Service Partner

The 2026-27 Annual Service Partner Grant application process is now closed.

Did you miss the ASP Presentations?

Watch the two applicant videos from our May 5 meeting:
 

Shelter From the Rain: https://youtu.be/HhXuBUsDyU4
Senior Citizens Inc: https://youtu.be/il2CXnSjQyw

 

One vote per member in good standing. Deadline to vote is June 1, 2026. The selected ASP finalist will be announced at the club meeting on June 2. VOTE HERE.

 

OUR ASK
Metropolitan Savannah Rotary intends to support, both financially and through volunteer support, organizations that make Savannah a better, stronger, more livable community. Preference is given to organizations whose missions incorporate programs with a tangible impact, providing lasting results for years to come. Funds should be directed toward a specific program, and applicants should outline volunteer opportunities for our members.

Metropolitan Savannah Rotary will partner with one organization for a year (beginning September 2026), providing volunteer support once a quarter and financial support through this grant. The grant recipient will be awarded up to $10,000 based on the success of Metropolitan Savannah Rotary events throughout the year. Throughout the service year, there must be opportunities for hands-on service projects at least quarterly for Metro members. Recipients must also be a 501(c)(3) organization.  
 
We were honored to support Repurpose Savannah as our last service partner. Their organization was focused on sustainability, so we are seeking applicants from other areas of Rotary focus: peace building and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, and child and maternal health.
 

 

FINALISTS for 2026-27 
One vote per member in good standing. Deadline to vote is June 1, 2026. The selected ASP finalist will be announced at the club meeting on June 2. VOTE HERE.

 

Shelter From the Rain Inc

Shelter From the Rain, Inc. seeks support from the Metropolitan Savannah Rotary to strengthen two essential programs that directly serve single mothers and their children in Savannah: our Diaper Bank and Pantry Pal Program.

 
Shelter From the Rain exists to stabilize families during some of their most vulnerable moments. For many single mothers, the earliest stage of parenting is also the most financially fragile—when a newborn requires constant diapers, wipes, and hygiene supplies, while older children still need consistent meals. These are not extras; they are basic necessities that determine whether a household remains healthy, stable, and safe.
 
Diaper Bank
The Shelter From the Rain Diaper Bank provides mothers with critical newborn and infant necessities, including diapers, wipes, hygiene items, and other essential baby supplies. Diapers are one of the most urgent and expensive recurring needs for families with infants, and they are not covered by SNAP or WIC. When a mother cannot afford diapers, it can lead to unsafe diapering practices, increased health risks, missed childcare opportunities, and deepened family instability.
 
Rotary funding would allow Shelter From the Rain to increase the number of mothers served, maintain a reliable supply of diapers and infant essentials, and provide emergency newborn support kits. This ensures mothers are not forced to choose between keeping their baby clean and paying for housing, utilities, or transportation to work.
 
Pantry Pal Program
The Pantry Pal Program provides food support to families with children to reduce hunger, increase stability, and prevent crises caused by food insecurity. Many of the mothers served by Shelter From the Rain are balancing employment, childcare, and limited resources. Even working families often face gaps where groceries run out before the next paycheck.
 
Pantry Pal fills those gaps by providing essential food items that support children’s nutrition and well-being. This program helps ensure children have access to meals that keep them healthy, focused in school, and emotionally secure. It also reduces the stress and anxiety mothers experience when they cannot meet their children’s most basic needs.
 
How This Program Strengthens Savannah
Savannah becomes a stronger, more livable community when families are stable, children are healthy, and parents are supported rather than overwhelmed. When mothers have access to diapers and food, they are more likely to remain employed, maintain housing, and keep their children in consistent childcare and school routines. This reduces strain on emergency systems and strengthens the overall resilience of neighborhoods.
 
Tangible, Lasting Impact
The tangible impact of Rotary funding will be immediate and measurable: more babies with clean diapers, more children with consistent meals, and more mothers able to focus on employment and long-term stability.
 
