April 21, 2026
Our own D.J. Hampton, Trident United Way organization, gave us an overview of that long-standing community organization in the Lowcountry. D.J. explained the deep roots the organization has had with the Charleston Rotary Club, which helped found the organization many years ago and has a history of members participating in the operation of the organization. The main part of D.J.’s presentation included a series of real-life examples that families facing economic pressures must deal with. The interactive survey-style presentation served to show the difficult choices families must make when dealing with constrained income circumstances. D.J. pointed out that people in this category are widely prevalent in our communities and dependent on organizations such as the United Way as well as Rotary. Thanks for all you’re doing DJ.
Thanks to everyone who came out for the Spring Boil & Build outing and fundraiser on April 23, and Fans in the Stands at The Miracle Baseball league More fun on tap at the Riverdogs for our May social and two big fundraisers in the works – the Duck Race and our Far, Near and Here raffle – our biggest fundraiser of the year. Check out the Keyway for details on thee and other upcoming events and schedules.
To join an upcoming Zoom meeting, use this link and the passcode: Rotary.
To see a replay of the meeting on Zoom, go here
Passcode: WFa1#VQl
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Clara Heinsohn gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Mickey Renner introduced our visiting Rotarians & guests.
- Mac George introduced DJ Hampton, President and CEO of Trident United Way, as both fellow Rotarian and guest speaker.
- MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
April 28, 2026 | Issue 5190| President: Karla Combs UPCOMING EVENTS
- 4/28 – Allison Reener, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- 4/30 – Duck Booth Volunteers @ Riverdogs Stadiumy
- 5/5 – Jimmy Story, Retired US Ambassador
- 5/12 – CCSD Teachers of the Year & Rotary Scholars
- 5/14 – (Social) Riverdogs (link below to sign up)
- 5/19 – Speaker TBD (11am – New Member Orientation)
- 5/26 – NO ROTARY (Happy Memorial Day!)
- 5/30 – Duck Race
NEWS BRIEFS
Reminder … Guest RSVP by 5pm on Monday
If you are planning to bring a guest to Rotary, it is important that you let Carroll know no later than Monday at 5pm. There is some preparation that needs to be done for all guests prior to the meeting. Guest fee is $30 paid at the door. First-time prospective members are free.
Thanks to all the “Fan in the Stands” who came out to support the Charleston Miracle League
A nice Rotary Club of Charleston turnout at the Charleston Miracle League this past weekend as we took in the action of this outstanding community service offered to special needs and young adults who get a chance to play real baseball.
The event was doubly successful in that we helped honor a number of CCSD outstanding teachers who deal with challenged students, giving them each a $500 check in recognition of their service. To the youth of our community, President Karla, Rotarian Clara Heinsohn and CCSD Superintendent Anita Huggins were on hand to recognize the teacher. Thanks to our own Channing Proctor, who founded the Charleston chapter of this organization and serves as the president of the league and as a true champion for all the great work that goes on within this facility.
- Elementary: Katelyn Culpepper (Pepperhill)
- Middle: Cereta James (Northwoods)
- HS: Megan Barbee (NCHS)
Rotary Educators of the Month Program
Our Rotary Club finished our recognition of Educators of the Month at Mitchell Elementary with a bang this week honoring not one, not two but three excellent educators. February’s honoree was Joanna Herscher. Ms. Herscher always brings joyto the school with her affable and helpful disposition. She is always focused on her scholars and lends a hand wherever she is needed. Joshua Browning was the recipient for March. He is very patient and calm when working the students. He consistently strives to apply new teaching skills he has learned, supporting his scholars with academics and behavior. The honoree for April was Katherine Byrd. Ms. Byrd is very flexible and works hard to meet the needs of everyone at Mitchell. She is extremely patient with her scholars and her presence each day supports the entire school.
May Social – Rotary Night at the Riverdogs
Join us at the ballpark for our May Social – Rotary Night at the Riverdogs on Thursday, May 14. First pitch is at 7pm. The club bought 50 tickets for the game; members can sign up using the link below, first come, first served. Members can reserve a maximum of two tickets. Historic Rotary Club of Charleston: May Social – Charleston RiverDogs Game
Calling All New Members – New Member Orientation on 5/19
Our club is hosting a new member orientation on Tuesday, May 19 from 11am to 12pm at Halls Signature Events (upstairs)! It will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more regarding club structure, committees, and values. The orientation is a requirement on the Blue Badge Checklist. All newly inducted members should plan to attend if they have not already attended a session. This meeting truly gives you all the tools to optimize your involvement in the club.
Far, Near and Here Raffle: buy tickets now!
