The Killeen Heights Rotary Club celebrated its 30th anniversary on June 26 at the Courtyard Marriott in Killeen. The featured guest speaker for the gala event was Ron Burton, immediate past president of Rotary International. 

Melinda at RC of Killeen Heights 30th Anniversary celebration with Miok Duranski, Editor of the Korean Weekly News.  
 
PRIP Ron Burton being presented a memento of Central Texas by outgoing RCKH President Jose Segarra and PDG Rich Kaye.
 

The event also included the induction of new officers for 2015-2016.  Those appointments included Michael Keefe, president; Larry Phelps, president-elect; Maureen Adams, vice president; and Shannan Shipman, treasurer.

 

Other appointed officers were Bill Webster, sergeant-at-arms; Jose Segarra, immediate past president; Rich Kaye, foundation chair; Emilio Perales, membership chair; Leah McGee, administration director; Donna Hansen, public relations director; Jaime Madrid, youth services director; and Bob Crouch, service projects and programs chair.

 

When chartered in 1985, the club had 34 members. The club now has 104 members and supports several local community projects such as the Food Care Center, Killeen Free Clinic, Killeen’s new homeless shelter, and has adopted several KISD schools include East Ward Elementary, Ira Cross Elementary and West Ward Elementary.

 

Future projects will include new playground equipment at West Ward Elementary and development of an International Global Grant to provide a mobile health clinic to poor regions of Belize.

 

Two of the newest members take a trip to Belize each year. Todd Perrin, a retired dentist, and Bill Webster take care of indigent people in the outlying villages during their trip. “That has Rotary written all over it,” Keefe said. “They need back end support to make it successful and we can help fund something like this which supports both health and even education.”

 

The club, which is in Central Texas’ District 5870, is highly recognized for its giving to the Rotary Foundation.  This year, Killeen Heights achieved Every Rotarian, Every Year and 100% Sustaining Member status, exceeded its Polio Plus goal by donating $2,308 and accounted for 24 percent of District 5870 donations to the Foundation.  As a result, the club ranks first in total giving and first in per capita giving.

 

Major donors recognized at the celebration included Jim and Ikuko Bondi, retired Lt. Gen. Pete Taylor, Rich and Diana Kaye, Patsy Derr, Mike and Mary Pinson, Lisa and Shawn Griffin, Stu and Kay McLennan, Clyde and Janice Glosson, David and Linda Bay, and Gene and Chris Silverblatt.