The lasting impact is deeper: these programs create a foundation for family independence. When a mother’s basic needs are supported, she is better able to stay on track with work, housing, and personal growth. Her children benefit from healthier development, stronger school engagement, and reduced stress in the home.
 
Club Volunteer Opportunities (Examples)
 
1) Diaper Bank Sorting & Packing Party
Metro Rotary members would assist with receiving, sorting, counting, and organizing donated diapers, wipes, and baby hygiene items by size and category. Volunteers would then assemble “Diaper Bank Bundles” and “Newborn Starter Kits” that can be distributed to mothers in crisis. This is a hands-on, high-impact project that works well for groups and can be completed in a single service session.
 
2) Pantry Pal Packing & Stocking Day
Rotary members would help pack Pantry Pal food bags/boxes with shelf-stable groceries and child-friendly items. Volunteers can also organize pantry shelves, check expiration dates, label items, and prepare distribution kits for families. This opportunity is ideal for a club service day because it is collaborative, measurable, and directly supports children’s nutritional needs.
 
3) Community Baby Shower / Drive + Assembly Event
Metro Rotary can host a “Rotary Community Baby Shower” by collecting diapers, wipes, baby wash, infant clothing, and other essentials. Shelter From the Rain would then coordinate a volunteer assembly event where Rotary members sort the donated items and build complete baby supply kits for mothers with newborns. This combines service, visibility, and community engagement in a meaningful way.
 
4) Family Meal Support & Pantry Refresh
Metro Rotary members can participate in a quarterly pantry refresh by helping restock the pantry with targeted items, organizing inventory, and preparing holiday or seasonal family food bundles.
 
FUNDING
Metro Rotary funding will directly support the purchase of diapers, wipes, formula, baby hygiene items, and newborn starter kits for our Diaper Bank, as well as shelf-stable groceries and child-friendly food bundles for our Pantry Pal Program. Funds will also be used for basic program supplies.

 

 

Senior Citizens Inc 

Senior Citizens, Inc. (SCI) requests $9,000 to construct and install four accessible raised beds, plantings, and related infrastructure for The Therapeutic Pathways Garden at the Ruth Byck Adult Day Health Center. Ruth Byck serves older adults who live at home but cannot remain alone during the day due to conditions such as dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other health challenges; 79% of participants have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

 

The Therapeutic Pathways Garden is a sensory garden, specially designed to stimulate the five senses to improve well-being, with plants of different colors, textures, and scents, plus features like water, walking paths, and wind chimes. Sensory gardens benefit older adults- particularly those with dementia- by promoting physical movement, fostering social connection, enhancing mental clarity and boosting overall emotional health.

 

The accessible raised beds funded by this grant will be a predominant and permanent fixture in the garden, with plants including lavender, rosemary, perennials, and seasonal vegetables so that clients can feel, smell, and tend to the plants. The beds will allow clients to participate in gardening activities, either seated or standing. Clients who are not interested in gardening will be able to simply enjoy the sight, smell, and feel of the plants.

 

A STRONGER SAVANNAH: This project strengthens our community by offering a safe, therapeutic environment for our growing population of older adults. The services Ruth Byck provides promote participation in the local workforce and the preservation of household income. While clients participate in structured, therapeutic activities, family members can work and manage household responsibilities. Forty-seven percent of the caregivers for whom Ruth Byck provides respite are employed full-time. Adult day services also offer a cost-effective alternative to institutional care, which can cost up to $365 per day, while the cost of attending Ruth Byck for one day is less than $100.

 

LASTING IMPACT: This project will have lasting benefits for clients by enhancing quality of life. Sensory gardens promote physical activity, social connection, cognitive stimulation, and emotional well-being, particularly for individuals with dementia. Gardening can improve coordination and mobility, reduce stress and agitation, and foster a sense of purpose and accomplishment. A 2018 study in the Journal of Aging and Health found that time in therapeutic gardens increased social interaction and reduced loneliness in older adults. Observational research in dementia care communities show that outdoor environments reduce restlessness and promote calm group interaction.

