President Tammy Soulakos opened Thursday’s meeting at VanZant’s with a look at a September filled with service, fellowship, and plenty of opportunities to connect with our community.

We welcomed Dan Christensen as our newest Rotarian, while David O’Rear shared a record start for Foundation Football with $3,462 raised through Week 2 of the college football season. Cyndi Plunkett also gave us a preview of some of the incredible auction items coming to Bourbon & Bow Ties / Pinot & Pearls.

Our program focused on what it means to live well and truly “flourish.” Timothy Driver and Krissy Lewis of the Trilith Foundation shared how Trilith is supporting its community through mental health resources, crisis care, wellness programs, and the importance of purpose, faith, and social connection.

Caroline Wilkinson added a little extra fun to the afternoon by raffling off a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and a matching scarf, much to the excitement of our lucky winner, Charlie Nelson!

And the Rotary action continues! GRSP begins Friday evening, bringing international students, host families, and Rotarians together for a special weekend of friendship and fellowship in Peachtree City.

It was great to see such a strong turnout today, with full tables and plenty of Rotary fellowship throughout the room. A new Rotarian, a busy weekend ahead, and plenty more to come. September is off to a great start at Peachtree City Rotary!

#PeachtreeCityRotary #PeopleOfAction #ServiceAboveSelf #RotaryInAction #GRSP

Today’s Peachtree City Rotary Club luncheon began with a meaningful remembrance of September 11.

Phil Hamilton shared a personal reflection on what that day meant to him, along with his experience visiting the site in New York after the attacks. His remarks were a powerful reminder of the lives lost, the courage shown by so many, and the importance of continuing to remember the sacrifices of that day.

Phil’s reflection also gave us an opportunity to think about what Rotary means in our own community.

Rotary is about people coming together with a shared commitment to serve others. It is acts of kindness, hands-on community service, grants that support organizations serving people with special needs, and programs that strengthen our community. It is also about looking beyond ourselves, supporting causes locally and internationally, and working together to solve problems that improve the lives of others.

The challenges we face may be very different from the events we remember on September 11, but the principle is the same: communities are stronger when people step forward to help one another.

We also thank Rick Viall for introducing and sponsoring our guest speaker, John King, Georgia’s Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. Commissioner King shared insight into the responsibilities of his office, his priorities for the State of Georgia, and the important role his department plays in supporting consumers and serving as a resource between individuals and insurance companies.

It was a thoughtful luncheon centered on remembrance, service, leadership, and the responsibility we all share to make a positive difference.

More than 40 Peachtree City Rotarians came together Wednesday evening for a hands on service project supporting Harts of Teal and its Teal for Teachers education and awareness program.

Harts of Teal is a Peachtree City based nonprofit whose ovarian and gynecologic cancer education, awareness, and support programs reach communities across Georgia and beyond. Led by Executive Director and ovarian cancer survivor Kimberly Airhart, the organization helps women recognize the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and encourages them to be strong advocates for their own health.

During the evening, our Rotarians packed more than 1,000 insulated tote bags for Teal for Teachers. Each bag contains important information about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and will be distributed to teachers as part of the organization’s growing outreach. Since 2021, the program has reached more than 20,000 teachers with information that can increase awareness and potentially save lives.

Special thanks to Mandy Timmons for organizing the service event and dinner, and to Cooper Lighting for generously providing its facility and supporting the evening.

And thank you to the more than 40 Rotarians who showed up ready to serve and gave their time and energy to support this important cause. It was an evening of fellowship, teamwork, and purpose that helped move an important mission forward, one bag and one teacher at a time.

This is Service Above Self in action.

At Peachtree City Rotary, our members help shape the direction of our club. Today’s Club Assembly highlighted how member feedback, ideas, and interests are being turned into action to create an even stronger Rotary experience.

President Tammy Soulakos led today’s luncheon, with Barry Lardie, Sergeant at Arms for the Peachtree City Rotary Community Corps, leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Our always popular raffle followed, with Carolyn Wilkerson and Marie Schlosser among today’s winners.

Foundation Chair Fernando Duenas recognized Kelly Williams and Ty Harner for their generous support and membership in the Paul Harris Society while sharing more about the important work of the Rotary Foundation. Treasurer Jim Mothorpe also gave members insight into his role and the financial stewardship that keeps our club running smoothly.

