Local Initiatives & Projects
 
Rotary's commitment to Community Service grew out of the realization, early in the movement's history, that something more than fellowship or the opportunity for business profit was necessary to sustain the interest of club members over a long period of time. From the very first Community Service project in 1907, when founder Paul Harris led a campaign to have a public restroom installed at the city hall in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., Rotarians have been making substantial and lasting contributions to the communities where they live.  See History Page.
 

Our Club has definitively made substantial contributions because we "Serve Above Self."  We not only do it financially, but also by volunteering side by side with our community partners. Organizations we support may vary throughout the years, while other projects and organizations we faithfully support during decades, according to our Club's Rotary Year budgets.  The Club serves mainly in the Clear Lake area, and in limited cases, we extend our service to other communities like League City.  

Disclaimer: in December of  2024, our Facebook page was suspended by META and never recovered. We lost a lot of photos there. However, we were able to recover few of them. Our Flickr account is currently our permanent photo storage since 2025. 

 

OUR CLUB SUPPORTS...
 
Veterans and Active Members of the Military through organizations and projects such as Veterans Centers of San Jacinto College, H.O.M.E (Help Our Military Endure)CAMP HOPE, (PTSD Foundation of America), OATH Inc., etc
 
 On November 10th, 2025 our veterans (L. to R.) Michelle Patrick, Jim Saxe, John Branch and John Nugent
and Teri Crawford presented a donation check of $2,000 to Jose Nicolas on behalf of Veterans Centers of San Jacinto College.
 
On January 27, 2025 our Club collected and delivered items to H.O.M.E to be packed and mailed out to enlisted soldiers oversees. 
L to R:  Madella Wilson, Marilyn Musial, Ronnie Duhon, Co-Founder and Nurit Hinthorn. 
 
On December 16, 2024 our Club  presented a donation check of $1,000 to Mr. Russell  Ybarra,
Founder and CEO of Gringos and Jimmy Changas on behalf of CAMP HOPE. 
L to R: Darryl Smith, Nurit Hinthorn, Adrianne Sun and Russell Ybarra. 
 
On November 18, 2024 our Club presented a donation check of $4,000 to Gary Bartles,  Co-Founder and  Executive Director of OATH, Inc. 
L to R:  Nurit Hinthorn, Gary Bartles, Adrianne Sun and John Branch. 
 
Donate HERE if you want to support our local initiatives. Disclaimer: Rotary Club of Space Center is a non-profit 501(c)(4). If you want your donation to be tax deductible, please visit the Leadership Team on our website,  and contact the President of the Club or Treasurer. 
 
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Senior Citizens  by distributing red roses to senior citizens on St. Valentine’s Day with the project "Roses for Seniors." 
 
The Red Rose Program was initiated in February of 2009 by our dear Club member Jerry Smith. Jerry was a member of the Senior Citizens Committee, chaired by Steve Waldner. Years later, the program was re-named  “Roses for Seniors.”
 
Since then, Rotarians and their family members distribute an average of 500 roses to different nursing homes, assisting living and independent residences of the Clear Lake Area/League City. When Jerry’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer, he did not hesitate to include a location with about 35 residents with Alzheimer. 
 
On February 13, 2026, our Club celebrated St. Valentine's Day by distributing roses to seniors.
Here,  we can see Teri Crawford with this lovely lady having some fun  with a flowers puzzle when receiving a rose. She was thrilled!
 
Richard Dvorak with his son Lucas distributing roses on February 14, 2025. 
 
Donate HERE if you want to support our local initiatives. Disclaimer: Rotary Club of Space Center is a non-profit 501(c)(4). If you want your donation to be tax deductible, please visit the Leadership Team on our website,  and contact the President of the Club or Treasurer. 
 
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Anti-Human Trafficking and Victims of Domestic Violence  through organizations such as Unbound Now Houston and Bay Area Turning Point.
 
On May 18, 2026 our Club presented a donation check of $304,531 from Rotary International Global Grant #2579105.  This grant was approved on 22 November 2025, and has commenced execution early this year.  L to R: Ute Schneider, Nurit Hinthorn Kristi Hayes, Unbound Now Communication Director, Stan Galanski, and Rhonda Kuykendall, Fort Bent Anti-Trafficking Collective Task Force Director
 
On April 13, 2026 our Club presented a donation check of $3,000 to Bay Area Turning Point. 
L to R: Nurit Hinthorn, Kat Castro, BATP Development Director and Ute Schneider.
 
