Home Page Stories
OMNI Safari Dinner 2022
 
Join us and help save a child ...

Zambia, Africa is one of the poorest nations in the world.  Children are starving, clothed in tattered garments and have no shoes, often left to fend for themselves.  A shortage of clean water and proper sanitation also leads to a high death rate.

To help alleviate the suffering, OMNI (Orphan Medical Network International) began providing medical and humanitarian care in 2000.  Rotarian Dr. Henry Maicki has been part of the team of doctors, nurses and support personnel traveling annually to provide medical care since 2001. Team members pay their own transportation and lodging.   

In 2007, OMNI established an elementary school in  the George Community of Ndola. The children receive a nutritious daily meal, health care, shoes, clothing, and mosquito netting in addition to a basic education. Humanitarian care is provided as well. 

Safari Dinner Ticket Price: $100

If you cannot attend, please consider giving to this cause:
    $420 will feed, clothe and educate a child for one year.
    $500 will provide training and food for a family.
    Any amount is appreciated!
 
Read more...
Member Spotlight - Paula Konfara & Vinita Parekh

      WB Rotary Members Collaborate On Service Project

    (1.) Vinita receiving books from Paula in 2021     (2.)  The library in Pune. India
WB Rotarian Paula Konfara is an avid reader and lover of books.  In 2021, she donated numerous children books to be delivered to the Creative Academy in Pune India.  The connection?  Fellow Rotarian Vinita Parekh's sister had started an activity center where children learn reading and writing at the school.  Konfara observed, "Without Rotary I would never have known Vinita and these materials would never get into the hands of people who would really appreciate them.  Many of the books are outdated according to USA standards and yet a treasure for those with no books."
 
 
May Was Recognition Month For West Bloomfield Rotarians
Michigan Week Honorees
Pam Zajac received The Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Civic Leadership Award for her continued service to the community.
Sonja James, West Bloomfield School District Executive Director for Educational Equity and Inclusion, was honored with the Jack Freed Emerging Leader award.
Dr. Gerald Hill, Superintendent of West Bloomfield School District, received the Dr. Seymour Gretchko Youth Advocate Award which recognizes outstanding leadership and advocacy and education for all youth. 
Cindy Hill was recognized for her community service through Rotary and other endeavors with a Lifetime Volunteer Leadership Award.  
 
Interact members Nayan Mullabhotla, Anjali Natarajan and Matthew Gordinier received Michigan Treasure awards for their community service through Interact and West Bloomfield School District projects.
West Bloomfield Rotary Visits The Zekelman Holocaust Center
On March 5, 2022, the West Bloomfield Rotary Club along with Rotarians from other clubs and friends visited The Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills, MI.  It was a moving and educational experience for all who attended.
 
Focus On Our Members...
Raman Singh
 
Our Rotary theme for February is Peace Building and Conflict Resolution.  West Bloomfield Rotary Club Member and President of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit, Raman Singh, recently aired her views on how core human values can help individuals and communities in their peace building efforts.  "The only way that we can heal is to see ourselves in each other.  We need to find common values." she observed.  "Rotary brings people together who share the value of service."   
 
Welcome To Our Newest Member, Art Holdsworth!
                                                            
    (pictured from left: President Marlenn Maicki, Art Holdsworth, AG Linda Hatfield)
The Rotary Club of West Bloomfield officially welcomed William "Art" Holdsworth in December.  Art is eager to become an engaged member of both our club and District 6380 and has already made an impact.  He volunteered for the Team Turkey Thanksgiving meal deliveries and attended a recent meeting of the District 6380 Peace Committee.  Welcome Art!
 
An Update from Paula Konfara...

November 14, 2021

Dear Rotary Friends,

I am so grateful for all of you.  Many have you have sent cards, notes, money and gifts which have touched my heart and eased the burden I have been carrying.  As you know, I was diagnosed With Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. But you know me ……..I refuse to accept the prognosis.  Instead, I pray, ask for prayer, believe God, go to recommended treatments —Chemo and Respiratory Therapy—prepare and eat the recommended foods on Gerson’s Cancer Diet and carry on.  Most of the time I look and feel far better than I should, although I do nap daily.  I do go to hospitals and doctor offices daily, as well as make numerous calls, which are all related to the cancer diagnosis. I retired early and quit or took leave from all my volunteer work including Rotary. Tomorrow, I will be undergoing major surgery, another step on the journey. It will be a long recovery and then more chemo. I do hope to join you at the Christmas party if all goes well.  I really miss everyone and I miss being a part of the great work we do.  It encourages me to hear all the great things you are doing to improve the world. I can’t wait to work side by side with all of you once again. 