Amy Matusek and Mike Lardie shared the inspiring story of the Rotary Community Corps. Founded 12 years ago by Joel Norris and led today with the support of Amy, Mike, and Joel, RCC provides members with disabilities opportunities for service, fellowship, fundraising, and community involvement. Members also learned how they can support RCC through donations, grants, and participation.

President Tammy then focused on the future of our club. Through member surveys, lunch roundtables, and open discussions, she has made listening to our members a priority. That feedback is now helping shape new service opportunities, special interest programs, fellowship activities, and additional ways for members to connect and get involved.

Today’s Assembly made one thing clear: Peachtree City Rotary is listening to its members and building a club around the people, interests, and ideas that make it special.

Rotary is more than a weekly luncheon. It is friendship, service, leadership, and the opportunity to be part of something bigger.

Come be part of Peachtree City Rotary and help us build what comes next.

Saturday’s Back to School Bash was the perfect way to kick off a new school year in Peachtree City!

A big thank you to our fellow Rotarians for coming out on Saturday to support local students and families. Your time, energy, and commitment helped make the day a great success and showed once again what community service is all about.

Special thanks to Community Service Chairwoman Kay Shoaf for leading our club’s efforts, with wonderful support from Mary Alice Rebman, Mandy Timmons, Mike Lardie, Stephanie Moore, Jim Mothorpe, Marlon Gibson, Cyndi Plunkett, and Andy Borders.

Days like this truly reflect Service Above Self. It is about showing up, working together, having fun, and making a positive difference in the community we serve.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Back to School Bash such a special day. We wish all of our Peachtree City students a great start and a fantastic school year!

#PeachtreeCityRotary #ServiceAboveSelf #BackToSchoolBash #PeopleOfAction #CommunityService

Club President Tammy Soulakos kicked off another exciting Peachtree City Rotary meeting filled with inspiration, recognition and service to our community!

This week, we welcomed Mac and Kim Cantrell, cofounders of 2IMPACT, as our featured speakers. Mac and Kim shared practical insights on employee engagement in the workplace and discussed how organizations can create cultures where employees feel valued, motivated and empowered to do their best work.

We were also thrilled to welcome Mary Alice Rebman into our Rotary family! District 6900 Governor Nominee Amy Benton led the new member induction ceremony alongside Mary Alice’s sponsor, Club President Tammy Soulakos. Welcome to the club, Mary Alice! We are excited to serve alongside you!

Rotary Foundation Chair Fernando Duenas presented Club Treasurer Jim Mothorpe with a Paul Harris pin in recognition of his generous financial support of The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations, Jim, and thank you for helping Rotary make a lasting impact around the world!

Community Service Chair Kay Shoaf reminded members about the upcoming Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 8, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Glenloch Recreation Complex. We hope to see plenty of Rotarians there supporting local students and families!

To close out a wonderful meeting, President Tammy Soulakos presented ClearWater Academy Executive Director Tom Collins with a Rotary sponsorship gift in support of the academy’s September 9 golf tournament at Braelinn Golf Club.

Great speakers, a new member, meaningful recognition and more opportunities to serve. That is what a great Rotary meeting is all about!

Service Above Self in action!

Please join us in welcoming Mary Alice Rebman as a new member of the Rotary Club of Peachtree City!

Mary Alice lives in the Peachtree City area and has completed all membership requirements. She is a retired educator and caterer who brings a lifelong commitment to service, community involvement, and helping others.

Mary Alice earned a Bachelor of Science in Consumer and Management from East Carolina University and a degree in Elementary Education from Shippensburg University. In her retirement, she enjoys traveling, volunteering, playing mahjong and bunco, participating in church activities, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying time with her dogs.

Mary Alice shared that Rotary’s commitment to “Service Above Self” strongly reflects the way she believes people should live. Volunteering has been an important part of her life, and she looks forward to directing more of her time and energy toward Rotary’s service projects and community initiatives.

Her late husband, Glenn, was also a very active Rotarian and often included Mary Alice in club activities. Through those experiences, she came to know many members and developed a genuine appreciation for the club’s community service, fellowship, and social events.

