Thursday, September 25 was the grand opening of the Josh and Elaina Genser Culinary Center at RPAL. Rotary was proud to provide funding for the appliances at the center. Rotary previous president Oscar Garcia oversaw the District Grant that funded the project. Rotarian Sarah Wally managed the project. Rotarians also did volunteer work at the center. Congrats to Executive Director Larry Lewis and the board and staff at RPAL.

Richmond Rotary was please to provide funding to Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) to establish a vegetable garden to benefit their shelter’s families. The aim of the garden is to address food insecurity, offer educational opportunities, and promote well-being. Families will be involved in planting, maintaining and harvesting the vegetables. Thanks to Rotarian and GRIP ED Ralph Payton for your leadership and Rotarian and GRIP board member Ruthie Abelson Olivas for being the grant sponsor.

Richmond Rotary was pleased to provide funding support for Easter Hill United Methodist Church’s CDF Freedom School summer enrichment program. The funding request sponsored by Rotarian Ruthie Abelson Olivas supported the 6 week (6/16-7/25) program which focused on reading multicultural literature and provided music, gardening, STEM exposure and visual arts for 30 elementary aged students.

Thanks to Pastor Dale Witherspoon and Executive Director Kia Walton for your oversight of the program. — at Easter Hill United Methodist Church.