Your Fellow Rotarian,

Paula Konfara

 
            TEAM TURKEY IS BACK!!
Help Us Provide Thanksgiving Meals
To Deserving Families
In Oakland And Macomb Counties
Team Turkey 2020
 
Once again, we're raising money to deliver fully cooked Thanksgiving meals to deserving families in the Oakland and Macomb Counties!
This year, the Rotary Club of West Bloomfield along with the Rotary Clubs of Birmingham, Lakes Area, Sterling Heights and Troy plus the Troy Fire Department and Royal Oak Youth Assistance will feed 200 families.   
We want to do what we can to ensure that Thanksgiving is not a time of need for some while the rest of us celebrate a time of plenty.

We Need Your Help...
  • A $60 donation covers the cost of Thanksgiving dinner for 4 people.  Donate here:  TEAM TURKEY 2021                                             or send your check to:
    West Bloomfield Area Rotary Foundation
    PO Box 252264
    West Bloomfield, MI  48325  (Please be sure to specify “Team Turkey 2021” in the memo line of your check.)
  • You also can volunteer to deliver meals on Thanksgiving morning!  Sign up here: TEAM TURKEY DRIVERS.  (Please include your phone number on the registration form)
Thank you for remembering those less fortunate by supporting this annual project!
                 
West Bloomfield Area Rotary Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
OMNI Safari Dinner
 
 
 
 
Join us and help save a child ...

Zambia, Africa is one of the poorest nations in the world.  Children are starving, clothed in tattered garments and have no shoes, often left to fend for themselves.  A shortage of clean water and proper sanitation also leads to a high death rate.

To help alleviate the suffering, OMNI (Orphan Medical Network International) began providing medical and humanitarian care in 2000.  Rotarian Dr. Henry Maicki has been part of the team of doctors, nurses and support personnel traveling annually to provide medical care since 2001. Team members pay their own transportation and lodging.   

In 2007, OMNI established an elementary school in  the George Community of Ndola. The children receive a nutritious daily meal, health care, shoes, clothing, and mosquito netting in addition to a basic education. Humanitarian care is provided as well. 

Safari Dinner Ticket Price: $100

This event is now closed.

If you cannot attend, please consider giving to this cause:
    $360 will feed, clothe and educate a child for one year.
    $500 will provide training and food for a family.
    Any amount is appreciated!
 
Donate here
Read more...
DG BrendaK "WooWoo" Tipton Visits WB Rotary 

             

"Chief Encouragement Officer" BrendaK "WooWoo" Tipton pictured with President Marlenn Maicki and Past President Dr. Henry Maicki during her official District Governor visit on August 6, 2021.  The club received District brochures and a special club banner!                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
West Bloomfield Interact Students Demonstrate Service Above Self!

The West Bloomfield Interact Club had a busy year despite restrictions on service projects due to the pandemic.  Rising to the challenge, students were eager to assist in the ways that they could in order to serve their community and beyond.

Bloomfield Hills Interact President, Rose Mayoras, Playworks Karen Dunham, West Bloomfield Interact President Navya Paingol
and incoming President, Anjali Natarajan.
Official presentation of 150 soccer balls to the Academy of the Americas.  Pictured are Mike Neff, Bloomfield Hills Rotary; Principal Brown; Playworks representatives;Rose Mayoras, Bloomfield Hills Interact Club, Navya Paingol and Anjali Natarajan, West Bloomfield Interact Club; Cindy and Jerry Hill, West Bloomfield Rotary Club.
The West Bloomfield Interact Club receiving a Youth Assistance Recognition Award for their volunteer service.
This year, Interact student made cards for special needs students, and nursing home residents, helped with the Bloomfield Hills' Mercy Place clean-up, the West Bloomfield Garlic Mustard Grass clean-up, assisted with Blessings in a Backpack food distribution, donated 150 soccer balls to Academy of the Americas and more.
Rotarians Serving the Environment

Saturday, May 8 was a beautiful day to enjoy West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve while helping to free of invasive Garlic Mustard plants.  Eight Rotarians, family members and three Interact members were on hand to assist.  WB Parks Staff provided background information about the preserve and the native plants while we worked.  President Floer provided coffee and donuts.  Perfect!