We are excited to officially welcome Mary Alice to the Rotary Club of Peachtree City and look forward to serving alongside her!

The Rotary Club of Peachtree City celebrated an exciting milestone under President Tammy Soulakos by holding our first evening club meeting.

We had a fantastic Rotary turnout at SMC³, where members enjoyed dinner, fellowship, and an informative program focused on the dedicated men and women who help keep Peachtree City safe. We sincerely thank SMC³ for generously allowing us to use its auditorium for this special event.

Lt. Ken Ralls, Lt. Chris Hyatt, Sgt. Courtney Lumpkin, and Auxiliary Captain Rich Winiarski provided our members with valuable insight into the Peachtree City Police Department and Auxiliary Police Force. They shared information about their responsibilities, training, community involvement, and the important work performed each day to protect and serve Peachtree City.

The evening also included an introduction to Johnny, one of four police dogs serving Peachtree City. Johnny’s handler, Sgt. Evan Kilgore, shared insight into the department’s K-9 program and explained how these highly trained teams support officers and help keep our community safe.

We are grateful to each of our guests for sharing their time, experience, and commitment to Peachtree City. Their dedication to protecting others and strengthening our community is a powerful example of Service Above Self and reflects the same spirit of service that is at the heart of Rotary.

The Peachtree City Rotary Club celebrated the 21st annual Crying Towel Luncheon, one of our most entertaining and anticipated traditions of the year.

What exactly is the Crying Towel?

Each coach gets the opportunity to jokingly explain why their team could be in for a very long football season. We heard stories about missed tackles, costly penalties, questionable play calling, and plenty of other reasons a coach might need a towel to wipe away the tears at the end of the season.

The coach who delivers the funniest and most convincing tale of football misery takes home the coveted Crying Towel Award.

Rotarian George Martin once again hosted the event and kept the coaches, players, school leaders, and Rotarians entertained throughout the program. Club President Tammy Soulakos presided over the meeting and welcomed coaches from McIntosh, Starr’s Mill, Whitewater, Sandy Creek, and Fayette County High School.

The coaches were joined by several outstanding student-athletes who will continue their football careers at the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers, Nebraska, Cincinnati, and other Division I programs. Their talent and accomplishments made it clear that the coaches’ stories of doom and gloom may have been slightly exaggerated.

Representatives from Fayette County Public Schools also joined us, including Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Patterson, Chief Financial Officer Tom Gray, district administrators, athletic directors, and principals from the participating high schools.

After the final story was told and the last imaginary tear was wiped away, McIntosh High School Head Football Coach Derek Smith was named this year’s Crying Towel Award winner.

President Tammy Soulakos also recognized members of the Rotary leadership team, including Charles Felix, 2026–2027 Sergeant at Arms, and Andy Borders, 2026–2027 Public Image Director.

Congratulations to Coach Smith, and thanks to all the coaches, players, educators, administrators, Rotarians, and guests who made the 21st annual Crying Towel Luncheon another memorable Peachtree City Rotary tradition.

The Rotary Club of Peachtree City proudly recognized the second round of recipients of our 2026 Community Grants today.

These grants support organizations making a meaningful difference through education, food security, youth development, health awareness, workforce training, animal welfare, and community service.

Camp Southern Ground – Music Meadow
Supporting an outdoor space where campers can explore creativity, build confidence, and experience the healing power of music.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office – C.H.A.M.P.S. Program
Helping elementary students develop leadership, character, personal safety, and positive decision-making skills.

Fayette Humane Society – Fayette Love Your Pet Event
Expanding access to affordable pet care, education, and services that help families keep their pets healthy and at home.

Harts of Teal – Teal for Teachers
Increasing ovarian cancer awareness and providing educators with resources to recognize symptoms and encourage early detection.

Midwest Food Bank – Georgia Division
Funding a stretch wrap machine to improve warehouse efficiency and increase food distribution capacity.

Christian City – Training Facility Equipment
Providing equipment to help participants build workforce skills, pursue employment, and achieve greater independence.

The I-58 Mission – Food Pantry
Helping local families access nutritious food during the summer when children are not receiving school meals.

The momentum at the Rotary Club of Peachtree City is at an all-time high! Our club is energized, growing, and proud to invest in organizations creating stronger and more connected communities.