On November 10, 2025 Madella Williams, Nurit Hinthorn and Richard Simmons
delivered candies and socks to Bay Area Turning Point. 
 
Donate HERE if you want to support our local initiatives. Disclaimer: Rotary Club of Space Center is a non-profit 501(c)(4). If you want your donation to be tax deductible, please visit the Leadership Team on our website,  and contact the President of the Club or Treasurer. 
 
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Fighting Hunger through organizations and projects such as Rise Against Hunger, Operation Turkey, The Mercy Tree, Helping Hands Ministry Food Pantry, Clear Lake Food Pantry, Harvest for the Hungry, etc. 
 
On April 11, 2026  members of Space Center, Pasadena and La Port Clubs, Clear View HS Interact students, and members of the Community joined forces to pack more than 10,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger,  that later were shipped to Africa. 
Here, we can see Bill and Molly Hollister and Lily Wren at the scale & sealing section with other volunteers.
 
On April 11, 2026 our Club presented a donation check of $2,600 to A.P on behalf of Rise Against Hunger. 
L to R: Marilyn Musial, JP, Nurit Hinthorn and Ute Schneider.
 
On November 26, 2025 members of our Club volunteered at the 2025 Operation Turkey (Southeast). 
Here, we can see John Wren who helped from 6:00 AM until all the Turkeys were smoked. 
 
On October 27, 2025 our Club presented a donation check of $1,000 to Bob Gebhart, District 5890 Operation Turkey Chair.
L to R: Marilyn Musial, Bob Gebhart and Ute Schneider.
 
On October 1, 2025 Club members gathered at the Taylor Lake Christian Church to cook and deliver meals for the homeless of The Mercy Tree.
Here, we can see Richard Simmons and Teri Crawford working on the macaroni & cheese and greens. 
 
On September 29, 2025 our Club presented a donation check of $750 to Pastor Brannon Revel with Helping Hands Ministry Food Pantry. 
L to R: Madella Wilson, Brannon Revel and Teri Crawford. 
 
On September 11, 2025 members of our Club volunteered to prepare bags of groceries  at the Clear Lake Food Pantry. 
Here, we can see Carol Saxe and Sheila Self packing fruit with other volunteers.
 
On September 11, 2025 we also presented a donation check of $750. 
L to R:  SCR Members MH, Nurit Hinthorn, Teri Crawford, Wayne Musial, John Branch, Marilyn Musial, Carol Saxe and Sheila Self.
 
 
In the  Summer of 2024, members of our Club volunteered at Harvest  for the Hungry.
Here, Scott Dyson with his daughter sorting greens before washing and packing.  That year our Club donated to this organization. 
 
Donate HERE if you want to support our local initiatives. Disclaimer: Rotary Club of Space Center is a non-profit 501(c)(4). If you want your donation to be tax deductible, please visit the Leadership Team on our website,  and contact the President of the Club or Treasurer. 
 
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Education through organizations and projects such as CCEF Leader in Me, School Supplies, YMCA Operation Backpack, Books for Whitcomb Elementary Library,  Communities in Schools, Scholarships, etc. 
 
On October 20, 2025 our Club and SCR Endowment Foundation presented a donation check of $10,000 to Creek Clear Education Foundation.
L to R: Wayne Musial, Sheila Self, John Branch, Derryl Smith, Tim Kropp, Karen Engle, SCR Rotarian and  CCISD Superintendent,
Bob Wren,  Jim Nardo, J.D. Morris, CCEF Chairman, Monica Giuffre, Director of Instructional Design,
Jennifer Garcia, SCR Rotarian and CCEF Executive Director  and Teri Crawford.
 
On August 7, 2025  our Club shopped and organized additional supplies for teachers and kids for Whitcomb, Armand Bayou and Clear Lake Elementary Schools . This is a lot of  help to teachers, so they don't have to pay with their own money. Some parents cannot afford to buy supplies for the entire school year. For several decades, our Club faithfully has donated these extra supplies.
 
