Dish-Houston

Rotary Skyline and Pepperdine Houston Chapter welcomed past Step Forward Day sponsors and many guests to their Kickoff Reception for Step Forward Day 2012, where about 80 attendees took in the beautiful views from The 43^rdRestaurant & Bar atop the Wedge Building while enjoying drinks, quesadillas, and delectable finger foods.

Guests were welcomed by Rotary Skyline President Ovi Galvan who participated in the traditional exchange of the club banners with visiting Rotarian Roseann Higgins (Phoenix 100 Club). Then Rotary Skyline Founder & Pepperdine Houston Alumni Charter President Corbett Parker provided an overview of how Step Forward Day was started 24 years ago by 2 Pepperdine students. These folks simply recognized the need for volunteers in the local community and wanted to share their passion for service with others.  Step Forward Day has grown to include 4,200 service hours across the globe and growing every year. 

Step Forward Day is described as a simple yet significant way for the community to be a neighbor and to participate in our mission and calling.  It is a great way to start the year out right, the chance to make new friends, and to prepare oneself to always "step forward".

The location of this year's focus will be Westview School. The Westview School is a private, non-profit school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  The school was founded in 1981 to provide a structured, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment for children with learning differences which prevent them from being successful in regular programs.

SFD 2012 Co-Chair Michelle Bohreer provided an overview of this year’s service projects which include installing a water feature with a solar powered pump, nature garden, butterfly garden, hummingbird garden, working with Westview student to create an indoor mural or mosaic, Christmas play set painting, library re-organizing.  Donna Marshall, Head of Westview School and John Moring, Development Director were on hand as well. Some of the tid-bits of information they provided is every 11 minutes a child is diagnosed with an ASD. Boys are 4:1 more likely to have an ASD. ASDs receive the lowest funding of research dollars in the United States.

The question now is how you can help as well!

DISHIES can plug into Step Forward Day 2012 by:

• Confirm attendance on Step Forward Day 2012 Facebook Page & invite others – There is no cost to attend.
• Let Co-Chairs Michelle Bohreer (MichelleB@bohreerzucker.com) or Corbett Parker (Corbett.Parker@gmail.com) know you want to be a part of the planning. Or just come to upcoming Rotary Club of Houston Skyline meetings.  
• Attend Tuesday, Aug 28 (6pm-7:30) art creation @ The Mad Potter - River Oaksfor benches being installed on Step Forward Day. Afterwards, attendees will take in a Houston Resturant Weeks dinner together.There is no fee to attend Mad Potter. Dinner is on you.
• Attend Tuesday, Sept 4 (6pm-8:00) prep work day @ The Westview School to ensure all is prepared and ready for Step Forward Day the following Saturday. Prep work will no doubt be followed by happy hour.

See you there, DISHIES! Can't wait to serve with you!