The Literacy Legacy
September 2025
3rd Edition

🌍 Mark Your Calendars – World Polio Day, October 24! 🌍

World Polio Day will be here in no time! It’s a chance for Rotarians around the globe to celebrate the progress we’ve made in the fight to End Polio and to recommit to finishing the job. Together, we can make history by eradicating this disease for good.

We encourage every club to host an acknowledgement or event in honor of World Polio Day and to support End Polio Now with a contribution.

▶️ Watch the Global Update: https://on.rotary.org/3fs7gFi

🙏 Thank You, Rotary!

A huge THANK YOU to the Rotary Club of Edgewater #6840 and the Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis for providing the 112th Military Police Battalion, Mississippi National Guard, currently deployed in Washington, D.C., with tickets to a Washington Nationals baseball game! ⚾🦅

The soldiers enjoyed a well-deserved night out filled with fun, camaraderie, and America’s pastime in our nation’s capital. ❤️🤍💙

Your generosity and continued support are deeply appreciated!

🔗 Rotary Thought for the Month 🔗

Did you know companies can form corporate Rotary clubs — bringing Rotary service inside the workplace? It’s a powerful way to:

  • Give employees purpose and strengthen connection through shared service blog.rotary.org

  • Develop leadership skills in real situations, not just workshops

  • Align corporate values with meaningful impact in education, environment, and more

Thinking how your organization might start one? Reach out — our club and district are here to help.

🚴‍♂️ Miles for Polio – Ride to End Polio

PDG Ace Necaise and his children Stacey, Nathan, and Katie will be participating in the Southern Magnolia Century Ride on October 25, 2025 in support of Polio Plus.

This 100-mile bike ride, called “Miles for Polio”, is a family effort to raise awareness and funds to help Rotary finish the fight to end polio. The ride takes place the day after World Polio Day (October 24th).

👉 Between now and race day, we’ll be sharing updates, photos, and progress. When Ace and his family cross that finish line, we invite everyone to make a donation to Polio Plus.

We are also encouraging every club to host an event or acknowledgment for World Polio Day on October 24th. Let’s show our support and keep the momentum going to End Polio Now!

🐊 Call for Volunteers–Alligator Festival 🐊

The Alligator Festival is right around the corner, and we need YOUR help to make it a success! Volunteer spots are open in a variety of fun areas:

  • Set Up / Take Down

  • Crafts

  • Front Beer Booth & Stage Beer Booth

  • Live Alligators

  • Rides

  • Merchandise

  • Gates

  • VIP

  • Mixed Drinks

  • Parking

✨ Side Gate, Coke, and Pageant opportunities are already filled.

Find your favorite booth with the updated links below and sign up today!

Questions? Contact Desiree Luquette at 📞 504.346.1500.
🎃 Pickleball + Costumes + A Great Cause = The Pickle-BOO Bash! 👻
 
Presented by St. Charles Parish Rotary Club 
 
Get ready for a spooktacular pickleball tournament on Sunday, October 19 at Luling West Bank Bridge Park! This is more than just a tournament—it’s a Halloween celebration with a purpose.
 
🕸️ What to Expect:
🏓 Competitive round robin + single elimination play (DUPR event)
🎭 Costume contest judged by our local high school Interact Club
🍴Food & drinks provided for all players
📚 Proceeds support a literacy project for 2nd grade students in St. Charles Parish
 
💵 $45 per player
📅 Registration deadline: October 14
 👫 Men’s, Women’s, & Mixed Doubles Divisions
🧛 Costumes encouraged (but not required)—let’s see who brings the best Halloween spirit on the courts!
📲 Sign up below!
 
Let’s raise money, raise paddles, and raise some spirits! 🧟🎾
 
Thank you,
Desiree Luquette
Compass
cell: 504.346.1500
Pickle Ball
Join the FB Group
District 6840
District-Sponsored Events
Hammond Club Visit
Tope La Catering
Jul. 30, 2025 10:30 a.m. -
Sep. 10, 2025 11:30 a.m.
 
Hattiesburg Club Visit
Crescent City Grill
Aug. 19, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
New Orleans Club Visit
Aug. 20, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
Mid-City Club Visit
Second Line Brewing Company
Aug. 20, 2025
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
 
Moss Point Club Visit
St. Paul United Methodist
Aug. 21, 2025
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
 
Gautier Club Visit
MSGCCC
Aug. 21, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
2025 Family Fun Day
McLoed Park
Aug. 23, 2025
10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
 
DAC/Vibrant Club Meeting & Picnic
McLeod Park
Aug. 23, 2025
10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
 
Edgewater Club Visit
Jalapeno Grill
Aug. 27, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
Lucedale Anniversary (1935)
Aug. 29, 2025
 
Biloxi Anniversary (1921)
Sep. 01, 2025
 
Education and Literacy Month
Sep. 01, 2025 - Sep. 30, 2025
 
Zone Institute
Columbus
Sep. 02, 2025 - Sep. 07, 2025
 
Moss Point Anniversary (1927)
Sep. 07, 2025
 
Biloxi Club Visit
Mary Mahoney's
Sep. 09, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
View entire list

🌟 September is Basic Education & Literacy Month 🌟

September reminds us of one of Rotary’s core areas of focus: Basic Education and Literacy. Around the world, Rotary helps open doors of opportunity by promoting literacy, supporting teachers, and providing resources for lifelong learning.

This month, let’s celebrate the power of education and look for ways we can make a difference — whether it’s donating books, mentoring a student, or supporting literacy projects in our own community.

Together, we can help create brighter futures through the gift of knowledge. 📚✨

ROTARY CLUB OF AMITE
Mammography Machine Project for Hood Memorial Hospital

The Rotary Club of Amite is leading a project to purchase a state-of-the-art 3D Mammography System for Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, LA. Unlike the current mobile unit (125 mammograms per year), this new system will allow over 4,300 screenings annually, helping save lives through early detection.

The total cost is $400,000, and pledges are already coming in from Rotarians worldwide, including $25,000 from District 6110 and at least $40,000 from our own district. To meet the October 30, 2025 deadline, we need your help!

👉 Join us in making this life-saving project a reality.
Contact: Regina Wedig, PDG 2022–23
📧 WeDigRotary@gmail.com | 📞 985-747-0440

💉 Support Polio Plus!

Rotary’s fight to End Polio Now continues — and you can help make a difference.

➡️ To donate online:

  1. Visit rotary.org

  2. Click Our Causes → Ending Polio

  3. On the right side, click Donate

  4. Scroll down and select Polio Plus Fund

  5. Choose One-time or Recurring, then enter your donation amount

  6. Sign in to MyRotary or continue as guest to complete your payment

➡️ To donate by check:

  • Make checks payable to: Rotary Foundation

  • Memo line: Polio Plus (include your Rotary Club name)

  • Mail to:
    Evelyn Ford
    14333 Williamsburg Dr.
    Gulfport, MS 39503

Together, we can make history by helping end polio for good!
💡 DON'T FORGET TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR UPCOMING EVENTS! 💡
 
Got an awesome event coming up? Just send the details over to Ashley Mayley-Yarber at ashley.mayley.5@gmail.com, our newsletter guru. She'll work her magic and make sure your event gets the spotlight it deserves!