Home Page | Rotary Club of Kerrville-Morning

In an ongoing effort to give back to those who selflessly gave to us through their military service, The Rotary Club of Kerrville (Morning Rotary) provided deer hunts for veterans this past month, thanks to the philanthropy of Morning Rotarian Randy McClay.

Randy McClay, owner of MC² Ranch in Kerrville, donated whitetail deer hunts for two veterans. Unfortunately, one recipient had to cancel, but Army veteran, Tony Straube was on hand to hunt.

In the words of McClay, “It was a great afternoon with Tony Straube, hunt guide Bill Owen, and myself. Tony arrived around 3:15 p.m. He got his .243 rifle ready and we headed for the shooting range…”

Randy McClay spotting for Tony Straube as he sights in his rifle. Above

Tony Straube hunting from deer blind. Below

Ingram Tom Moore High School Interact Club’s Coins for Christmas

L-R): Ingram Tom Moore High School Interact Club members; Cayleigh Palm, Chelsea Parks, and Walker Ragsdale. Members not pictured include Cassidy Tedeschi, Nikkie Dillard, Samantha Sollers, Cody Miller, Ana Harvey, Madison Davis, and Fortima Martinez.

TheIngram Tom Moore High School Interact Club sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kerrville-Morning (Morning Rotary) conducted a Coins for Christmas fundraising drive during the holidays. Donna Ragsdale, in addition to being a Morning Rotarian, serves as an Ingram Tom Moore teacher, coach, and the Interact Club sponsor. “We collected about 50 dollars in pennies, dimes, nickels, and quarters. It was great to watch students walk by the donation table and drop in their change. The money collected was given to our school counselor who then gave the donations to a couple of our Ingram community families in need for the holidays,” said Ragsdale.

Morning Rotary Spreads Christmas Cheer

(L-R): Rotarian Nancy Riley; Doyle School Community Center facility manager, Lois Shaw; Rotarians Drew Whitehead and Ray Buck; Doyle School Community Center community outreach coordinator, Clifton Fifer, Jr.; Rotarians Waverly Jones; Lew McCoy; Bart Stevens; Randy McClay; Taylor Finley; Danielle Brigatti; Mike Hunter; and, Frank Dunlap.

(L-R): Morning Rotarian Lew McCoy; Caryn Talarico, KSHVSC community relations director; and, Morning Rotarians Kenneth O’Neal and Waverly Jones.

The Rotary Club of Kerrville - Morning (Morning Rotary) ends this pandemic-influenced year by sharing the Christmas spirit with several organizations including the Kerrville State Hospital, Christian Women’s Job Corps, and the Doyle School Community Center.

After cancelling the Christmas party this year, Morning Rotary opted to continue gift-giving with the Kerrville State Hospital Volunteer Services Council (KSHVSC) by providing gifts for 25 patients at the Kerrville State Hospital. The KSHVSC is a non-profit organization that helps provide for the needs of Kerrville State Hospital patients when those items can’t be purchased with state funding, such as Christmas gifts. Morning Rotarian Waverly Jones coordinated with Caryn Talarico, KSHVSC community relations director, to develop the wish list for 25 patients with a $25 limit per patient. Requested gifts were purchased and if the cost of the gift was less than $25, cash was added to the gift for the patient to spend as desired.

Kerrville Morning Rotary Rings Bell for Salvation Army

Morning Rotarians Donna Ragsdale and Frank Dunlap doing their part to spread Christmas joy.

Amy Reno encourages her children, James and Joseph, to put money in the red kettle for those less fortunate.

This past week, the Rotary Club of Kerrville - Morning (Morning Rotary) served the Salvation Army in their Red Kettle Campaign. Fifteen Morning Rotarians took turns ringing the bell for a total of nine hours.

In 1891, Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee launched the Red Kettle Campaign to collect funds in order to feed the hungry in San Francisco on Christmas Day. Little did he know that his idea would become a tradition that would spread throughout the United States and the world. Globally, contributions to Salvation Army red kettles enable the organization to continue its year-round efforts at helping those who would otherwise be forgotten.

Kerrville Morning Rotary “Santa’s Helpers” Assemble Christmas Backpacks for Ingram ISD Students

Morning Rotarians sorting and packing backpacks for middle school and high school girls. Waverly Jones, Treasurer, and club IT specialist is capturing the action via ZOOM for members and guests not participating in person.

