KIDS BUILDING HOPE  - During the years of Fritz Spring's and Jack Barkan’s presidencies, my granddaughter, Carly Zalenski, a 12 year old Jackson student, was supported by these Rotarians and the Canton Rotary Board of Directors to build a school in Vietnam. Carly organized a non- profit organization (Kids Building Hope) to reach out to the community. Carly, with the support of our leaders, visited many Rotary clubs in our District to raise funds and to obtain a matching grant to provide the funding for an elementary school for 500 children in the Mekong Delta area of Vietnam.

Carly, her family, and PDG Larry Warren made the journey to Vietnam to dedicate the school. The overwhelming success of the project motivated Carly to build another school in Vietnam. Two years later, with the help of her sister Abby, another school was built in the Dalat region where countless children are being educated.

The Rotary Club of Canton was the recipient of the best international project of the year by District 6650. The project was also highlighted in the Rotarian Magazine and also the Readers Digest.

As a side note, Carly is graduating this year from Ohio Wesleyan University. With the support of the university, she interned in Vietnam last summer and has made 3 mission trips to El Salvador. She was recognized by OWU with the Bishop’s award for International service. Carly has accepted a teaching position with “Teach America” after graduation. She often thanks Canton Rotary for the path she has taken of “Service above Self”.