Out & About: Greensburg Rotary honors 2 members' wives at holiday party

Amidst their Christmas revelry, Rotary Club of Greensburg members took time to give special recognition to the wives of two members.

The group gathered for a party on Dec. 14 in the YWCA Westmoreland County’s Huff Mansion headquarters in Greensburg.

Honorees were Janet James and Barbara Bloom, who were named Paul Harris Fellows as a special expression of appreciation made through donations by their husbands, Gene James and Bob Bloom.

Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their names, of $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation. The program was founded in 1957 and named for the founder of Rotary International.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune Review

Greensburg Rotary Club secretary Bob Bloom with his wife, Barbara, at the club’s Christmas party on Dec. 14 at the YWCA Westmoreland County Huff Mansion in Greensburg, where Barbara was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.

President Brian Beeghly discussed the club’s interest in education and community betterment projects, starting in Greensburg and reaching out across the nation and around the globe.

“I’m sure Rotary is involved in Kentucky and Tennessee and what those folks are suffering there,” he said.

Locally, the club donates more $10,000 annually to graduating seniors from Greensburg Salem, Greensburg Central Catholic and Hempfield Area high schools and assists students who attend leadership training at Outdoor Odyssey in Boswell and the World Affairs Council in Pittsburgh.

In 2021, its “Happy Bucks” program raised funds for organizations and initiatives including March for Parks, CASA of Westmoreland, Greensburg Salvation Army, Stock the Pantries, Operation Santa Claus, Westmoreland Children First and many others.

Grants to community nonprofits through its Madeline Nichols Trust totaled $17,000 this year.

Also at at the party: Patty Lonsbary, Jeff Balzer, Mark Barnhart, Chuck and Nancy Anderson, John and Linda Dixon, Nick Silvis and Kylee Thompson, Debbie King, Cindy Strayer, Katie Fritsch, Bobbie Stemmler-Guest, Yvonne Bloom, Chris and Christina DeDiana, Jim Graham, Ed and Camille Nemanic and Susan Printz.