L-R: Morning Rotarian and ITM Principal Justin “Critt” Crittenden; Ingram Interact Club members Walker Ragsdale and Samantha Sollers; and, Morning Rotarian and ITM teacher Donna Ragsdale display a completed backpack to be delivered, along with the others, to the ITM counselor.

The Rotary Club of Kerrville - Morning (Morning Rotary) recently had a lot of fun serving as Santa’s helpers. Rotarians assembled 32 backpacks for Ingram Middle School and Ingram Tom Moore (ITM) boys and girls. “Shoppers” Jon Tilley and Taylor Finley bought items for the boys while Nancy Riley purchased items for the girls. Each backpack contains 15-20 personal care items, some “fun stuff” and either cash or a gift certificate to McDonalds. The stylish backpacks were donated by the Rick Ragsdale Family and Ingram Interact Club. The ITM counselor will distribute the backpacks for Christmas as appropriate.

“This type of service project is what makes Kerrville and Rotary special to me. This small act of caring, leveraged with generosity from other local organizations, contributes to building our community. It creates and nurtures relationships, making all of us better,” said Ray Buck, Morning Rotary President.

Morning Rotary Helps Provide Meals for Veterans Locally and State-Wide

(L-R): Morning Rotarians, Waverly Jones, Ron Hackett, and, Nancy Riley; Danny Bezet, CBA; Ray Buck, Morning Rotarian; and Alan Hill, HCVC building manager.

The Rotary Club of Kerrville-Morning (Morning Rotary) recently partnered with local philanthropist and evangelist Danny Bezet of the Texas Hill Country Chapter of the Christian Bowhunters of America (CBA), and Mike Cagle, of Honor Veterans Now, Meals for Vets, to support veterans in the Texas Hill Country and across the state.

Kerrville Morning Rotary Supports Christian Women's Job Corps, Kerr County

L-R: Ann Buck, CWJC Executive Director; Rotarians, Ray Buck, Bart Stevens and Nancy Riley; and, Edna Vandiver, CWJC Assistant Director.

The Rotary Club of Kerrville - Morning (Morning Rotary) recently provided lunch for the interns, staff and volunteers at the Christian Women’s Job Corps, Kerr County (CWJC). Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Rotarians were unable to join the interns for the meal.

Morning Rotary Inducts New Members

(L-R) Nancy Riley, sponsor; Ray Buck, President; “Critt” Crittenden, new member; Dan Dixon, new member; Donna Ragsdale, new member; Frank Dunlap, Membership Chair; and, Bill Sharp, sponsor.

The Rotary Club of Kerrville – Morning (Morning Rotary) recently welcomed three new members to the club. Newest members include Dan Dixon, retired Air Force and defense industry consultant; Donna Ragsdale, Ingram Tom Moore High School teacher and coach, as well as Interact Coordinator; and, Justin “Critt” Crittenden, Ingram Tom Moore High School Principal.

Kerrville Morning Zoom Meetings

Watch a Kerrville Morning meeting here recorded with Zoom! Password access is below with each recording.

Check with members Waverly or Mike for more details.

Are you interested in Rotary or just want to join us each week live?

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87079710582?pwd=eWxrY0hjMlRTclpiWTdubkJxU0ZNZz09

Meeting ID: 870 7971 0582
Passcode: Rotary1

Morning Rotary Donates Dictionaries

Nineteen years ago, Kerrville Rotary – Morning (Morning Rotary) initiated a program to annually distribute dictionaries to Ingram ISD students. For the last several years, Harper ISD was included in the distribution as well. The dictionaries are provided to the students at no cost for their personal use in order to assist them in their studies and to help prepare them for future careers.

“A dictionary is perhaps the most powerful tool a child should own. Its usefulness goes beyond spelling, pronunciation, and definitions. It’s the companion for solving problems that arise as a child develops his or her reading, writing, and creative thinking abilities. Even in this digital age, there’s just something about holding a book and knowing it yours. It thrills me after all these years when a young man or woman recognizes me and tells me they still have their dictionary,” said Nancy Riley, Morning Rotary Dictionary Project Coordinator.

