill Creek Resort  

(More info coming soon)

2026 EPIC Day of Service

Saturday, May 16, 2026 

District Installation

Friday, June 26, 2026, Toledo Zoo (more info coming soon)

Ella Geppel, a Rotary Youth Exchange student from Austria, is making the most of her year in Ohio at Ada High School — and recently experienced a moment she won’t soon forget.

Having never played basketball before coming to the United States, Ella was named “Player of the Game” after scoring a two-pointer (and nearly sinking a three). The crowd cheered, and in that moment, she said, she truly felt like one of them.

Ella will remain in the U.S. through July, and says one of her favorite parts of being an exchange student in Ohio is attending high school football games. She loves the school spirit and spending time with friends — even if she admits she still has no idea how football really works.

That’s why she especially connected with keynote speaker Chase Ferris at the February 7 Peace Summit. When he spoke about joining a new team and not understanding the plays at first, she could relate completely.

One of Ella’s biggest takeaways from the Summit was the importance of speaking up — particularly about the value of cultural exchange. Through Rotary Youth Exchange, she’s not only learning about American life; she’s helping others broaden their perspective as well.

And judging by the cheers in that gymnasium, Ohio has embraced her right back.  

In the accompanying photo, Ella is pictured with members of her Ada Rotary host club, Sheila Coressel and Becky Neville.  Be sure to check out the Photo Carousel in the Club Spotlight Section to see highlights from her "Player of the Game" night.

Editors Note: Experiences like Ella’s are only possible because of clubs willing to host inbound students and the families who open their homes. The relationships formed through Youth Exchange leave a lasting impact — not only on the students, but on the communities that welcome them.

STRIVE facilitators are asked to please submit their current lists of participating students as soon as possible.

In addition, the district is developing a new informational pamphlet to help expand awareness of the STRIVE (Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education) program in our high schools. Facilitators are encouraged to share photos or quotes from current or former STRIVE students (with appropriate permission) to help showcase the program’s impact.

Please send student lists, photos, or quotes to cas1958@sbcglobal.net.

Thank you for helping strengthen and grow STRIVE across District 6600.

The Bucyrus Rotary Club’s 53rd Annual Nick Vasil Pancake Day was a full house from the start.

By 8:25 a.m., guests were already enjoying breakfast and fellowship — and shortly after 9:00 a.m., the line stretched down the hallway. Despite the crowd, wait times topped out at just ten minutes, showcasing impressive teamwork and organization.

Thanks to strong planning and an army of Rotarians and volunteers, the event once again delivered great food, great fellowship, and meaningful support for the community. A 50/50 winner was announced at the close of the event, with additional prize drawings to follow.

Another outstanding tradition in action — well done, Bucyrus Rotary!

Founded in 1946, the Rotary Club of Milan has built nearly eight decades of service rooted in strong community connection. A dedication sign marking the club’s 75th year stands as a visible reminder of that legacy. Among its longtime members was Charles Lindecamp, who joined in 1954 and remained a devoted Rotarian until his passing in 2024. A former superintendent of Edison Schools, his leadership helped shape both the schools and the club’s enduring partnership with education.

With a steady membership of 22, Milan Rotary may be small in number, but according to Assistant Governor John Hill, it is “pound-for-pound, the most dynamic and engaged club in District 6600.”

The club maintains a close relationship with Edison Schools and its highly active Interact Club of approximately 75 students. Together, they support numerous service initiatives, including the annual “Golden Apple” recognition honoring teachers and support staff each May and a very successful Pizza Palooza fundraiser. Interact students also raise funds for a home for HIV-positive children in Haiti.

Milan Rotary’s service footprint is broad and visible: an annual Memorial Day Chicken BBQ, an October electronic recycling drive, Pizza Palooza, support for the Milan Salvation Army Weekend Backpack Program, the Erie County Immunization Project, used hearing aid collection, and Polio Day awareness efforts.

Their philosophy is simple: connection through service. By engaging the community and inviting local businesses to speak at meetings, Milan Rotary continues to strengthen relationships, attract interest, and sustain its impact.

The Rotary Club of Marion has successfully relaunched the Marion Harding Interact Club after it paused during the COVID years, and the new club is gaining momentum.

With support from Tola Sanusi of Marion Technical College, Vice Principal Carol Bebout, and advisors Noe Camp and Mike Seymour, Interact is once again active. Notably, both Sanusi and Camp are former Interactors and Rotaractors, bringing valuable experience to the program. Marion Rotary Interact Chair Carol Garverick has worked since last June to bring the club back to life.

The newly reestablished club currently has 15 members and growing. Their first project is a food drive for the Salvation Army.  They have  plans to help connect girls with free prom dresses, volunteer at the Humane Society, collect items for the MESA warehouse, and work at the MESA Warehouse to learn more about Rotary’s international impact.

Marion’s Interact Club is once again creating opportunities for students to serve, lead, and build lasting friendships.

North Coast Rotary President Cathy Pugh presented a sponsorship check to Emily Adkins, Principal of Brookside High School, and teacher, Val Rion, for the Brookside Robotics Club.

The Brookside Robotics program was started in 2013 and has grown to include around 60students in grades 4-12. The program has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success as they have won awards at the state level every year.

Robotics programming provides students with hands-on engineering, coding, and design experience, which inspires innovation and fosters self-confidence, communication, and leadership skills.

“With North Coast Rotary’s commitment to youth programs and initiatives, it seems only fitting that our Club becomes a $1,000 sponsor of this wonderful program,” said Cathy Pugh. “This contribution will help with the purchase of field elements, parts and replacements to the technology components, tournament entry fees, and travel expenses.”

Despite blustery weather, members and guests gathered to celebrate the 64th Charter Banquet of the Rotary Club of Reynolds Corners — and the evening was well worth the effort.

In addition to honoring the club’s long-standing history, President Hyfah welcomed a new member, announced the incoming Vice President, and invited Toledo Rotarian Vince Croci to share reflections on the club’s legacy. With outstanding food and even better fellowship, the celebration highlighted both tradition and forward momentum.

Congratulations to Reynolds Corners Rotary on 64 years of service and community impact.

Stryker Rotary recently held a meeting at Stryker Local Schools, touring newly added ag technology spaces serving students from kindergarten through high school. Rotarians learned how hands-on learning and partnerships with 117 local businesses are preparing students for future careers. Superintendent Nate Johnson and instructor Matt Arnos led the tour, showcasing innovative lab spaces and student projects.

It’s great to see Stryker Rotary engaging with local education and workforce development in their community.

(Originally reported in the Bryan Times.)