Rotary Club of Asheville

What an amazing night honoring so many People of Action in our Community! Thank you for all of our community members who came out to help us thank the leaders that are propelling our community forward! https://lnkd.in/eWMXuTTw

What a night!!! Thank you #Asheville for showing up and helping us celebrate our community’s People of Action.

Don't miss your chance to help us celebrate and honor local heroes at our People of Action Gala on March 6, 2025 The evening will include a seated dinner, drinks, and live music. Funds raised will support the Rotary Club of Asheville Foundation, which provides scholarships, recognizes local teachers and first responders, protects the French Broad watershed, and supports international humanitarian projects in Guatemala, Honduras, and Argentina. We are proud to honor Marta Alcalá, Executive Director of Equity for Asheville City Schools, in the service area of Basic Education and Literacy. She has spent over 33 years promoting literacy, racial justice, and educational equity in the community. Tickets can be purchased at https://lnkd.in/eXQvzyCd awards-gala.

The Rotary Club of Asheville will host its second annual People of Action Gala on Thursday, March 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville. The event recognizes outstanding local leaders who embody the Rotary mission of“service above self.” In the Rotary Service Area of Supporting the Environment we are proud to recognize Lang Hornthal, Co-Executive Director of EcoForesters, which has helped restore and conserve over 100,000 acres of Appalachian forests through sustainable forestry initiatives. Join us by getting your ticket at: https://lnkd.in/eXQvzyCd awards-gala.

“We are proud to honor these seven outstanding community leaders,” said Eva-Michelle Spicer, President of the Rotary Club of Asheville. “They have made a significant impact to our region, each in their own way, and this is our way to recognize them for the selfless work they do every day.” Join us on Thursday, March 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville. The event recognizes outstanding local leaders who embody the Rotary mission of “service above self.” This year’s honorees will be recognized in seven key areas of community impact: ? Peace-Building and Conflict Resolution: Dr. Oralene Simmons, founder and president of the MLK Prayer Breakfast in Asheville, has led the annual event since 1982, growing it to over 1,000 attendees. ? Disease Prevention and Treatment: Dr. Shannon Dowler, a family physician and public health leader, has worked extensively in STD education and led North Carolina Medicaid’s transition to managed care. ? Water Sanitation and Hygiene: Ben Woody, Assistant City Manager, accepts the award on behalf of the Asheville Water Resources Department for their outstanding response restoring potable water after Hurricane Helene. ? Maternal and Child Health: Dr. Amy Marietta expanded Mountain Area Health Education Center - MAHEC’s Project CARA, a prenatal health program for women with substance use disorders, improving birth outcomes and reducing infant mortality. ? Basic Education and Literacy:Marta Alcalá, Executive Director of Equity for Asheville City Schools, has spent over 33 years promoting literacy, racial justice, and educational equity in the community. ? Economic and Community Development:Jeffrey Kaplan Kaplan, Executive Director of Venture Asheville, has led efforts to create high-growth jobs while raising $1 million in economic recovery funds and fostering innovation in Western North Carolina. ? Supporting the Environment:Lang Hornthal, Co-Executive Director of EcoForesters, has helped restore and conserve over 100,000 acres of Appalachian forests through sustainable forestry initiatives. Tickets can be purchased at https://lnkd.in/eXQvzyCd awards-gala.

This is quite the week as we prepare for our People of Action Gala on March 6th. Ticket sales will close soon and you do not want to miss your chance to help us honor our local heroes. In the area of Economic and Community Development we are proud to honor Jeffrey Kaplan, Executive Director of Venture Asheville and CEO at Optimist Ventures, has led efforts to create high-growth jobs while raising $1 million in economic recovery funds and fostering innovation in Western North Carolina. As a key member of our Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce team Jeffrey has been part of helping bolster the #AsheveilleComeback! Join us in honoring Jeffrey and all of our honorees by purchasing your tickets at https://lnkd.in/eXQvzyCd awards-gala. #serviceaboveself #AshevilleStrong #ChamberofCommerce #RotaryInternational

Have you been wanting to help celebrate some of our local heroes? Join the The Rotary Club of Asheville as we host our second annual People of Action Gala on Thursday, March 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville. The event recognizes outstanding local leaders who embody the Rotary mission of “service above self.” As we continue to highlight our honorees, we would be remiss to not recognize all of the amazing work by the Asheville Water Resources Department post- Hurricane Helene. Accepting our award for service in the area of Water Sanitation and Hygiene is Ben Woody, Assistant City Manager, who will be accepting the award on behalf of the full team for their outstanding response restoring potable water after Hurricane Helene. Tickets can be purchased at https://lnkd.in/eXQvzyCd awards-gala City of Asheville #AshevilleStrong #serviceaboveself #RotaryInternationa

Our second honoree at the People of Action Gala is Dr. Shannon Dowler, a family physician and public health leader. Dr. Dowler is being honored in the Rotary Service area of Disease Prevention and Treatment for her extensive work in STD education and led North Carolina Medicaid’s transition to managed care. Join us in honoring Dr. Dowler and our esteemed selection of honorees at our People of Action Gala on Thursday, March 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville. Tickets can be purchased at https://lnkd.in/eXQvzyCd awards-gala.

On March 6th, 2025 the Rotary Club of Asheville will be hosting our People of Action Gala to honor outstanding local leaders who embody the Rotary mission of “service above self.” Honorees are selected from the 7 service areas of Rotary. In the area of Peace-Building and Conflict Resolution we are proud to recognize Dr. Oralene Simmons, Founder and President of the MLK Prayer Breakfast in Asheville. Dr. Simmons has led the annual event since 1982, growing it to over 1,000 attendees. The evening will include a seated dinner, drinks, and live music. Funds raised will support the Rotary Club of Asheville Foundation, which provides scholarships, recognizes local teachers and first responders, protects the French Broad watershed, and supports international humanitarian projects in Guatemala, Honduras, and Argentina. Tickets can be purchased at https://lnkd.in/eXQvzyCd awards-gala.

Get your tickets now to join us on Thursday March 6th from 6-9pm, for our second?recognition gala honoring our local community heroes. Rotary clubs worldwide focus their efforts on seven areas, and we are thrilled to present awards for outstanding achievement to individuals who embody a "service above self" mindset in our local region. The following awardees will be honored for their dedication in specific areas at our People of Action Gala event: ? Peace-building and Conflict Resolution: Dr. Oralene Simmons (MLK Prayer Breakfast) ? Disease Prevention and Treatment:?Dr. Shannon Dowler (US Dept. of Health & Human Services; MAHEC; CDC) ? Water Sanitation and Hygiene: City of Asheville, Water Resource Dept (Assistant City Manager, Ben Woody) ? Maternal and Child Health:?Dr. @Amy Marietta (MAHEC) ? Basic Education and Literacy:?Marta Alcalá?(Asheville City Schools) ? Economic and Community Development:?Jeffrey Kaplan (Venture Asheville) ? Supporting the Environment:?Lang Hornthal (EcoForesters) https://lnkd.in/eBtnZ3EX