The Rotary Club of Cincinnati – the region’s leading professional service organization – hosted their annual Christmas party for the disabled students at Roselawn-Condon School this Tuesday. Every year, Rotarians head to Roselawn-Condon school to do crafts, sing songs and eat cake and ice cream with the kids. The highlight of the party was a special visit from Santa Claus who brought each child a gift, generously donated by Rotarians. The cafeteria burst with excitement as the students unwrapped their gifts to find a special item or toy they had asked for. Rotarians bought and wrapped 118 gifts for this year’s bash.
“The celebration holds a special significance for Cincinnati Rotarians,” Mary Ronan, Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent and Rotary Club member explained. “Rotary Club of Cincinnati actually helped create Condon School, and when it first opened in 1925, it was one of the first schools in the entire country that was specially designed for orthopaedically handicapped children. Its creation provided so many disabled children educational opportunities they might otherwise not have had at that time, and it continues to be a place of hope and opportunity for children with disabilities today.”
For Rotarians, the holiday season isn’t the only time for giving. Throughout the year, Cincinnati Rotarians put forth time and resources toward a variety of organizations and causes. “Rotary works year-round to make a difference in our community,” Rotary Club of Cincinnati’s Executive Director, Linda Muth commented. “In the summer, the club supports Camp Allyn, a camp in Batavia founded by Rotary and currently operated by Stepping Stones that serves disabled adults and youth. Our signature fundraiser, Believe 2 Achieve raised over $145,000 last year for Camp Allyn and other organizations that support those with disabilities.” As part of Rotary International, club members have the opportunity to make an impact on a larger scale. As Muth puts it, “Cincinnati Rotary is bigger than just community service. It’s community leaders from all over the globe coming together to solve world problems and better the lives of others. It’s truly great to be a part of such an impactful group of people.”
View Mary Ronan’s full interview with Local 12 by clicking HERE.