 

Families will also experience lasting impact. As previously mentioned, adult day services reduce financial burden and allow caregivers to maintain employment. Equally important, families gain peace of mind knowing their loved ones are in a safe, engaging environment, easing stress and supporting ongoing caregiving at night and in the off-hours.

 

Finally, this project creates a lasting impact for SCI, as it is the only remaining component of the Center’s master plan left to be completed. The garden is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. This project will create a safe, therapeutic outdoor space to be used by older adults for decades to come.

 

VOLUNTEER OPPS

​​Metro Rotary members will participate in quarterly volunteer opportunities. First, volunteers will help Ruth Byck clients celebrate the holidays. Then, Rotarians will “get their hands dirty” by completing the raised bed expansion.

 

We estimate between 40-60 total Rotary volunteer hours will be needed to: Ring in the Holidays, Build and Launch, Harvest and Celebrate, and Complete and Commemorate. To support Rotary volunteers, SCI staff will provide volunteer coordination, on-site support, lead volunteer tours, and create recognition materials.

 

September to December- Ring in the Holidays: Metro Rotary Members will help spread holiday cheer with our clients, by playing Thanksgiving Bingo, serving light food at a meal with Santa, singing holiday songs, trimming the tree, wrapping gifts, and making holiday crafts. Festive attire is encouraged! There will also be a role for an optional photographer/storyteller. Six to ten volunteers will spend up to three hours spreading holiday cheer alongside our clients. These volunteers will enjoy knowing that we are never too old to enjoy the magic of the holiday season.

 

January to March
Build and Launch: Six to eight Rotarians will spend up to eight hours helping install four raised beds and preparing them for springtime planting. Light lifting and some assembly may be required. Volunteers will enjoy the feeling of making immediate and lasting progress on the project and pride in ownership of the process.

 

April to June
Plant and Connect: Six to eight volunteers will spend up to four hours planting and maintaining the newly constructed raised beds. Volunteers will have the opportunity to plant alongside Ruth Byck clients, fostering well-being, sensory stimulation, and social connection.

 

July to September
Harvest and Celebrate: Six to eight volunteers will spend up to four hours harvesting the garden, maintain the beds, and participating in an optional cooking demo or garden tasting. Then, volunteers will get a chance to put the finishing touches on a project that leaves a visible, lasting legacy supporting year-round programming for the Ruth Byck Center. All interested Rotary members will participate in a campus tour, group photo, and project celebration at the end of this phase.

 

FUNDING

SCI is requesting $9,000 for the building, planting, and installation of four raised beds in the sensory garden at the Ruth Byck Adult Day Health Center. The raised beds funded through this grant are a critical component of the garden design and will be permanent fixtures in the garden. The beds are part of the overall cost of $84,000 for the full garden project, for which $58,500 has been raised. An additional $25,000 is needed to complete all three phases of the project, $9,000 of which we are requested from this grant.

 

The raised-bed expansion supported by Rotary is an integral component of the Ruth Byck Therapeutic Pathways Garden. Rotary funds will support raised beds, planting, and related garden infrastructure, and may also be applied to complementary garden elements identified in the overall project budget, including irrigation, pathways, seating, shade structures, and other features that directly enhance accessibility, safety, and therapeutic use of the garden. All expenditures will remain within the scope of the Therapeutic Pathways Garden project and advance participant engagement and program outcomes.

