FY24–25 Recap: The Magic of Rotary in Action
- Merritt Island Rotary Club
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The Merritt Island Rotary Club’s Annual Installation Dinner, held on Friday, July 26th, 2024 was a joyful celebration of service, leadership, and the spirit of Rotary. The evening marked the official passing of the gavel from Immediate Past President Gary Ledford, whose dedication and steady leadership guided the club through a successful year of meaningful service.
We were honored to welcome Russ McCarthy as our FY 24-25 Club President. With energy and optimism, Russ shared his vision for the the year, rooted in the theme “The Magic of Rotary.” Installed by District Governor Jula Babbitt, the board was poised to build on our club’s legacy of impact - THEY DELIVERED!
Service, Scholarships, and Smiles
Our commitment to “Service Above Self” came to life in so many ways throughout FY24–25. Under the leadership of Community Outreach Chair Denise Daniel, our club brought holiday cheer to the residents of Bedrock Rehabilitation by decorating a beautiful Christmas tree, bringing light and warmth during the season.
We were thrilled to award scholarships to three extraordinary local students:
Audrey Ponton, headed to the U.S. Air Force Academy to major in Systems Engineering with dreams of becoming a pilot.
Kameron Goff, already a licensed pilot at 17, will attend Florida Tech to study Aeronautical Engineering and pursue a future in the Air Force.
Preston Odom, future entrepreneur, is set to study Marketing at USF.
These young leaders inspire us—and we are proud to support their journeys.
Youth Engagement & Leadership
We welcomed RYLA participant Kameron, who shared his powerful leadership experience with us. RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is a dynamic program for students to build confidence, learn new skills, and step into their potential. We were also grateful to hear from Hessa, a Ugandan youth exchange student who gave us a glimpse into her life-changing experience abroad.
Community Clean-Up & Giving Back
Our club also made a hands-on impact by participating in a community cleanup on Fortenberry Road, joined by District Governor Jula. It's just one example of how Merritt Island Rotary turns words into action—making our neighborhoods cleaner and brighter for all.
And who could forget the fun at Woof It Up at the Park? Our Pet Pics Booth was a hit, raising funds to support everything from student scholarships to holiday gifts for individuals in nursing homes. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and supported our mission. Your generosity helps us keep giving back.
Looking Ahead: FY25–26
We’re already planning for an incredible year ahead. We’re excited to announce Gene Burkett as our incoming President for FY25–26 and Jula Babbitt as our President-Elect. With this powerful leadership team, the future of Merritt Island Rotary is bright—and full of purpose.