Congratulations to all of today’s grant recipients. Together, we are showing what it truly means to be People of Action!

#PeopleOfAction #ServiceAboveSelf #RotaryClubOfPeachtreeCity #CommunityGrants #HereWeGROWAgain

Today’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Peachtree City had a little bit of everything: community impact, welcoming new faces, club updates, and plenty of fun.

President Tammy Soulakos led the meeting with enthusiasm and kept the program moving. Past President Chavdar Zdravkov introduced his guest, Clint Holland, and we were delighted to welcome Clint and give him a firsthand look at the fellowship and energy of our club.

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the second round of our 2026 Community Grants. We were proud to recognize seven outstanding organizations whose programs are improving lives and strengthening communities through education, food security, youth development, health awareness, workforce training, animal welfare, and service.

Members also heard from several of our board members. Jennifer Lunsford shared updates from Club Administration, Elise Hettenbach highlighted Membership, and Angelique Soulakos spoke about New Generations and our efforts to engage and inspire future leaders.

Sergeant at Arms Charles Felix then took the floor for the always popular weekly raffle. With several great prizes waiting to be claimed, members kept a close eye on their tickets as the winning numbers were called.

From celebrating community grants and welcoming new guests to hearing from our board members and enjoying a few raffle surprises, today’s meeting was filled with Rotary spirit. The year is off to an exciting start, and the momentum continues to build at the Rotary Club of Peachtree City!

July 9, 2026 - We are excited to welcome Amy Sparrow-Sanders as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Peachtree City!  Amy was sponsored by Past President Chavdar Zdravkov. She is a Certified Financial Planner® with Northwestern Mutual and recently made Peachtree City home with her husband, Nicholas, and their children, Robert and Taylor.  Amy joined Rotary to build connections, give back to the community, and make a positive difference in the place her family now calls home.

Please join us in welcoming Amy to the Rotary family!

Pictured:  New Member Amy and husband Nicholas

July 3 & 4, 2026 - The Rotary Club of Peachtree City was proud to join the community in celebrating one of our city’s favorite traditions, the July 4th Parade, made even more special this year as America celebrates its 250th birthday.

It was a great day filled with red, white, and blue spirit, smiling faces, waving hands, laughter, and plenty of Rotary energy. From early preparations and decorating to walking, riding, cheering, and greeting friends along the parade route, our members showed up ready to help make the day memorable.

A big thank-you goes to the Peachtree City Rotary members, families, and friends who helped support the parade and represent our club so well, including Fernando Duenas, Angelique Soulakos, Costas Soulakos, Tammy Soulakos, Carolyn Wilkinson, Kathy Halpin, Mandy Timmons, Mike Lardie, Kier Prince, Phil Hamilton, Dale Phenicie, Katy Spade, Marie Schlosser, Ty Harnar, Rachel Darrow, Lata Chinnan, Andy Borders, David Moore, and Charlie Nelson.

President Tammy Soulakos helped lead the club in true Rotary fashion as we celebrated community, friendship, service, and the patriotic spirit that makes Peachtree City such a special place to call home.

The parade was more than just a celebration of the Fourth of July. It was a reminder of the strength of community, the joy of coming together, and the importance of service above self. As America celebrates 250 years, the Rotary Club of Peachtree City was proud to be part of a day that honored our country, our community, and the people who make both so special.

Great parade. Great crowd. Great Rotary spirit!
 

Yesterday’s meeting marked an exciting milestone for the Rotary Club of Peachtree City as we officially launched our Mayor’s Speakers Series!

We are honored to have Mayor Kim hosting this initiative, bringing the key leaders and major initiatives that shape our city directly to our Rotary table for an exclusive "inside look" at all things Peachtree City.

A huge thank you to our inaugural speakers:

• Ken Fleming, Chairman of the Peachtree City Airport Authority

• Hope Mancuso, Aviation Director at Atlanta Regional Airport / Falcon Field

Ken and Hope provided fascinating insights into the operations and the massive economic impact of Falcon Field. It was a powerful reminder of how our local aviation hub keeps our community connected and thriving.

We are proud to be a club that stays informed, stays involved, and stays connected to the pulse of PTC!