 

PROJECT BUDGET:

• Lumber & Hardware (4 raised beds) $2,400

• Soil and Compost $1,000

• Plants, herbs, vegetables, and flowers $ 650

• Sensory Plants, Trellis, and garden supports $ 750

• Mulch, weed barrier, tools and supplies $ 700

• Accessible seating and benches $2,000

• Drip irrigation system $1,000

• Garden signage and Rotary Recognition $500

TOTAL REQUEST $9,000

 

One vote per member in good standing. Deadline to vote is June 1, 2026. The selected ASP finalist will be announced at the club meeting on June 2. VOTE HERE.

 

Questions for the application process for 2027-28 can be directed to Cari Phelps at cari@clarkcreativedesign.com

 

 

Metro's Past Service Partners

2023-24 Re:Purpose Savannah

 

2022-23 Brightside Child & Family Advocacy

2021-22 Girls on the Run Coastal Georgia and Low Country

 

Metro hosted a "Blood, Sweat and Beers" fundraiser for Girls on the Run at Coastal Empire Beer Company in November 2021. Club members also volunteered at the GOTR Fall 5K Celebration Run and other events. Metro President Cecilia Arango said, “The 2021 international Rotary theme is empowering girls. We are proud to support the Girls on the Run program at their area schools and community centers. This program inspires girls to become future leaders and provides them the skills and voice to build confidence and enact action.”

 

2020-21 Urban Hope and Bike Walk Savannah

Metro Rotary made a $5,000 donation to Urban Hope to support the nonprofit’s summer camps, which offer programs, “change the lives of children and youth, bringing them a sense of hope and a sense of future through spiritual and educational development and life management skills.” The club also donated $5,250 to Bike Walk Savannah to support neighborhood street safety audits and other programs that make streets safer for people using all modes of travel.

“Urban Hope will utilize the generous contribution from Metro Rotary to help run our free summer camp program for Savannah area children,” said Jennifer Oetgen, president of the Urban Hope board of directors. “The summer camp program provides a safe environment for underserved youth ages 6-18 for eight weeks. Metro Rotary’s funds will play a vital role to facilitate this impactful program for Savannah’s youth this summer.”

The program involves children in the fine arts, gardening, field trips, and fun activities. It also features a leadership development track for students as they progress through the program. Lunch is provided daily.
 
 
“Bike Walk Savannah is grateful to Metro Savannah Rotary,” said Executive Director Caila Brown. “We thank them not only for the monetary contributions, but also for coming out to support our community cleanups and our street safety audits with the Edgemere-Sackville neighborhood. In 2015 Metro helped us launch our New Standard Cycles program and we were thrilled to be selected as a service partner again this year.”
 
The audits are a collaborative effort with the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health grant administered by Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, and are designed to create activity friendly routes to everyday destinations. The goal of the audits is to identify opportunities to improve transportation infrastructure that will make it more convenient and less hazardous for people to walk, bike, and take transit to school, jobs, and other important destinations.

 

2019-20 Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity

Metro worked with the Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity organization to help move their administrative offices from a former residence to a newly-created office space in the Habitat Restore. The move gave the organization a more efficient workspace so that it can more effectively work towards its vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Tasks included work parties to fix up the former residence inside and out in anticipation of its future sale. MetRotarians also assisted by physically moving the entire contents of the administrative office from the former residence to the new Restore location.

 

2018-19 Ogeechee Riverkeeper

The Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) mission is to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River Basin. Metro worked with ORK to support the Stormwater Wise Windsor Forest project to connect and educate local residents in positive ways on land, water, and their neighbors while providing tangible ways for homeowners and renters to build awareness about drainage systems.

Members supported the project by:
  • Cleaning tires and debris from marshes in the Coffee Bluff area
  • Placing tiles at drain locations throughout Windsor Forest to serve as reminders that the drains lead directly to receiving waters and to discourage dumping of toxic substances there
  • Constructing rain gardens in Windsor Forest to increase rain infiltration and reduce surface runoff
 
 

Loop It Up's mission is to provide creative art experiences and connect resources to children and families throughout Savannah. Using the arts, they foster stronger relationships, allowing them to work together to build a sustainable and interconnected community where everyday needs are met with creativity and confidence.

