Stories

2024 –The Magic of Rotary!
The Rotary Club of Texas City.  The Texas City Rotary Foundation and The Texas City Rotary Anns held their 2024-2025 Installment Banquet last night at the Charles T. Doyle Convention Center, Texas City.  It was a night that club members, families, and friends gathered to fellowship, welcome the incoming Rotary Officers Board of Directors, and thank those who served.

Rotary Club of Texas City - Officers and Board of Directors.
Melissa Tortorici, Club President. Mike Griffin, Secretary. Mike Cooper, Treasurer. Dixie Sholmire, President-Elect, and Sonny Tholcken, Sgt.  At Arms

Directors serving 2023-2025:  
Ben Baty, Richard Chapa, Don Gartman, and Donna Newding.

Directors serving 2024-2026:
Lonnie Cox, Stephanie Hughes, Amber Prouty, and Chris Sharp

Texas City Rotary Foundation – 2024-2025 Officers and Board of Directors.   Officers:  Ben Baty, President.  Kitty Potter, Vice President.  Mike Griffin, Secretary/Treasurer.

Directors: Phil Roberts, Aric Owens, Melissa Tortorici, Dixie Sholmire, and Jami Clark, Community Advisor.

Texas City Rotary Anns - Officers and Directors 2024-2025
Dawn Tholcken, President. Sandy Gartman, Vice-President. 
Robin Moss, Secretary. Denise Beene, Treasurer. Paula Roberts, Parliamentarian

One-Year Directors:  Zella Wilson, Amanda DeVries, Lana Toups, and Mary Ann Reed.

Two-Year Directors: Lori Carnes, Bonnie Baty, Olivia Selman, and Liuda Sharp.

Members thanked the outgoing club president, Gary Scoggin, for his service, leadership, and accomplishments, which will be highlighted separately.

The evening's special guest was Dr. Carla L. Wyatt, Harris County Treasurer. She presented the 2024 officers with a plaque from her office.  

A delicious banquet-style dinner, catered by Bennos, and refreshing drinks were enjoyed.

 

Our club’s newest community project was developing a Butterfly Garden at The Independence Village in Texas City!   Residents can now bask in the beauty of vibrant flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, creating a serene oasis right in our community.  Not only does the garden offer a picturesque spot for relaxation, but it also provides residents with a meaningful project to tend to and nurture. It's a wonderful opportunity for everyone to connect with nature and each other while cultivating something truly special.  We're incredibly grateful to Rotary District 5910 for their generous matching grant, which made this project possible. Special thanks to Rotarian Chris Delesandri for spearheading this initiative with dedication and passion. We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to landscaper Chris Jennings for his expertise and invaluable contribution to bringing this vision to life.  As we eagerly anticipate watching the plants and flowers take off and cover the entire bed, we're excited to announce that a dedication ceremony will take place soon! Together, we've created a haven that not only enriches our surroundings but also fosters a sense of community and pride. Here's to many joyful moments and colorful encounters in our beautiful Butterfly Garden!

   

$52,500 was awarded to these graduation seniors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please welcome Timothy Herd as the newest member of the club.  He was proposed by Joe Stanton under the classification Government – Community Officer. 

Tim is the PR Officer & Recruitment Coordinator for Texas City Police Department.

The Rotary Club of Texas City offers scholarships through our Rotary Foundation and the Frank Webb Foundation to students based on their financial need, academics, extracurricular and services activities.  A memorial scholarship in honor of Dr. John Acree, who was a Rotarian for over 44 years and served on the Board of Trustees for TCISD for 19 years; A memorial scholarship in honor of Lee and Ellen C. Owens provided their daughters (Kitty Potter and sisters); a memorial scholarship in honor of John Garrett Scoggin who graduated from Texas City High School and University of Houston Clear Lake before passing away from a rare muscle disorder; Frank Webb Foundation and the Texas City Rotary Foundation.  From left to right: Lily Temple-Dozier (TCRF $2000); Tava Obungu (Lee and Ellen C. Owens $2000); Leah Lillie (Frank Webb, $10,000); Carys Morris (TCRF $10,000); Emie McCoy (TCRF $2000); Manuel Gonzales, IV (Frank Webb $10,000); Shelby Deromie (TCRF $2000); Holden Musick (TCRF $10,000); Adriana Sauceda (Dr. John Acree $2000); and Kaitlyn Allen (John Garrett Scoggin $2,500).

 

Pictured with President Summer and President Elect Gary is Hillary Gramm with Higher Up Texas and some of her staff and students.  The Texas City Rotary Foundation (Frank Webb Foundation donated funds) and our Rotary Club donated a generous gift of $25,000.00! The donation will fund the remainder of their goal to purchase a van!  This partnership began a year ago after HUT presented at a program on their organization at one of our  meetings.

 

The Rotary Club of Texas City and City of Texas City partnered on a Rotary District 5910 Grant Project.  Two large oak trees were planted in front of the Rotary Pavilion.  These trees will help to shade many community members while at the Rotary Pavilion watching or attending various events.