May 8, 2021- Garlic Mustard Stewardship with WB Parks
Interact Club Helps Blessings In A Backpack
Every week, Blessings in a Backpack provides weekend food to 280 students in the West Bloomfield School District.  While most packages are delivered to students at their school, families in the Lakers Online program must pick up their packets at West Bloomfield High School.  On Wednesdays, Blessings in a Backpack volunteers offer weekend food from 11:30am - 12:30pm and 3:30pm - 4:30pm to Lakers Online families who need the extra support.  The volunteers have kept this schedule since October 2020 and will continue until the end of the school year.  Recently, our Interact Club has been assisting with the process which provides a little break for the "regulars" and offers a "Service Above Self" opportunity for the student volunteers.  Thank you for helping address a continuing need in our community.
Lily and Maleeha ready to distribute weekend food for Blessings in a Backpack.
Simran and Nayan at the end of their Blessings in a Backpack shift.
WB Interact Club Brings Holiday Cheer
       
 
The December project for our West Bloomfield Interact Club was one of their favorites - making and distributing holiday cards.  This time, the lucky recipients were patients at SKLD West Bloomfield, a skilled nursing rehabilitation center.  The Interact Club members made and decorated approximately 45 cards.  Club President, Navya Paingol and Club Historian, Anjali Natarajan delivered the cards to the facility on December 24 - just in time for their sleigh ride that evening.  The club's efforts brought joy to many including the staff!
 
 
 
This Thanksgiving - JOIN THE TEAM!
 
 
West Bloomfield Rotary Club once again is joining forces with neighboring Rotary Clubs to deliver fully-cooked Thanksgiving meals to deserving families in Oakland and Macomb counties on Thanksgiving Day.  It’s in our hands to make a difference for those in need around us.  Show your thankfulness this Thanksgiving by giving to others through Team Turkey.
 
         Here's How You Can Help:                             
  • Donate toward food expenses
  • Volunteer to deliver meals  (Drivers are especially needed!)
  • Recommend a family in need
  • Purchase a Rotary-branded face mask
To learn more, volunteer or donate:  https://www.rotaryteamturkey.org

         OMNI - Making A Difference
                                           
                           Dr. Henry Maicki during an OMNI medical mission                                                    "Nearly 20 years ago, I joined a medical team organized by Orphan Medical Network International. OMNI reaches out to the poorest of the poor in Zambia and is devoted to sustained improvements in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children. It provides critical resources such as food, clean water, medical care and education. My trip to Zambia shook me, both personally and professionally, by what I witnessed first-hand. It became very clear that the needs far outweighed available resources to care for these children. I knew right then that I would become a long-time friend of OMNI. I’ve returned to Zambia many times since to be a lifeline for as many children as possible. I believe every child deserves a future. I’m proud that the Rotary Club of West Bloomfield has partnered with OMNI in an effort to lift children out of the cycle of poverty. The support that we extend not only raises the spirits and gives hope to these deserving youngsters, it also impacts the hearts of those who give."
 
You can help!  As we have in the past, our goal is to raise enough money to sponsor at least 20 children.  A $360 Sponsorship provides one child’s needs for an entire year.  
 
Donate By Credit Card
 or PayPal Here:                                                                                                                 
                                           
For Payment by Check:  
 
Make checks payable to: West Bloomfield Area Rotary Foundation
                                                                 
Mail to: West Bloomfield Rotary
              PO Box 252264, West Bloomfield, MI 48325
           
The West Bloomfield Area Rotary Foundation is a non-profit, 501(3)c tax-exempt organization.
   
 
Read more...
Welcome Back!
GeeBee Thimotheose
Welcome back to our newest member, G.B. Thimotheose!  G.B. is no stranger to West Bloomfield Rotary.  He is a former member and past president of our club.  Professionally, he is the co-Founder and Partner of Kyyba Films.  G.B. has executive produced three major feature films, Devil’s Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge, Celebrity Crush and Christmas Coupon which have been distributed around the world.  His films have been featured in major world film festivals including Festival de Cannes, Dances with Film, Sunscreen Film Festival, Gasparilla International Film Festival, Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival (TBUFF), Houston Horror Film Festival, The Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival, Rock Horror Film Festival (Brazil), etc.  His film Celebrity Crush premiered at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre (Grauman's Chinese Theatre) and Devil’s Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge at Festival de Cannes.   
 
