Rotary Charities Fund
An Artistic Outreach Project by The Rotary Club of Richmond, Marshall Orr and Mary Ann Wilson
In 2020 during the Covid 19 epidemic, the Rotary Club of Richmond commissioned two artists, Hamilton Glass and Matt Lively, to creative a large mural depicting bees leaving their hive to help a number of organizations in the Richmond area that we had donated resources and time to over the years.
The beehive represents our club, number 69 - one of the oldest in the world.
The bees are our members – hard-working, organized, purposeful, and fun-loving. Come join us!
Twelve non-profit organizations are pictured artistically and protected by covid masks from the current virus attacking the world. See if you can identify them!
American flag with flame – Virginia War Memorial
Four hands clasping different races – friendship, diversity
Purple ball with spikes – covid 19 virus with bees attacking
Blue – health workers, first responders, staying one step ahead of the virus
Red Cross – blood donations, emergency vehicles
People – Rotary fellowship
Ramp Building – Project Homes
Firewood – Project Warm
Backpack – “Y” Bright Beginnings
Salvation Army – clothing, bicycles, appliances
Open Book – Costa Rica (their red and white flag)
Needle – Polio Plus
Background: The Richmond Rotary Charities Fund was established in 2017 when an organization called the Suhor-Graham Foundation dissolved after 30 years of existence. Each of the five member organizations received $350,000 which we put with the Richmond Community Foundation. The money came from an individual, George Suhor, who was shown organizations like Rotary by a member of our Club, Stewart Graham, who asked that I be the permanent representative of Rotary to distribute these funds to 501©3 organizations in the Richmond area of the type we generally favor.
When I leave the Club or no longer want the responsibility of handling the Fund, what is still in it shall be turned over to our larger Rotary Activities fund at the Community Foundation. I try to select smaller organizations that have one or more of our members working there as volunteers, and have generally given up to $5,000 per organization on a one time basis. I work with our President and others on selecting non profit organizations and welcome anyone in the Club talking with me about an organization they admire and volunteer at personally.
The above photo of the mural art symbolizes the Rotary Service Above Self creed and was the lead project for the club (2020-21) during the Covid 19 epidemic. The project was valued at $20,000 and is currently being shared with the Rotary District 7600 headquarters in Hampton Roads. For more information contact member Marshall Orr.