On August 6, 2025 SCR Rotarians and their family members joined forces with the community for the 2025 Perry YMCA Operation Backback
L to R:  Nurit Hinthorn, Carol Saxe, Susan and Stan Galanski, John Branch, Bill Howe, Wayne and Marilyn Musial, Teri Crawford, Becky Unbehagen, honorary member Richard Cockerham with his family. 
 
On June 16, 2025 our Club presented a donation check of $4,000 to Perry YMCA for Operation Backpack. 
L to R:  Nurit Hinthron, Cece Cadwell, Perry YMCA Executive Director, Jaclyn Winn, Perry YMCA Program Director and Stan Galanski. 
 
On May 13 2025 our Club donated about 40 children's books to Whitcomb Elementary School Library. Every speaker we invite to our weekly meetings, signs and writes an inspirational note on each book. Librarians have reported that children asked for these specific books.
 
On May 7, 2025 Steve Charbonneau attended the Clear View High School Senior Awards Banquet and had the honor of presenting
Faith Mendoza with the 2025 Space Center Rotary Scholarship. 
 
On April 21, 2025 our Club presented a donation check of $5,800 to Community in Schools Bay Area.
L to R:  Nurit Hinthorn, Becky Unbehagen, Elizabeth Turner, CISBA Resource Development Director ,
Peter C. Wuenschel, CISBA Executive Director and Marilyn Musial. 
 
Donate HERE if you want to support our local initiatives. Disclaimer: Rotary Club of Space Center is a non-profit 501(c)(4). If you want your donation to be tax deductible, please visit the Leadership Team on our website,  and contact the President of the Club or Treasurer. 
 
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Vocational events such as Rotary-CCISD Teacher of the Year, CCISD New Teachers' Luncheon, Excellence in Public Service's Luncheon, which the Club recognizes and awards First Responders.
 
On April 30, 2026 Clubs of League City, Seabrook and Space Center celebrated the 2026 Rotary-CCISD Teacher of the Year.
Each of the finalists was awarded $750 and the winners were awarded an additional $750. 
L to R:  Drew Kays - Space Center Int., Brandi Lambert - Clear Creek Int., Gamia Lowman - Clear Springs HS (2026 Teacher of the Year), Tara McArdle - League City Elementary, Mary Purvis - Weber Elementary (2026 Teacher of the Year) and Breanna Jeffcoat - Gilmore Elementary,
 
On  July 30, 2025 Richard Simmons and Teri Crawford attended the 59th Annual New Teacher's Luncheon hosted by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce. This year, our Club sponsored Whitcomb and Clear Lake Elementary Schools'  new teachers.
 
On October 28, 2024, our Club held the Excellence in Public Service luncheon, in which selected law enforcement officers from the Webster, Houston, Pasadena and Nassau Bay Police Departments, and from  the Harris County Pct. 8 Constable's Office were recognized and awarded.
 
Donate HERE if you want to support our local initiatives. Disclaimer: Rotary Club of Space Center is a non-profit 501(c)(4). If you want your donation to be tax deductible, please visit the Leadership Team on our website,  and contact the President of the Club or Treasurer. 
 
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Disaster Relief Efforts by serving communities in crisis, such as the Texas Hill Country Flood Disaster. 
 
L to R: Greg Faldyn, member of Rotary Club of Kerrville, Suzi Howe and  Kenneth Larry Agee, Disaster Aid USA Executive Director. 
 
Donate HERE if you want to support our local initiatives. Disclaimer: Rotary Club of Space Center is a non-profit 501(c)(4). If you want your donation to be tax deductible, please visit the Leadership Team on our website,  and contact the President of the Club or Treasurer. 
 
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Youth & Families through organizations such as Higher Up Texas, Bay Area Alliance Youth and Families,  Anchor Point, etc.
 
On April 6, 2026 our Club presented a donation check of $1,500 to Higher Up Texas (HUT)which mission is to support
young adults ages 17-23 through adulthood with a two-part program.
L to R: Nurit Hinthorn, Richard Simmons, Hillary Gramm, HUT CEO and Teri Crawford. 
 
On October 9, 2025 some members of our Club attended the 2025 Celebrating Hope Anchor Point event. This faith-based organization assists parents in crisis with services such as medical care during pregnancy, counseling, parenting classes, and education vocational skills. This is the first time our Club was one of Anchor Point's benefactors.  Here, we see Teri Crawford with his husband Kevin. 
 
