STATE OF THE CITY BENEFITS: Rotary event sends $1,500 each to Penrickton, Education Foundation

The Rotary Club of Taylor and Mayor Rick Sollars were on hand Thursday, April 10, to donate the proceeds of the 2014 State of the City Address to two of the city’s finest non-profit organizations. The presentation was made during the Rotary’s regular meeting at the Lakes of Taylor Golf Club.

The Penrickton Center for Blind Children and the Taylor Public School Foundation for Educational Excellence each received a $1,500 check. The 2014 SOC was held in late February and marked Mayor Sollars first official speaking engagement. He updated the community on the early efforts of his administration and outlined his agenda for future improvements. Also held at the Lakes of Taylor, the Mayor spoke to a sold-out crowd of nearly 200. The event was also live streamed by The News-Herald Newspapers.

The official check presentation was made by Rotary officials Larry Wright and Fred Pepper and Mayor Sollars to Suzanne Downing, president of the school foundation, and Kurt Sebaly, executive director of the Penrickton center.

The Penrickton Center for Blind Children is a unique, private non-profit agency, providing five-day residential, day care and consultation/evaluation services to blind, multi-disabled children ages 1 through 12. Each program is individually designed to promote independence in all aspects of daily living. The center utilizes its experience and expertise to train and serve families, children and professionals through support services, education and advocacy.

The Taylor Public School Foundation for Educational Excellence is a non-profit independent organization of volunteers committed to enriching the educational environment of the Taylor School District. Established in 1986 through an endowed gift from a local resident, the foundation strives to maintain and enhance the excellent reputation of the district by building a broad base of financial support. Its mission is to generate, manage and distribute financial and other resources to the Taylor Public Schools for the purpose of assisting and supplementing district programs and projects designed to enhance the quality of education.

“I’m glad the proceeds from the event are going to two such deserving organizations,” Mayor Sollars said. “And I’d like to thank the Rotary Club once again for presenting the State of the City Address.”

PHOTO: Presenting checks for $1,500 to the Taylor Public School Foundation for Educational Excellence and the Penrickton School for Blind Children are Rotarians Larry Wright (left) and Fred Pepper along with Mayor Rick Sollars (right) of the City of Taylor. Suzanne Downing is the president of the school foundation and Kurt Sebaly is the executive director of Penrickton. The Rotary Club of Taylor split the $3,000 proceeds from Mayor Sollars’ 2014 State of the City Address with the two organizations.