Rotary donates to unique car care fund, welcomes director of Bar Association
The Rotary Club of North Fort Myers was recently acknowledged for contributing to a unique charity, the Car Care Ministry of First Christian Church.
“Our club donated $750 to do oil changes for needy single moms and the elderly,” said Rotary President Ed Schumate.
Bob Foster of the ministry thanked the club.
“These are single mothers who are really financially challenged, along with elderly,” he said. “The funds helped service 179 cars.”
While the effort isn’t new — it began in September 2006 — it is a needed service now more than ever in the area.
The guest speaker for the Thursday, Nov. 20, meeting was Nanci Galbraith DuBois, executive director for the Lee County Bar Association, who also talked about helping those in need. She talked to club members about the pro bono work the association performs.
“We do a lot of pro bono work, we see the need every day,” she said.
She noted the foreclosure rate issue that has brought the local area into the national spotlight, a big part of the need.
“We recently received a $5,000 grant to help us help the community,” she said.
The pro bono cases the association handles are foreclosure and family law issues, no criminal cases. “Those are referred to the public defenders office.”
Those interested in pro bono service can contact two different resource organizations. The first is Florida Rural Legal Services at 334-4554 and the other Lee County Legal Aid at 334-4491.
“If someone doesn’t qualify at those, we also have a lawyer referral service, a low-fee panel people should request. If they qualify there its a lesser fee for services,” she said.
She said her organization has also had free seminars on legal issues, and more are planned for the future, specifically for Lehigh Acres and Cape Coral.
One yearly event that helps many is “Law In The Mall,” a day of free legal services, is held at Edison Mall. It will be held the last Saturday in April.
“It’s one of the biggest things we do in the community,” she said. “There will be panels to help people with foreclosure issues and other legal matters. What we do is have people bring in all of their legal papers, any kind of legal issue for legal advise.”
Rotary officials also announced upcoming events.
The Rotary Club holiday party will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, at Magnolia Landing, starting at 6 p.m.
On Dec. 11, the club will vote on officers for the 2009-2010 year. Officer candidates announced were Deena Westberry, president; Peggy Gleason, president-elect; Dave Rice, vice president; Ray Hair Sergeant-at-Arms and Dwight Sedgewick, treasurer.
The Board of Directors will remain the same, said Shumate.
Of be-coming president, Westberry said, “I’m very excited. It’s a great organization.”
On Dec. 13 and Feb. 7, the Rotary will attend Bike Night in Cape Coral.
The Rotary Club of North Fort Myers meets every Thursday morning except holidays at 8 a.m. at Del Tura Country Club.