On June 13, 2025 Richard Simmons on behalf of our Club presented a donation check of $1,500 to Bay Area Alliance for Youth and Families, that works with the community to provide drug and alcohol prevention as well as behavioral health promotion.
L to R: Doug Meisinger, Executive Board Member, Lorraine Pinegar, Community Coalition Specialist, Leslie Tracy, Director and Richard Simmons. 
 
Donate HERE if you want to support our local initiatives. Disclaimer: Rotary Club of Space Center is a non-profit 501(c)(4). If you want your donation to be tax deductible, please visit the Leadership Team on our website,  and contact the President of the Club or Treasurer. 
 
 
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Literature, Art and Music through organizations such as Clear Lake Freeman Library,  Bay Area Chorus of Greater Houston,  Bay Area Youth Singers, etc. 
 
On June 16, 2025 our Club presented a donation check of $1,000 to Clear Lake Freeman Library. 
L to R: Nurit Hinthorn, Christina Thompson, CLFL Branch Manager and Stan Galanski.
 
On April 21, 2025 our Club presented a donation check of $1,000 to Bay Area Chorus of Greatest Houston.
L to R:  Glen Sherwood, BACGH Immediate Past President, Nurit Hinthorn, Kelli Glen, BACGH Business Manager,  
Jessica Peterson, BACGH Development Director and Marilyn Musial. 
 
On January 27, 2025 our Club presented a donation check of $500 to Bay Area Youth SingersBAYS was established in 2007 and it is an independent, non-profit organization in Houston’s Clear Lake area that fosters a love of music.
L to R: Nurit Hinthorn, Warren Renaden and Carol Barwick, BAYS Board Members,  
Joseph Rawley, BAYS Executive, Vissett Sun and Delia Stephens (1935-2025).
 
Donate HERE if you want to support our local initiatives. Disclaimer: Rotary Club of Space Center is a non-profit 501(c)(4). If you want your donation to be tax deductible, please visit the Leadership Team on our website,  and contact the President of the Club or Treasurer. 
 
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Environmental through organizations and projects such as Exploration Green Conservatory, Armand Bayou Nature Center, etc. 
 
On May 9, 2026 members of our Club, and Interactors volunteered cleaning debris at Armand Bayou Nature Center. 
L to R: SCR members Richard Cockerham, Bill and Molly Hollister, Nurit Hinthorn, Richard Dvorak and his son Lucas, Richard Simmons, Clear View High School Interact students and Karina Wade-Gledhill, District Governor Assistant RY 2026-27.
 
On January 17, 2026 members of our Club and other members of the Community helped planting trees at Exploration Green Conservatory Phase Five. Our team planted 8 trees. Our Club also presented a donation check of $2,500.
L to R:  John Wren, Bill Hollister, Carol and Jim Saxe and John Branch.
 
Donate HERE if you want to support our local initiatives. Disclaimer: Rotary Club of Space Center is a non-profit 501(c)(4). If you want your donation to be tax deductible, please visit the Leadership Team on our website,  and contact the President of the Club or Treasurer. 
 
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Other Local Projects and Acts of Kindness such as Spreading Holiday Cheer project, Stuffed Animals (Teddy Bears) Distribution, etc. 
 
For many years our Club has sponsored between 3-5 families of different CCISD elementary schools and shop for the children's gifts. 
L to R: Darryl Smith, Ute Schneider and Stephanie Clawson, shopping for the 2025 Spreading Holiday Cheer project benefiting the Clear Lake City Elementary. The delivery was on December 15, 2025. 
 
L to R: Wayne Musial, Carol Saxe and Olivia Riker delivering gifts for the 2024 Spreading Holiday Cheer project at Whitcomb Elementary School. 
 

On November 19, 2025 Madella Wilson collected about 20 stuffed animals donated by our dear SCR member Jerry Smith. They were distributed to Fire Station #71, Bay Area Turning Point (shelters) Interfaith Caring Ministries and Whitcomb Elementary School.

Donate HERE if you want to support our local initiatives. Disclaimer: Rotary Club of Space Center is a non-profit 501(c)(4). If you want your donation to be tax deductible, please visit the Leadership Team on our website,  and contact the President of the Club or Treasurer.