Rotary Club of Lake Wylie | Service Above Self

If you’re in Lake Wylie and you spot an otter, look a little closer, it just may be Josh the Baby Otter and he’s here helping local children learn about water safety.

In the last week, the Rotary Club of Lake Wylie once again brought the Josh the Baby Otter water safety and literacy program to the Kindergarten classes at three area schools -Oakridge Elementary, Crowders Creek Elementary, and Bethel Elementary.

The Rotarians talked to the children about what water safety means and
read the book Josh the Baby Otter. The book delivers the message of the importance of learning how to float and never going near the water without an adult in a fun and age-appropriate way.

Then a special guest stopped by, Josh the Otter, to dance with the Kindergarteners to the song “Learn to Float.” Josh gave all the children hugs and high fives before each child received their own copy of Josh the Baby Otter, a coloring book, and sticker.

Ten Rotarians participated in the programs, but the entire club raised funds and put the book packets together. Matt McGarity, who wore the Josh costume, said, “I’m happy to be part of a program that teaches kids about an important and life-saving topic in an engaging and exciting way.”

Janet Gaglione, expressed at a Club meeting that, “this is one of the most rewarding things we get to do as Rotarians.”

Josh the Baby Otter was created by Blake and Kathy Collingsworth in memory of their son Joshua who passed away in a pool drowning incident in June 2008. Their goal is to prevent future drowning tragedies through early childhood education and water safety courses.

According to the CDC, drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children ages 1-4. And the second leading cause of accidental
death for children ages 1-14. The month of May is National Water Safety Month.

For more information on the Josh the Otter program visit joshtheotter.org.

At their 8th Annual Celebration of Service event, the Rotary Club of Lake Wylie awarded Amy Strong with the 2018-19 Rotarian of the Year Award.  The Award is given annually to a Rotarian that exemplifies the motto, Service Above Self. 

Some of the immense contributions and accomplishments that Amy has made to the club since joining include: 

• Organization and expansion of the club’s Josh the Baby Otter Water Safety and Literacy Program
• Helping organize the clubs shoebox program through Samaritan’s Purse
• Helping to provide a match to the clubs Alzheimer’s Research charity, The CART Fund
• Participation in the clubs picnic tables project for the YMCA
• Instrumental in the canned food drive that netted over 2 tons of food for the Clover Area Assistance Center
• One of the top club members in sales during the charity raffle which funds the clubs service projects
• Attended and graduated from The Rotary Leadership Insitiute, one of only three club members to accomplish this in the club’s history
• Attending District events such as Membership training, Pre-PETS and PETS (President-Elect Training Seminar)
• Joined 33,000 other Rotarians from 174 countries around the world for the 2017 Rotary International Convention
• Awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award from The Rotary Foundation in June of 2018 for her support of its charitable efforts around the world.
• Maintained perfect attendance and engagement since she joined Rotary in 2016
• Volunteers in our community outside of Rotary with the Clover School District and the Community Cafe

At their 8th Annual Celebration of Service event, the Rotary Club of Lake Wylie awarded Gene McCarthy with the 2018-19 Unsung Hero of the Year Award.  The Award is given annually to a non-Rotarian in our community that exemplifies the motto, Service Above Self. 

Gene McCarthy began volunteering for the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program in 1999.  The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program has more than 5,000 locations in neighborhood libraries, malls, banks, community centers, and senior centers. There’s no fee and no sales pitch for other services and AARP membership is not required.

Gene, through this service, offers free tax preparation help to anyone especially if you’re 50 and older, and can’t afford a tax preparation service.  After seven years he took over the local coordinator duties. He “manages” 12 Tax Consultants and helps prepare hundred’s of individual’s taxes. He makes sure there are enough consultants available to assist clients. He also sets up the equipment, makes sure the software is installed and operational, and the  Library is set up properly.

Gene is onsite at the Clover library two days a week and many hours before and after the actual client work making sure the client’s taxes are processed correctly and in a timely manner. This program helps hundreds of local residents every year. He has been the coordinator for twelve years and had participated in the program for a total of 19 years and growing.