Morning Rotary Supports Ingram ISD Clothes Locker

Standing (L-R): Morning Rotarians, Ray Buck and Bart Stevens; Ingram ISD Superintendent, Bobby Templeton; Morning Rotarians, Mike Hunter; Randy McClay; Jon Tilley; Lew McCoy; Kenneth O’Neal; and, Bill Sharp. Seated (L-R): Morning Rotarians, Waverly Jones and Nancy Riley; Ingram Tom Moore High School Interact Coordinator, Donna Ragsdale.

The Rotary Club of Kerrville-Morning (Morning Rotary) provided almost $800 in new clothes to the Ingram Tom Moore High School clothes locker. The Ingram Tom Moore clothes locker discretely provides clothing to students in need as determined by the school administration.

Morning Rotarian, Mike Hunter, coordinated the project, and he with fellow Rotarians, Waverly Jones, Danielle Brigati, and Randy McClay embarked on a shopping spree at the Kerrville JCPenney store. They purchased a variety of clothing for men and women including hooded sweatshirts, long and short sleeve t-shirts, knit shirts, blouses, and sweaters, as well as essentials like socks and underwear.

Paul Harris Award Presentations

(L-R) Morning Rotarians: Waverly Jones, Treasurer; Nancy Riley (Paul Harris plus three); Randy McClay, Rotary Foundation chair; Bill Sharp (Paul Harris Fellow). Not pictured: Ron Hackett (Paul Harris plus three).

Randy McClay, Rotary Foundation Chair for the Rotary Club of Kerrville-Morning (Morning Rotary) and Waverly Jones, Treasurer, made a joint presentation to club members on the purpose and function of the Rotary Foundation. They also announced that three members received Paul Harris recognition. William “Bill” Sharp, Secretary, received his first Paul Harris Fellow award. Nancy Riley, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Ron Hackett each were awarded their Paul Harris Fellow plus three.

Kerrville Morning Rotarians help “Keep OUR River Clean!”

Ready to tackle the clean up effort. (L-R): Rotarians Bill Sharp with wife, Lucia; Diane Osborne; Lew McCoy; Ray Buck; Mike Hunter; and Kenneth O’Neal. Zoe Van Dyke not pictured.

Recently, The Rotary Club of Kerrville – Morning (Morning Rotary) members and families were busy at the Upper Guadalupe River Authority’s 17th Annual River Clean Up - Reimagined. The River Clean Up is one of 12 service projects and activities sponsored by the club.

Morning Rotary and Neu-Mart Team Up to Support Ingram Athletes

Posted by Ray Buck

Morning Rotarians Diane Osborne, Mike Hunter, Bill Sharp, Nancy Riley, Kenneth ONeal, Ron Hackett, and Ray Buck joined Ingram Tom Moore school administrators and staff in distributing socks to the Ingram Warriors football team.

The Rotary Club of Kerrville-Morning (Morning Rotary) with a generous donation from Mike and Debbie Neutze, provided 600 pairs of socks for boys and girls athletics at Ingram Tom Moore High School.

Kerrville Morning Rotary Honors Original Charter Member

Pictured L-R (seated): Diane Green; Bob Green; Waverly Jones; Katya Sczepanik. L-R (standing): Kenneth O’Neal; Bart Stevens; Ray Buck, Morning Rotary president; Tammy Prout, Noon Rotary president; Nancy Riley; Bill Sharp; Mike Hunter; Jon Tilley; Randy McClay; and Lew McCoy.

The Rotary Club of Kerrville – Morning (Morning Rotary) honored long-time Rotarian and Morning Rotary charter member, Bob Green, with a tribute for being one of the original founding members of Morning Rotary. “This honor is long overdue. As a friend and as a mentor, his wisdom and sage counsel have proven invaluable, both to me and to others. He’s the backbone of our club,” said Ray Buck, Morning Rotary president.

Kerrville Morning Rotary Awards $2,000 Scholarship

(L-R): Taylor Finley, Morning Rotarian and Scholarship Committee Chair; Sean McGinnis; Morgan McGinnis, scholarship recipient; and, Susan McGinnis.

The Rotary Club of Kerrville-Morning (Morning Rotary) recently awarded a well-deserved $2,000 scholarship to Tivy High School senior, Morgan McGinnis. “Morgan was selected not only because of her outstanding GPA and involvement in school, but because of her desire to help and serve others through art therapy. Her essays were very well written and demonstrated the characteristics of a leader,” said Taylor Finley, Scholarship Committee Chair.

