New member Jason Ashley was inducted at the March 31 meeting by Membership Chair Bruce Yeager. Jason is a CPA who was sponsored by Sonny Huntley. Make sure to meet and welcome Jason to the club.
On March 31, VLR presented a check for $1000 to Monarch Express. Pictured above are PE Henry Criss, Mira Scott and Club President Joe Rowey
President Joe Rowey presented a check for $1000 to the speakers from Pocket Full of Sunshine on April 7, 2026
President Joe Rowey was recognized by Foundation Chair Greg Wynn for achieving PH+2
Congratulations, Joe and thank you for supporting our charity, The Rotary Foundation.
SOCIAL:
April 22 - Sundown Saloon - Port Royal Plaza 5:00pm - 7:00 pm
SPEAKERS:
4/7/2026
We had speakers from Pockets Full of Sunshine.
It is a Hilton Head Island based non-profit dedicated to creating vocational and social opportunities for adults with disabilities (known as “Rays”). Based at the Sunshine House on Arrow Road they offer vocational training, crafts, and community events. Their mission is to provide life long social and vocational opportunities for adults with special needs. We viewed a short video (there is a longer version on their website). The organization is years old and started at the First Presbyterian church once a month. Now it is busy every day and operates out of the Sunshine House. Currently there are 130 participants and they can attend various programs and socials. The programs are free, however there is a cost for socials. They have a sporting clay shoot fundraiser and also raise frunds from sales from their store. They create various items and bake cookies. Visit their website for more information. www.pocketsfullofsun.org
3/31/2026
Mira Scott presented information about the Monarch Express which is a Mobile Art and Poetry experience. It is the second mobile art initiative, the first being the Loggerhead Express.
It features Butterfly inspired art and is hosted by Breeze Trolly with the partnership of the Town of HHI, Breeze, the local art community and the local business community. It offers a way to educate people about the island and promotes Hilton Head Island's unique identity, highlights environmental awareness, makes art accessible to everyone and is a creative way to tell the island's story.
3/24/2026
Charlie Clark, VP of Communications from the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton Chamber of Commerce provided an interesting presentation. Tourism is our #1 economic driver and has a $3.1 billion economic impact on our local economy. We have one of the highest repeat visitor rates. She talked about visitor demographics. Tourism generates tax revenue and creates jobs for area residents. Statistics show that 89% of residents are extremely/very proud to be residents of Hilton Head Island and 84% agree that it is a very safe place to live. In 2025 there were over 2400 mentions and stories about Hilton Head in major media sources. Charlie showed a video which makes us all proud to be residents of this great Island. Visit the chamber website (over 3 million visited it last year) www.hiltonheadchamber.org
360/40 Celebration of the Town of Hilton Head
The 40th anniversary of the town's incorporation and the 360 anniversary of the island's sighting
The famous Vanlandingham Popcorn wagon was on hand to provide attendees with freshly popped popcorn
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