Metro members painted Loop It Up's new community center, constructed book boxes, and volunteered at Soup It Up (Loop It Up's major fundraiser). 

 

2016-17 Fresh Air Home

image
 
The Fresh Air Home, located on Tybee off Butler Avenue, has been in existence since 1939. The nonprofit offers a beach camp, overnight experience to at-risk children ages 4-11 from Chatham and surrounding counties.
 
The camp provides each child with all that they need. They must only bring a bathing suit and tennis shoes. While the children are with Fresh Air, they experience the beach twice daily, field trips, picnics, arts/crafts, music, outdoor sports, talent shows, square dances and movies.
 
image
Metro money was primarily used to replace the wooden floors in the main building (pictured above). Metro Rotarians completed hands-on projects throughout the campus, including building shelving units, painting nursery furniture and dining room tables, enhancing playground equipment and the ball field, and lots of painting.
 

2015-16 Forsyth Farmers' Market: Farm Truck 912

 
Metro Rotary's 2015-16 Annual Service Partner was the Forsyth Farmers' Market's Farm Truck 912 program. Farm Truck 912 delivers fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables via weekly stops in low-income neighborhoods.  Farm Truck 912 utilizes SNAP/EBT and financial incentives for doubling purchases, helping low-income Savannahians afford healthy produce.
 
Farm Truck 912 also provides nutrition education and health screenings with emphasis on the importance of healthy eating. Through these efforts Savannah’s community members with the least access to good food and healthy choices will be able to “bring home” knowledge of healthy eating and lifestyles, simple cooking and choosing more fresh fruit and vegetables for a well-balanced diet.  All Bring it Home project activities are designed to invite our neighbors to learn, move and grow in a healthy way both with us at the Forsyth Farmers’ Market or in their own neighborhoods via Farm Truck 912.  
 
 
Metro's partnership with Savannah Bicycle Campaign (SBC) helped fund and refurbish the New Standard Cycles bicycle lab.  The bike lab enables SBC to refurbish bikes and donate to those in need of reliable transportation to work and school. 
 
Savannah Bicycle Campaign works through advocacy with local government, education of drivers and cyclists, and encouragement of bicycling as a healthy means of transportation or recreation.  Their goal is to provide bikes to people who need safe and affordable transportation.  “We want to make it safer and more convenient for people who are not elective cyclists but who use bikes as their primary transportation,” John Bennett, executive director, said.
 
 

2013-14 Greenbriar Children's Center

​

 
The Metropolitan Savannah Rotary Club chose Greenbriar as its 2013-14 annual service partner. Club members held two major fund-raisers for Greenbriar, built 20 irrigated and raised beds on the Center's Hoskins Street property, and taught Greenbriar students the ins and outs of gardening.  Funds raised will also be used the maintain the garden.
 
The mission of Greenbriar Children's Center is to promote the healthy development of children and the strengthening of families. The nonprofit provides services that include an emergency shelter, runaway/homeless, residential car, independent living, family preservation, early childhood education and car, and Project Safe Place.
 
 

Metro's First Unofficial Service Partner: West Broad Street YMCA

Before we started officially launched the Annual Service Partner program Metropolitan Savannah Rotary Club's first service partner was the West Broad Street YMCA. Members of the Metropolitan Savannah Rotary Club presented the West Broad Street YMCA with a check for more than $4,000 which was used to purchase new soccer equipment and gear for the children.
 
The soccer program benefits children by teaching teamwork, commitment, healthy lifestyle and self-confidence. The director of the West Broad Street YMCA says the children will benefit tremendously.  "You know one of the mottos of rotary is service above self and this club really exemplifies that. They are coming in tonight, putting the goals together and bringing in the equipment. They are going to spend time with the kids. I mean, who could ask for more? It is absolutely perfect," said Peter Doliber, West Broad Street YMCA executive director.