Back by popular demand, our Far, Near, and Here raffle is up and running. We’ve got four great prizes that are available to win by purchasing tickets in each individually priced draw. We’re limiting the number of tickets sold for each so the odds are very good and the prizes are even greater. So pack your bags and buy some tickets. And its even easier to buy a tickets by going to this web site https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/historic-charleston-rotary-spring-and-summer-raffles This is our clubs biggest fundraiser of the year so lets all support this effort to keep our RCCF fund plentiful to help so many great local causes. Drawing will be held at our Skyline Social event on July 9 On offer this year are:
- Far” Escape Raffle Ticket: Turks & Caicos Caribbean Getaway (Ticket: $100)
Enjoy a 5-night stay at a luxury 2-bedroom condo at The Sands Resort on world-famous Grace Bay Beach. This unforgettable experience includes a welcome cocktail, dinner for four at Hemingway’s beachfront restaurant, and admission to the Rotary Club of Providenciales weekly meeting. Relax, recharge, and take in one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful destinations. Dates subject to availability; excludes Christmas and New Year.
- “Near” Escape Raffle Ticket: NC Wine Country Weekend (Ticket: $75)
Adopt a Duck
Our Rotary club is teaming up with the Daniel Island Rotary Club for this year’s Duck Race on May 30. You can support both our club and the RCCF by adopting one or more ducks. To participate, simply click the link: https://charlestonduckrace.com/participating-clubs/historic-rotary-club-of-charleston/ ! 
Volunteers are also needed to work at the Duck Booth at the RiverDogs Stadium on April 30 and May 14 from 5:30-8:30pm. Free entry into the game is included. Please click on this link to volunteer. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-63352850-duck
Club Seeking Outbound Exchange Student for 2026/2027 School Year
Our club is currently accepting applications to sponsor a local high school student for an outbound exchange for the 2026/2027 school year. The Rotary International Youth Exchange Program offers teenage high school students ages 15-19 an opportunity to make new friends, learn new ways of living, open themselves up to different ideas, a new culture, traditions, experiences, and to adapt and gain fresh perspectives while attending high school in another country and living with 2- 3 host families arranged through the local Rotary Club. Typically, the exchanges offer the same benefits to host families. The parents of sponsored outbound students for the exchange program will need to be one of the hosts for the Charleston Rotary Club’s sponsored inbound students (for 3-6 months), while their children are overseas on their exchanges.
- The students selected for sponsorship will go overseas in August 2026, for the 2026/2027 school year, attend high school and will be hosted by 2 to 3 families and the local Rotary Club in the host country.
- The Charleston area family of the sponsored student will need to be one of the hosts for our sponsored inbound student that will arrive in August 2026.
CCSD currently supports this program and is accepting inbound international exchange students at various Charleston County high schools for the 2025/2026 school year and has done so for many years. The following is a website link for additional link formation: Rotary International Youth / Student Exchange Information: Youth Exchanges | Rotary International . Interested students and families will need to complete an application, engage in an interview process, and attend online and in-person training before the exchange year begins in August 2026.
Member Spotlight
Member Spotlight provides you with the opportunity to share your background, work and hobbies with our membership. It’s a great way for other members to learn more about you. You can be a long-time club member or a new member to participate. Please review the available slots below and sign up to secure your spot. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-60923410-member
Continue to Support Polio and By Becoming a Polio Plus Society Member
All Rotarians are encouraged to continue to support Rotary International’s efforts to take action and end Polio for good. You can support our efforts to end Polio by becoming a Polio Plus Society member by donating $100 through this link https://raise.rotary.org/Sandy-Morckel/fundraiser987. Club Service Team Needs Meeting Day Volunteers We are always looking for Greeters, Invocation & Pledge presenters, as well as volunteers to introduce our visiting Rotarians & guests at weekly meetings. Please contact Club Service Chairman, Sgt. Cody Callerman at [email protected] if you would like to volunteer at a weekly meeting.
“Birthday” Blue Bucket Donations
President Karla plans to announce all monthly member birthdays at the first meeting of every month. Blue Buckets will for the first meeting of the month will be “Birthday” buckets and all donated contributions the first meeting, unless otherwise announced, will go to support BabyBLOOMS, which is a program at the Ronald McDonald House Charleston. This new program offers support and resources designed to strengthen and assist families as they journey from the hospital to home. Through weekly learning and activity sessions, BabyBLOOMS seeks to enhance the parenting experience using evidenced-based practices, while creating an opportunity to enrich bonding, infant care, and development. On the other Tuesdays of the month during July and August, Blue Bucket donations will go to the Kerrville, Texas Rotary to support flood disaster relief in their area.
Be “Spotlighted” at a Meeting
The Rotary Club of Charleston will continue to highlight members twice a month. Members who are interested in being spotlighted should let Julianne Farnsworth know of your interest and she will assign you a date. Members who want to be spotlighted need to let me know of your interest and I will assign you a date. At the assigned meeting, you will have approximately 2 minutes to tell the Rotary Club membership about yourself. You can use visual aids and/or just talk about yourself. Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to “spotlight” you and your personal and professional achievements. Contact Julianne Farnsworth at [email protected] if interested or for more information.
