Dear Rotarians and friends,
Kathy Opperman visited us last Thursday and talked about the non-profit organization she started called “Pillars of Light and Love” and described the pillars as the members of the community who work to make life better for others. As I looked around the Broad Street Grind, I felt surrounded by pillars. Our members and partners do so much good in the community and the world.
(Click on the link below to read about the donation of a Seestar astrophotography telescope to the Souderton Area High School Astronomy Club!)
I had the same feeling last Wednesday during a very touching ceremony at Souderton Area High School during which Tim Clemens and his wife Deborah donated a Seestar astrophotography telescope to the Astronomy club in honor of Al and Nancy Engel. Soon after we arrived at the high school a security guard approached to see if we were from the Souderton-Telford Rotary Club. Dr. Sam Varano had already let him know that we were coming and he was ready for us. Dr. Varano had chairs, a podium and signs set up for the event.
The hallway in which the presentation was made was filled with pillars of light and love: Dr. Sam Varano, Dr. Charles Amuso, Nancy and Heidi Engel, Tim and Deborah Clemens, Ruth E. Potter (Executive Director of the Indian Valley Education Foundation), and several dedicated teachers were all there. A speech given by Dr. Varano celebrated Al’s many contributions to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math made through Rotary, as well as the continued support of our Club to the students. It was a very uplifting event created from a beautiful gesture of generosity.
My appreciation for our Club did not stop when the presentation was over. On my trip home, I passed by so many more “pillars of light and love”. First was Past President and current Mayor Dan Yocum’s house. After that were the apartments John Heidgerd’s church made possible for survivors of sexual trafficking followed by John’s church where the sign out front promises free meals for all and notes the over 790,000 already donated.
Continuing down Broad Street, I then passed Broad Street Italian Cuisine and Pizzeria, where we have enjoyed many meals in as a Club and generously donated free pizzas during Keystone Opportunity Center’s recent food drive. I then passed the Broad Street Theater, where we have hosted many events and partnered with Salvation Army, and Univest, where several of our members used to or currently work and that is an extremely generous supporter of community events and projects.
Next came Broad Street Grind, the restaurant Phil Shade currently owns and where we currently hold half of our meetings, followed by Indian Valley Dentistry, presently owned by member, Spencer Grossman. Next is TravelHaus, run by Suzi Berry, who generously supports our members, Club and District. Then there is a paperbox painted by Tim Gibson as part of his Ten Thousand Flowers project and Souderton Pizza and Pasta, who so generously host the Shop with Cop lunch each year. After that, I passed Giant, who generously donates food to Keystone Opportunity Center and last, but definitely not least, Care & Share Thrift Shoppes, led by Sarah Bergin who is extremely supportive of our Club, the community, and the world personally and professionally in so many ways.
I have driven that same route many times without taking the time to consider the incredibly positive impact so many of our members and partners have, but there was something about the ceremony at the high school that inspired me to be more aware of it all on Wednesday. I am so thankful to know you and be a witness to all you do.
In Rotary
Kate