Rotary flips pancakes for good causes
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Drawing from money earned at the annual July Fourth pancake breakfast fundraiser at the United Methodist Church, the Delphi Rotary Club donates money throughout the year to worthy causes. College scholarships and other monetary gifts are awarded to groups and individuals most in need.

Carroll County Advocates for Literacy, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, was the latest recipient of the breakfast profits as they accepted a check for $518.29 on April 12. The money will be used to fund a new program, "Families Stepping to Success."

Literacy group board president Kelly Currie explained new funding streams had to be developed due to funding loss from the county council of between $3,000 and $5,000 for 2007. Additional money makers are being organized, such as last year's Scrabble tournament, to assist with programming costs.

The new family program is expected to increase time families spend reading at home together and use the library as a unit, enable parents to communicate with teachers by reading and writing letters as well as attending parent-teach conferences. It is designed to compel adults without high school diplomas to enroll in GED classes and encourage non- English-speaking families to enroll in ESL classes locally.

Currie said studies indicate children who spend little time with parents in literacy-building activities have low literacy achievement. The new program will give parents and children a safe and positive setting surrounded by books, arts, music and family interaction.

The library will work in conjunction with schools, social service agencies and court personnel to identify families who would benefit from the program. The literacy group intends to serve 30 families in the program.

For program information contact Kelly Currie, Delphi Library Director, at (765) 564- 2929.

The Delphi Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at noon at the United Methodist Church. The next meeting will feature "Administrative Assistants Day." All members are encouraged to bring their support staff to the meeting. For Rotary information, contact president Jeff Quirk at (765) 564-3346.