Rotarians Against Human Trafficking (RAHT)
One of Rotary’s big initiatives this year is to combat human trafficking. It’s a prevalent, but also oftentimes unspoken issue. Past President Alissa Leitzow is the RAHT Ambassador for our club, so please reach out to her for more information on how to get involved. [email protected]
Rotary International 2025/2026 Theme: Unite for Good 
The 2025-26 presidential message, announced at the 2025 Rotary International Assembly in February, will remain Unite for Good, which calls on Rotary members to be a force for unity in a world increasingly divided by politics, geography, and ideology. Through service projects, Rotary brings together people of every background — across races, religions, and professions — in a shared mission to do good in their communities.
Support The CART Fund
It is easy for club members to make individual contributions and support The CART Fund electronically. The CART Fund has new portal www.mycartfund.org, which you can easily access. As a Rotarian and a DACdb user, you automatically have an account already set-up in your name. Your user name and password are the same as it is for the DACdb.
Our Club is on Social Media: New Instagram Account
We now have a new Instagram account! Please follow us on @charlestonrotaryclub. Thanks To Charlie Jablon for setting this up. Continue to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn, too. and share posts with their followers too! We also need members to send us picture of anything they do that relates to Rotary – service projects, meetings, events, etc. We would love to keep our accounts full of smiling Rotarians! Photos can be send to Mike Sottak, [email protected], or Rob Byko, [email protected] Charlie Jablon [email protected], and Jason Noble, jnoble @primefinancial.com
MEMBER NEWS
Our sincere condolences to Alan Burgreen on the recent passing of his father, Douglas Burgreen. Our thoughts and prayers are with Alan, Caroline, and their family.
Congratulations to Walker Rice on the recent birth of his second daughter, Isabella, and to proud grand momma, Barbara Rice. Both mom and baby are said to be doing well.
We were pleased to have two former members with us this past Tuesday – Steve Morse and Past President Jermain Husser. Steve Morse is currently residing in Hawaii with his son, Cal. President Karla gave Steve a check to support the Wahiawa-Waialua Rotary Club’s flood recovery efforts. The RCCF matched the funds that were gathered in blue buckets at the end of March. Past President Rob Dewey also presented Steve with a “TY Pin” to thank him for his many years of dedicated service to our club. Past President Jermaine attended as a guest of Marion Platt and our hope is that he will rejoin us as a member.
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidate has applied and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Brian Cummings – sponsor: Michael Smith; classification: Financial Planning
In the event you know Brian, please tell a member of the Board how he will serve the ideas of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Charlie Jablon
Charlie Jablon gave us some insights into his past and current status as an insurance professional here in the Charleston area. Charlie was born in Maryland and came to Charleston via his college experience at the College of Charleston. He fell in love with the city and decided to stay and make a life here, and perfect his golf game. We appreciate all Charlie does for our club and he is our current Instagram master, spreading news and information our club.
Birthdays
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- 5/3 – David Baggs
WELLNESS TIP
Declutter Your Space, Declutter Your Mind
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home! It’s a great way to reset your mindset too. A clutter-free environment promotes mental clarity, productivity, and relaxation. Start by organizing workspaces, donating unused items, and deep-cleaning high-traffic areas to create a space that feels fresh and uplifting. Beyond physical spaces, declutter digital spaces as well. Unsubscribe from unnecessary emails, organize your phone apps, and limit screen time to create a more mindful relationship with technology. A clean, organized environment can enhance focus, reduce anxiety, and bring a sense of renewal, making it easier to embrace the positivity of the new season.
OTHER AREA MEETINGS
Mondays
Summerville – Oakbrook: 7:30 a.m., Monday, Westcott County Club, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, North Charleston
North Charleston: 12:30 p.m., Monday, Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC
Summerville Evening: 5:30 p.m., Monday, Montreux Bar and Grill, 127 W. Richardson Ave., Summerville
Tuesdays
Charleston: 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber, Charleston
Goose Creek: 12:45 m. Tuesday, Gilligan’s, 219 St. James Ave., Goose Creek
Cainhoy: 6PM, on the first and third Tuesday of the month, King’s Cross Church, of Clement Ferry Road. https://www.cainhoyrotary.com
Wednesdays
Daniel Island: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island
Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mt Pleasant Presbyterian 302 Hibben St
Summerville: 1pm-2pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday. Hilton Garden Inn-Homewood Suite/Lowcountry Conference Center, 406 Sigma Drive
Thursdays
North Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Marriott Hotel, 4770 Goer Drive, North Charleston.
Moncks Corner: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Gilligan’s Restaurant, Moncks Corner
St. Andrews (West Ashley): 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Bessinger’s BBQ, 1602 Savannah Highway, Charleston.
Fridays
Charleston Breakfast: 7:30AM Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber, Charleston
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our Rotary club actively uses social media — and we encourage you to interact with us through social media.
We’re on Facebook. Take a look at our page and be sure to “like us”.
We’re on Twitter. You can follow us @chasrotaryclub.
We’re on Instagram. You can follow us @ChasRotaryClub.
ABOUT THE KEYWAY
The Keyway has been published weekly as a newsletter for the Rotary Club of Charleston for more than 90 years.
President: Karla Combs
Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, [email protected]