On October 19, 2022, the Rotary Club of the Heights of Greater Cleveland held the 31st annual awards recognition for Shaker Heights Fire and Police Depts. Each year the respective departments select a first responder that models Service above Self. This year the recipients for 2021 were:
 
-Police Award: Det. Brian M Walsh
-Firefighter Award: Joseph Leiben
 
Both recipients were honored by Rotary members while being joined by family, friends and staff from both departments. District Governor David Jones joined the celebration with his own remarks. Each award recipient received an individual plaque and stipend as well as their had name added to their department's wall plaque. 

Photo from right to left:
Front- John Sobotincic, Charlie Mayer, Maria Kaiser, Shamsi Lashgari-Saegh, Ruth Severiens, Karen Ault, Bob Ault
Back- Adam Davis, Det Brian Walsh, Paul Qua, Joseph Leibin, Julie Brouhard, Candi Hazelwood, David Jones


 
Rotary Club of the Heights of Greater Cleveland-Club 3560 Update-Oct. 2022
 
Small but mighty. That’s what some might say about the Rotary Club of the Heights of Greater Cleveland. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club has remained busy and involved in recent years with a variety of activities concentrated in three primary areas: education, the environment, and community outreach. In addition to service projects and monthly club meetings, Club 3560 makes an effort to relax and have fun each month by hosting a club social at the Tavern Co. on Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights.  Guests are welcome at bi-monthly club meetings held at Shaker Heights Country Club or the Tav Co social events. Check the Club’s website for more info, or RSVP to Club President Candi Hazelwood. (photo- group sitting around table @ TavCo)
 
 
 
Meet Our New Club President
Candice “Candi” Hazelwood has taken the reins of the Club, succeeding immediate past President Adam Davis who served from 2019 to 2022. Candi comes to the Club as a retired educator and joined Rotary only one year ago, moving quickly into a leadership role. Candi began her career as a teacher of students with disabilities at Shaw High School in East Cleveland, then became a principal at a vocational consortium for students with multiple disabilities, CEVEC, where students were taught to work through training and job coaching. Candi later served as Mayfield High School’s assistant principal, and finished her career through the regional offices for State Support Teams funded through Ohio Department of Education. Welcome Candi! 
 
Turning 90 But Still Serving Others
Long time Club member Maria Kasier has turned 90!  Kaiser is a faithful attendee of Club 3560 meetings, socials, and volunteers alongside other club members at the environmentally-conscious Medwish.  A mother of five, Kaiser is also an accomplished artist and has items selected for art shows annually. Kasier is passionate about the environment and focuses specifically on reducing the use of plastic.  Maria is proof positive that you’re never to old to consider how you can make an impact and serve others.
 
Education
 
The V. Blakeman Qua Scholarship Awards
On June 15, 2022, the Rotary Club of The Heights of Greater Cleveland awarded the annual V. Blakeman Qua Scholarship Awards to five local high school seniors, at a luncheon at the Shaker Heights Country Club. These scholarships are named in memory of V. Blakeman Qua, a former president of the Rotary Club of Shaker Heights who also established the scholarship fund for the Club. The ceremony was moderated by President Adam Davis, who also presented the Scholarship Awards. The 2022 Scholarship Recipients were: Ayande Joseph from Shaker Heights High School, Francesca Butch from Shaker Heights High School, Paige Colbert from Cleveland Heights High School , James Huff also from Cleveland Heights High School and Alina Roach from Shaker Height High School. The Scholarship Recipients read their Student Essays to the Rotary Club Members. Scholarships are offered annually; check the club’s website for more details.
 
Environment
 
Club Partners with Youth Ending Hunger (YEH)-Interact,
Heights Tree People and Shaker Heights High School to Plant New Trees
Members of Youth Ending Hunger-Interact at Shaker Heights High School, along with Bob Ault and other Club members, enlarged the tree canopy by planting four trees around the Shaker Heights School Administration Building on 15600 Parkland Drive on Saturday May 14, 2022.  The environment-benefiting project was a joint effort, with the Heights of Greater Cleveland Rotary Club receiving the donated native trees species from Heights Tree People, who also provided planting and cultivating advice. Rotarian's have provided continual tree watering through out the subsequent months to ensure the new trees thrive. 
 
MedWish- Sorting, Repurposing of Unused Medical Supplies Saves Lives, Environment
Rotary Club of the Heights volunteers with MedWish, a local medical supply recycling nonprofit, on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. MedWish receives bulk donated medical supplies from local hospitals, which then are sorted, inventoried and prepared to be shipped to medical relief organizations around the world. These actions save lives as well as keep vital medical supplies out of landfills. 
 
Outreach
 
Club ShelterBox Sponsorship with District 6630 In Memory of Jack Young
The Rotary Club of the Heights of Greater Cleveland has co-sponsored a Shelter Box with other clubs in District 6630 for the first time, in Memory of Jack Young, past District Governor. Shelter Box has become the largest Rotary Club project in the world, responding to disasters and conflict across the globe and providing emergency shelter to over one million people. Since ShelterBox was founded, it has grown from one club’s adopted project to Rotary International’s only Project Partner in disaster relief. Individual Heights club members collectively gave $250 towards the shelter box in Honor of Young.
 
Annual Shaker Heights First Responder Awards
Local first responders couldn’t “work from home” during the pandemic -- they remained on call and available to assist anyone in need, often elderly and vulnerable residents suffering from COVID-19 symptoms.  The Club recognized those amazing efforts in Oct. 2021 at an overdue Shaker Heights Police and Fire awards ceremony held at Shaker Heights Fire Station 1, 17000 Chagrin Blvd.  This event has been held and sponsored by the Club on an annual basis until COVID-19 caused a hiatus, and a combined event for both 2019 and 2020 was therefore held in 2021. Thankfully the event returns again this fall, and is scheduled for Wed. Oct. 19th at 8 AM back at Fire Station #1. 
 
Shaker Lakes Nature Center Hike-Run- Sept. 18
Club members including Candi Hazelwood (President) and Ruth Severiens (Treasurer) were on hand for the Sept. 18th annual walk, run and hike sponsored by the Nature Center of Shaker Lakes. Candy and Ruth helped with the snack tables as runners and walkers returned to the finish.  The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes has also hosted the Club’s annual pancake breakfast in recent years, which the Club hopes to resume in the near future. (photo of Candy & Ruth in Shelter Area @ Shaker Lakes.