G.B. graduated summa cum laude from Walsh College with a Master's of Business Administration.  He also has a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Detroit-Mercy, graduating with honors.  G.B. has membership in such esteemed organizations as Delta Mu Delta, Psi Chi, The National Dean’s List, All American Scholar, and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.  In addition to being a past President of the West Bloomfield Rotary Club, he also is a past President of the West Bloomfield Optimist Club.  G.B. is the only Indian-American to have served as President of both esteemed service organizations.  G.B. is the recipient of the Rotarian of the Year Award, the Spirit of Optimist Community Service Award, and the Society of Excellence President’s Circle Award.
 
Holding Court
 
West Bloomfield Rotary showed up in full color to support Park-To-Treat-To-Go, hosted by West Bloomfield Parks on Sunday, October 25.  A parade of costumed adults, including our President Renee Floer, distributed candy to hundreds of trick-or-treaters who stood beside their car, waiting excitedly for sweet treats to be dropped into their Halloween bags.  Thank you to our Rotarian volunteers Jaspreet Singh and Cindy Hill, Interact members Ysabella Macalino and Simran Chandna plus former Interacters Simran and Surveen Singh and Rotary supporter, Debbie Floer.  
Read more...
      World Polio Day is October 24, 2020

 Jack Nicklaus, Polio Survivor

 "Polio is just a memory now, but it was a horrible disease. I contracted it when I was 13—a year or two before Jonas Salk's polio vaccine was made available. I started feeling stiff, my joints ached, and over a two-week period I lost my coordination and 20 pounds. I recovered after a few weeks, but I still may suffer from post-polio syndrome. My whole career, my joints have gotten awfully sore at times.”  You can help eradicate polio forever.  To donate: http://endpolionow.org
Links
President's Message

Marlenn Maicki

member photo
Welcome to the Rotary Club of West Bloomfield.  We are service-oriented men and women who want to make a difference in our community and in the world.  Join us for fellowship, for the work that we do and for fun!
 
 
Club Information
We meet In Person
Fridays at 11:45 AM
Pine Lake Country Club
3300 Pine Lake Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48324
United States of America
Please note change: We shall meet the first and third Fridays of the month unless otherwise noted.
Get In Touch
Enter your email address and the message you want to send.
fields are required
Speakers
Ginger Barrens
Dec 02, 2022 11:45 AM
End Polio Now
View entire list...
Club Executives & Directors
President
Marlenn Maicki
President Elect
Raman Singh
Past President
Marlenn Maicki
Secretary
Art Holdsworth
Treasurer
Jaspreet Singh
Board Member
Henry Maicki
Board Member
Renee Roberts
Board Member
Scott Loney
The Rotary Foundation Chair
Henry Maicki
Membership Chair
Renee Roberts
Program Chair
Lee Jaffke
STRIVE Chair
Ginger Winter
Interact Sponsor
Ginger Winter
Interact Co-Sponsor
Lisa Boinais
Social Media
Rotary International News
Turning wine bottles back into sand

A club in Washington’s wine country uses a novel approach to keep glass out of the landfill.

Leveraging expertise with Ashoka

Leveraging expertise with AshokaRotary’s partnership with Ashoka brings together the vision of Ashoka’s social entrepreneurs with the local expertise of Rotary members to inspire innovation that can solve problems, create leaders, and

Engagement through experiences

During the COVID-19 pandemic's initial U.S. wave in 2020, Detroit, Michigan, was one of many cities where first responders and medical personnel needed more personal protective equipment. A Rotary club in India learned about the situation and contacted its longtime partner, the Rotary Club of

Using district resource networks

For a long time, the incredible amount of knowledge within Rotary that could help clubs create more effective and sustainable projects was scattered and difficult to access. The creation of district resource networks has remedied that.People can think of the resource networks as "in-house

Leveraging expertise: Habitat for Humanity

Rotary and Habitat for Humanity International attract the same kind of service-minded people, and the partnership between these organizations encompasses an array of areas where housing intersects with Rotary's main causes.This includes access to clean water and sanitation, community

Rotary Club of West Bloomfield ~PO Box 252264~West Bloomfield MI 48325