Rotary Club of Decatur Daybreak

Putt-Putt Fellowship Night

An evening of fun, laughter, and friendly competition! We enjoyed a relaxing night of miniature golf while strengthening friendships on President Betty Hunt Koval’s first club social to kick off the Rotary year!

Happy Birthday to MuMu Jones & Betty Hunt Koval!!!

What comes with this years new President Betty..? A new type of social!

Every 5-Wednesdays we’ll be hosting delicious, laid back, open to everyone, POTLUCKS!

The food was out of this world and it was great to have real conversations and catch up with each other in our personal lives.

If you’re looking for a community to connect with, stop on by at one of the our weekly meetings at the Alabama Center for the Arts, reach out if you need help or assistance with anything, or just message us if you need someone to talk to. Life is better when you have friends and family to share it with and depend on😊

Awesome move by our local Department to take the initiative and donate to those in need in instead of contributing to waste and throwing away outdated equipment and gear.

Hope to see more from our and to support and assist those in need😊😊😊

Decatur firefighters to donate retired gear to communities in Africa for humanitarian efforts Decatur Fire & Rescue will donate retired protective equipment to support humanitarian efforts in the Republic of Zambia, Africa.

District Fellowship and the Maloney Exhibit

Amazingly fun attending the the closing of Mark and Gay Maloney’s exhibit at , along with Laura Hunter Adamsky, Charles B. Langham, Ronnie Smallwood, and others from across District 6860.

Mark Maloney and Gay Maloney entertained us with funny stories from their many travels and shared the clothing and costumes connected to those experiences, several of which were on display. There is already talk of a second show focused entirely on textiles, of which they have many!!

🌞 Weekly Rotary Post - July 22, 2026

Very beautiful morning at Decatur Daybreak Rotary!

💛 Moment of Reflection

Andrea Stewart shared a heartfelt poem about chasing your dreams, holding onto hope, and living without regret. A powerful reminder that the smallest steps toward our purpose still matter.

🎤 Guest Speaker: Brandy Strickland - Hospice of the Valley

Yesterday we were honored to welcome Brandy Strickland, who shared the deeply meaningful work she does with Hospice of the Valley’s Bereavement Program. Brandy helps children navigate the loss of loved ones with honesty, compassion, and courage, creating safe spaces where kids can talk about the memories and emotions that matter most.

She reminded us that:

• Children are often the purest, most open-hearted storytellers
• Healing begins with real conversation, without phones or distractions
• The “little things” we remember about loved ones are often the most powerful and lasting
• Asking how someone feels instead of why something happened opens the door to true healing

Brandy also shared about Camp Hope, a one-day bereavement camp at Ingalls Harbor now celebrating its 30th anniversary - a place filled with joy, connection, and support (not sadness). They need volunteers, and our club is encouraged to help.

❤️ Ways to Support Hospice of the Valley

• Volunteer at Camp Hope
• Purchase Valentine’s Day baskets
• Support Friend for a Friend
• Provide in-kind donations for their Tailgate Fundraiser
• Offer auction items — even simple things like Visa gift cards or handmade items

Hospice of the Valley is Decatur’s only nonprofit hospice, fully reliant on donations. Their work is tender, courageous, and absolutely essential and we are grateful for everything they do.

💵 Happy Bucks (PolioPlus)

• Andrea shared her visit to the Washington D.C. Rotary Club — where they already knew about Daybreak and Gay!
• We heard about the updates on our collaboration with Chestnut Grove including teacher breakfast on August 4 and monthly reading plans

🎉 Next Week — July 29

We’re meeting in the Performance Arts Lobby for a potluck-style social meeting! Every 5th Wednesday will be a fun, fellowship-focused gathering so bring a dish and bring a smile.

A heartfelt thank you to Decatur Youth Services Director Mr. Johnny Jones for his unwavering dedication to our youth. His love for the children is evident every day, and they truly love and respect him in return.

Because of his vision and commitment, six incredible weeks of Camp Safe Haven were made possible, providing our youth with a fun, enriching, and safe place to spend their summer. His desire to see every child have a safe summer—and a brighter future beyond—is an inspiration to us all.

Thank you, Mr. Jones, for your leadership, your compassion, and your commitment to making a lasting difference in the lives of our children.