Member News

Paul Harris Fellowship Award Presented to Mel Curtis By Cliff Wurster

Mel Curtis, the Czar of the YMCA of Centre County Anti-Hunger Program, was alas presented in-person Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award by Cliff Wurster, Immediate Past President of the State College Sunrise Rotary Club, at the Moshannon Valley YMCA, Philipsburg, PA.

Back Story

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when schools, businesses, and other community resources were either closed or mandated to follow mitigation restrictions, a growing number of people across Centre County started facing food insecurities. Mel Curtis was asked to organize and implement what came to be known as the YMCA Anti-Hunger Program. What started as an offshoot of the Summer School Lunch Program during the 15-plus month pandemic crisis, has masterfully grown into a countywide assault on every level of food insecurity impacting school aged children, families, seniors, veterans, and others impacted by job layoffs and loses. Well into the second year, it became clear that hunger doesn’t take a vacation, and neither has the ever growing team of volunteers and stakeholders that Mel has amassed, motivated, and led to make this far reaching program such a resounding success. What started with hundreds, now serves thousands, and operations behind the scenes and at distribution sites across the county are 24/7. On behalf of the State College Sunrise Rotary Club, who secured a Rotary District Community Grant to help fund several weeks of the School Back Pack Program, we welcome Mel Curtis into the fraternity which acknowledges individuals who made a substantial humanitarian contribution to one of the focus areas set forth by Rotary International– Improving Maternal & Child Health. Mel Curtis is a true Anti-Hunger Hero and deserving recipient of the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award!

New Member Meredith Henderson Joins the Club : 24-JUL-2019

Cliff Graduates RLI – 1-JUL-19

RLI facilitator Vicki Zimmerman, from the Rotary Club of Muncy, congratulates Pres-Elect Cliff Wurster, following graduation ceremonies at Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, Saturday, June 29, 2019. The RLI course is comprised of three 6- hour blocks completed in sequence. Cliff enrolled in the first session conducted in Bellefonte, January 5, 2019; attended the second unit in Johnstown, March 9, 2019; and completed the final seminar at Shepherdstown, WV, June 29, 2019. Pres-Elect Cliff joins Secretary Tiffany as the only Sunrise Club members to attend this comprehensive training. Club members interested in learning more about the curriculum and a possible club funded scholarship, are encouraged to talk with either graduate.

Rotarian of the Year – 2019

Tiffany J. Mathias joined the State College Sunrise Rotary Club in August 2018. From day one, she exhibited a commitment and enthusiasm to excel in the basic Rotary activities such as meeting attendance, club committee work, membership recruitment, and participation in projects and fundraisers. She maintained perfect attendance, making-up promptly whenever business travel precluded meeting attendance. She was a regular as a guest member at monthly Board meetings. She proposed two new prospects that are now active, dynamic members. She volunteered to chair the “Letters to Santa” program and infused it with new life. While balancing career, family, and Rotary commitments, she attended and graduated from the three-part training seminars conducted by the Rotary Leadership Institute. Tiffany will join the Board as the club secretary this coming year; she is the standard setting Rotarian of the Sunrise Club.