Rotarians help teens through rough times

VIRGINIA BEACH, February 5, 2010 -- “It is hard to believe people would dedicate time to us that don’t have to,” said one teen at the Virginia Beach Youth Crisis Home. “I want to make changes in my life so I can help somebody like me. I had a lot fun."

Virginia Beach Rotary Club members have volunteered time at the home once a quarter for years to provide friendship, fun, pizza, foosebal, ping pong, and bingo.

"Bingo may not be any teen's idea of a fun Friday night, but when you add a Wal-Mart and Target gift cards to each winning game, it takes on a lot more excitement and the teens are really into the game," says David Rourk (Owner, Rourk Public Relations).

Under the leadership of Dick Olenych (Owner, Spectrum Printing), the Virginia Beach Rotary Club re-energized its community service to this very worthy cause.

"My wife and I have been talking about our time with the teens for days," says Olenych. "If not for the Grace of God and some very, very kind people, 35 years ago I could easily been a resident. It truly is our pleasure and reward to help in any way possible."

Rotarian Earl McDonald (retired Navy Master Chief) says, "In exchange for a couple of hours of volunteering I get the company of many good teens. You can't beat that."

Youth Crisis Home Program Director Todd Walker said, "The Crisis Home really enjoyed the visit from the Virginia Beach Rotary Club. This was a spirit-lifting experience for all of us and we are very grateful for the relationship we have with Rotary."

Volunteers for this community service were:

- Area Governor Wayne McCoy (President, Mid Atlantic Environmental)

- Dick Olenych (Owner, Spectrum Printing)

- Dot Wood, (President, JD&W, Inc - commercial construction)

- Dan Edwards (Chairman, Virginia Beach School Board)
- Earl McDonald (retired Navy Master Chief)
- Jamie Pearson (Engineer, Stihl)

- Jim DeBellis (former Virginia Beach Economic Development Director)
- David Rourk (Owner, Rourk Public Relations)

- Hearst Vann (Senior VP, BB&T)

- Kathy Katsias (President, The Katsias Company)

The Virginia Beach Rotary Club's next volunteer night at the Youth Crisis Home is April 16, 2010.

About Rotary
Rotary has over 1.2 million men and women members globally in over 32,000 clubs in 168 counties. Rotary community service volunteers enjoy the camaraderie of a community service group and business association that provides humanitarian aid work and service at the local and global levels, as well as excellent opportunities for business networking. The business group encourages Rotarians to maintain high ethical standards in their businesses and lives, and strive to build goodwill and peace in the world.

David Rourk contact

david@rourkpr.com, (757) 478-0150

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