On Friday evening, April 25, 2025, at Holly Tree Country Club in Tyler, 48 contributors joined together to celebrate the successful Legacy Campaign held by District 5830 Rotarians. The evening opened with an enjoyable hospitality hour with entertaining piano music and lots of great conversation as Rotarians from all across Northeast Texas came together to celebrate. There was a continuous slide show with a wide variety of both local and international projects that have been supported by our clubs. There was another slide show that thanked each donor for their donation or commitment to The Rotary Foundation. DG Jeff Johnston welcomed everyone to get the party started.A special, “Thank you” and words of congratulations was first given by Rotary Major Gifts Officer, Shelley Hill, and then PDG Carroll Greenwaldt offered the blessing for the meal. Donors enjoyed a wonderful meal of either ribeye steak or baked salmon, and they continued the conversation over their meal. Later, Greg Lier, Zone 31 Endowment/ Major Gifts Advisor, and then Pamela Stewart, Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, each offered their appreciation and words of support for the successful campaign. Legacy Campaign Chairman, PDG Ted Huffhines, facilitated a discussion panel with PDG Fay J Durant, Pamela Walters, DGE Damon Donnell, and Terri Dieke. They each talked about why they have chosen to support The Rotary Foundation now and throughout their lifetime, as well as, what projects or Areas of Focus they are most passionate about. The discussion closed with what they would tell someone who was considering supporting the Foundation for the first time. PDG Huffhines concluded the evening with briefly sharing his passion for what we can do, together, as Rotarians to make a lasting impact here and around the globe. He thanked everyone for their participation, and then he revealed the success of the First D5830 Legacy Campaign - donations and commitment totaling $1,122,210.73!
These resources will be used to provide clean water, improve education, promote peace, improve health outcomes, and many other important projects. Approximately 85% of these resources were in Bequests. As they become realized in the future, these funds will be used to fund life changing, and in many cases, life-saving projects- FOREVER!
The Legacy Campaign will officially close on June 30th. If you are interested in participating, there is still time. You can reach out to your Club Foundation Chair, DG Jeff Johnston, PDG Ted Huffhines, PDG Jack Welge, or District Administrator Shirley Pinnix-Evans. They will get you all the information necessary to help you make your decision.
District Governor Jeff Johnston and Legacy Campaign Chair Ted Huffhines want to thank all of our donors and express our appreciation and excitement for this tremendously successful campaign. We also want to thank all of the Table Captains and the Celebration Committee for their great work!
In Rotary Service,
DG Jeff Johnston and PDG Ted Huffhines
