When Gary Hanna joined the Clarkston Rotary Club three years ago, it wasn’t long before he was put in charge of a big event.
Hanna organized Michigan wineries and restaurants for a wine-tasting fund-raiser that spring at Oakhurst Golf and Country Club
‘It was a success,? Hanna said. ‘We made money to support all the things we do.?
For 2007-?08, he has been tapped to serve as Rotary president, which means he is president-elect this year. Tim Everhard is the 2006-?07 president.
‘I had to think about it, to see if I had the time to do it right,? Hanna said.
After a couple days, he decided to go for it. Duties include setting up a board of directors and coming up with goals and strategies for the new year.
‘We’ll do some brainstorming and make decisions as a team,? he said. ‘I’m looking forward to it.?
Broad goals are to continue growing the club’s membership and serving the community, both locally and internationally.
‘We focus locally and also on different spots around the world,? he said.
Clarkston Rotary is teaming up with Resurrection Church to raise $300,000 for a community well in Haiti.
‘Hopefully that will happen this year,? Hanna said. ‘It’s a worthwhile project.?
He enjoys volunteering with Rotary and also the ski patrol at Mt. Holly and the Athletic Boosters Club at Clarkston High School. Last year, he logged in about 650 volunteer hours.
‘I keep busy, with that and work and family,? he said. ‘It’s a lot of fun. I get a lot of satisfaction working with Rotary. It’s a great group of people.?
Even standing out in the middle of the street in early winter is fun, as the Rotary does during its Goodfellows newspaper fundraiser.
‘I enjoy snow,? he said. ‘I meet a lot of nice people who stop, give money, and tell us ‘thanks.??
Also making it worth the effort is the Shoes for Kids program, which is funded through the Goodfellows sale. This past December, Rotary helped more than 500 children in need by providing them with shoes, boots, hats, and mittens.
‘My heart goes out to them,? he said. ‘People see Clarkston as an affluent area, but there are people who need help here, too.?
Hanna, who is originally from Flint, works with EDS as a project manager. He and his family were transferred by the information-technology company to Wisconsin in 1990. They returned five years later, and had to decide where to live.
‘I said, how about Holly, or Grand Blanc, or Waterford, but it was no, no, no,? Hanna said.
Nancy, Gary’s wife, is a high-school teacher, and wanted their children, Kelly and Kirk, to attend schools in the Clarkston district.
‘She was particular about the school district ? Clarkston has good schools,? Gary said. ‘But I couldn’t find a house I liked. I ended up building one.?
Kelly and Kirk kept busy with school sports, including volleyball, basketball and football. Gary stayed busy too, joining the Boosters.
‘I started cooking hot dogs at football games,? he said.
He served as vice president, and is still active with the club.
His volunteer work with Mt. Holly started 35 years ago.
‘We pick up people when they get injured and treat them,? he said.
About three years ago, he was interested in joining a community service organization. One day playing golf, a friend suggested the Rotary Club.
‘I was looking for an organization like that,? Gary said.
He joined up at his first meeting.
Upcoming Rotary events include the Clarkston Community Players presentation of ‘Seven Rabbits on a Pole,? set for 7:30 p.m. on March 8 at 4861 White Lake Road. Tickets are $20, which includes the show and refreshments.
This year’s Spring Wine Tasting is set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. on March 27 at Oakhurst Golf and Country Club, 7000 Oakhurst Lane in Independence Township. Tickets are $40 in advance at the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Clarkston Rotary Club meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Deer Lake Athletic Club, Courtside Room, 6167 White Lake Road. For more information, check www.ClarkstonRotary.com.