August 24, 2011 - The Rotary Club of Cedar Hill recently took time off from planning their big “2012 Head for the Hills” bike rally to distribute funds raised from the event last May.  Monies were donated to:

Zula B. Wylie Public Library, where Texas residents cannot only check out books, audio books and access the Internet through the public access computers or the Wi-Fi network. Weekly adult and children programming opportunities are strong components of the city library.

Sharing the Bread is the official name of the Cedar Hill Food Pantry.  Currently feeding approximately 1,300 people in Cedar Hill that live below the poverty line, the Food Pantry reports that over 60% of the children enrolled in CHISD qualify for the “Free and Reduced Lunch” program.  Along with the proceeds from their New 2 You Thrift Store, the Pantry relies on grants and donations from organizations like Rotary to do their good work.

Bridges Safe House is a temporary shelter for women in crisis.  As of September 15 of this year, the shelter’s mission will expand beyond the needs of pregnant women, as dictated by their initial charter.  Working hand-in-glove with Hope Mansion, another bike rally fund recipient, the two agencies take in women with nowhere else to turn, and teach them life skills that will serve them as they reclaim their place in society.

The International Museum of Cultures received funds for their summer program, Travis Day Camp.  Area children come to the museum for a week of arts, crafts, activities, sights and sounds that expose them to cultures from around the world.

Cedar Hill ISD Education Foundation was given money to put toward innovative educational activities not otherwise funded.  Educators in CHISD are challenged to write grants for programs and projects that will enhance the learning experience for their students and help move the District to World-Class level.

The Audubon Society will be opening Dogwood Canyon September 10 and 11.  A check was issued from bike rally profits to help fund this worthwhile preservation and education opportunity for visitors and locals alike.

Friends of the Tri-City Animal Shelter, Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, the CHISD school supply program for in-need children, and the Cedar Hill Police Department Victim’s Assistance Program all received ‘big checks’ to further their contributions to the City.

Within the international world of Rotary, the Cedar Hill club donated a large check to Polio Plus, a drive to wipe out Polio in our lifetime.  The effort represents two million Rotarians giving back to the world.  Polio Plus is very close to its goal, and with the help of the Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization, we will instigate the total elimination of a disease, which has happened only one other time in history with the end of smallpox.  

In 1985 there were 1,000 cases of polio reported each day in 25 countries.  Last year there were only 1,349 cases reported in four countries.  In conjunction with the donation to the Rotary Foundation for Polio Plus, another donation was made to the Wheelchair Foundation to provide mobility to people who would otherwise have none.

This fall will see the implementation of the Cedar Hill Rotary’s third annual Coats for Kids program.  Elementary school children within the Cedar Hill community will be eligible for a free, warm winter coat.  School administrators are asked to define the children in-need, and the Rotary Club of Cedar Hill finds a way to provide the coats through our bike rally funds, Rotary District 5810 grants, and contributions from local citizens.

The 2012 Head for the Hills Cedar Hill Rotary Bike Rally will be held at Uptown Village Shopping Center on May 12.  Bikers enjoy the opportunity to choose from a family friendly 10-mile ride, or 20, 40 and 60-mile routes.  The longer rides flow south into Maypearl and Venus, following rural routes void of extreme traffic.  Rest stops are available every 10 miles, and free food, including a fresh Red Robin hamburger, is available at the end of the ride back at Uptown Village.  Our rally riders and sponsors are pleased to know their entry fee goes to support worthy causes, both local and international. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring the event may contact Anita Hall at 972-299-5102.  For ongoing updates about the rally, visit www.HeadForTheHillsRally.org or follow the Rotary Rally on Twitter at twitter.com/#!/HFTHillsRally and Facebook facebook.com/HeadForTheHillsRally.