Morgan will attend Texas A&M University in the fall where she will major in Psychology and minor in Business. She has a 100.5 GPA and is ranked 23^rd out of a class of 325. “I want to help people understand and express themselves through art,” Morgan said in sharing why she selected the field of art therapy.

Kerrville Morning Rotary Inducts Officers

Pictured L-R: Bob Green, Charter Member; Bill Sharp, Secretary; Mike Hunter, Vice-President; Diane Osborne, President-Elect; Ray Buck, President; Waverly Jones, Treasurer; and Nancy Riley, Sgt. At Arms (not pictured, Jon Tilley, PastPresident).

Bob Green, Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Kerrville – Morning (Morning Rotary) presided over the 2020-2021 Morning Rotary new officer installation. “The Rotary Club of Kerrville – Morning is looking forward to next year with a great group of experienced officers at the helm!” said Green.

Kerrville Morning Rotary Fetes Rotarian of the Year

On June 18th, The Rotary Club of Kerrville – Morning (Morning Rotary) Treasurer, Drew Whitehead, standing in for Jon Tilley, President, named Ray Buck as the 2019-2020 Rotarian of the Year. Annually, the club selects a fellow Rotarian who they believe is deserving of the additional honor. Citing Buck’s dedication and loyal service to the club, Whitehead applauded Buck’s efforts on behalf of Morning Rotary.

“We’re all in this together.” - Jon Tilley, Morning Rotary President

This past week, The Rotary Club of Kerrville - Morning (Morning Rotary) donated 50 pounds of pecans to the Dietert Center’s Meals on Wheels Program and 75 pounds of pecans to CAM (Kerrville Christian Assistance Ministry). As with many local businesses and organizations, the recent COVID-19 pandemic also negatively impacted revenue generation for Morning Rotary.

Morning Rotary Donates to Doyle Community Center

Front (l-r): Lois Shaw, Doyle Community Center facility manager receiving check from Jon Tilley, Morning Rotary president. Back (l-r): Clifton Fifer, Jr, Doyle Community Center community outreach coordinator; and, Ray Buck, Morning Rotary president-elect.

This past week, The Rotary Club of Kerrville - Morning (Morning Rotary) presented a $1,200 check to the Doyle Community Center to assist with meals during the COVID-19 crisis.

Longtime Rotarian Awarded Honorary Membership

The Rotary Club of Kerrville-Morning (Morning Rotary) President, Jon Tilley, has awarded an Honorary Membership to Rotarian John Aceti. “You've been a pillar of our Club and we will have a huge void without you. That said, I understand at some point there's a time all of us will have to make this decision and I respect that,” said Tilley

Morning Rotary Sponsors RYLA Student

Ingram Tom Moore High School (ITM) junior, Walker Ragsdale, recently participated in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) conference in New Braunfels. The Rotary Club of Kerrville-Morning (Morning Rotary) was thrilled to underwrite the expenses for Walker to attend the leadership training.

Service Above Self

The Rotary Club of Kerrville-Morning (Kerrville Morning Rotary) President, Jon Tilley, recently awarded a Paul Harris Fellow to Kerrville Morning Rotarian, Katya Sczepanik. The Paul Harris Fellow recognizes individuals who have contributed, or who have had contributed in their name, $1,000 cumulatively to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary Foundation.

Kerrville Morning Rotary Packs Shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse
Operation Christmas Child

Kerrville Morning Rotary Packs Shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse

Operation Christmas Child

This past week, the Rotary Club of Kerrville - Morning (Morning Rotary) was joined by Past District 5840 Governor Jan Livingston who helped the club members pack shoe boxes with Christmas gifts for boys and girls. The boxes were filled with fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. The shoebox program is an outreach of Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child.

Christian Women's Job Corps

Posted by Ray Buck on Oct 17, 2019

Kerrville Morning Rotary Supports Christian Women's Job Corps, Kerr County

This past week, the Rotary Club of Kerrville - Morning (Morning Rotary) provided lunch for the interns, staff and volunteers at the Christian Women’s Job Corps, Kerr County (CWJC) and joined them for a special time of connecting over the meal. “We had a great time hosting lunch for these incredible women. In the short time we interacted, it was amazing to see the positivity, encouragement and hope instilled in each of the interns. CWJC is a huge asset to our community and we are honored to support them any way we can,” said Jon Tilley, Morning Rotary President