Speakers
Joe Poldofino, Program Director, Pinellas Hope.
July 30/26
Turning 90 Days into a New Beginning
Joe enthusiastically talked about how his organization has been helping our neighbors experiencing homelessness for nearly two decades. Since opening its shelter in 2007, Pinellas Hope has served roughly 1,000 people a year, housing and feeding around 250 individuals on any given day. These aren't just numbers; they represent our neighbors, coworkers, and even relatives who have fallen on hard times and need a hand back up.
The nonprofit runs on an annual budget of $3.1 million, funded primarily by Pinellas County, the City of St. Petersburg, and the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg. Remarkably, that budget doesn't even cover food. All meals, three a day, are donated by organizations throughout the county, a reminder of how much of this work depends on everyday generosity right here in our community. The shelter currently offers 159 tents, several cottage rooms, and 156 studio apartments to those in need.
Pinellas Hope's goal is to move clients into permanent housing within 90 days, and they're succeeding at nearly double the national rate: 47% compared to the 25% average nationwide. That success doesn't happen in isolation. It reflects the combined effort of local government, faith communities, and residents who choose to invest in their neighbors' futures. As a club rooted in service, it's worth remembering that organizations like Pinellas Hope are part of the same fabric we're all working to strengthen: a community where everyone has the chance to land on their feet.
To learn more or get involved, visit pinellashope.org.
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Rui Farias, Executive Director, St. Petersburg History Museum.
July 23/26 
From Sickbed to Sunshine: The Untold History of Pinellas County
Rui took our club on a lively trip through local history.
He opened with a 1950s "Welcome to Pinellas Park" postcard, then a newspaper headline that read "I Came to Die." Early settlers were often sent south by their doctors, since coal heating up north caused breathing problems and a warmer climate was seen as a last resort. Many didn't die, though; they thrived, living another 30 to 40 years. Even our coastal springs got in on the reputation, once marketed as the "Fountain of Youth." As it turned out, the water's kick came from lithium, not magic.
Rui also traced the rivalry between F.A. Davis, who wanted St. Petersburg to grow as an industrial hub, and newspaper owner William Straub, who used his paper to champion a clean, open waterfront instead. Straub's vision won out, and the land he helped preserve is now Straub Park. While the city grew up around that waterfront, Pinellas Park held onto its roots as farmland, with citrus, dairy, and sugar cane operations lasting well into the 1960s, when many local roads were still dirt.
Straub's push for independence eventually paid off: Pinellas County was officially formed on January 1, 1912. The following decades brought the Coliseum's opening in 1924, Yankees spring training in 1925 (with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig among the stars), and "Doc" Webb's sprawling Webb City drugstore, which drew shoppers from across the country.
Rui rounded out the talk with historic photographs charting the county's growth, from a single St. Petersburg building to the roads that opened up the region we know today. It was a fascinating look at how our area came to be.
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Chantel Wonder, Club Member.
July 16/26
A Taste of Olive Oil: Myths, Facts, and Flavor
Club member Chantel, joined by co-workers Rob Tucker and Chris Bulduc, treated us to an informative and delicious program on "all things olive oil." While Chantel shared insights on the product, Rob and Chris kept members busy sampling oils from Spain (the world's top producer), Greece, Italy, and California, each paired with bread for dipping. Every oil had its own personality, from a peppery finish (a sign of freshness and heart-healthy polyphenols) to a fruitier profile.
Chantel walked us through the history of olive oil and busted a few common myths along the way: "light" olive oil isn't lower in calories, and a green color doesn't mean better quality. Members also picked up some practical tips, like always choosing "extra virgin" oil (pressed straight from freshly harvested olives, which are technically a fruit), storing it in glass or tin rather than plastic, and using it up within two months of opening.
Chantel wrapped up the program by handing out a beautifully published guidebook she wrote, complete with sample oils from Morocco, along with homemade olive oil brownies and lemon cake that were a real treat. She mentioned members might contribute recipes to a future edition of the guidebook, which could become a Club fundraiser. She also gave away a cookbook, a charcuterie board, and a full meal's worth of ingredients, with Joan Nesmith taking home the prize.
Thank you, Chantel, Rob, and Chris, for such a fun and flavorful program!
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Elizabeth Szostak, Chief Development Officer, Pinellas Education Foundation
June 18/26
A Successful Investment in Our Students
Elizabeth shared the vital work her organization does to accelerate educational achievement for all students by connecting innovation, relationships, and resources across our community.
Each year, the Foundation raises approximately $8.5 million, and an impressive 91 cents of every dollar goes directly toward programs that support students and teachers. That kind of efficiency matters when you consider the scale of need here at home: Pinellas County Schools is the 9th largest school district in Florida, serving 85,851 students across 144 schools, and stands as the largest employer in our county, with 6,070 teachers shaping young minds every day.
The investment is paying off. Pinellas County's 2024-25 graduation rate reached 93.4%, outperforming the state average of 92.2%. Behind that number are countless students who found the support they needed to cross the finish line, often thanks to partnerships the Foundation helps build between schools, donors, and community members.
At its core, the Pinellas Education Foundation exists to make sure no student or teacher goes without what they need to succeed. Whether it's a classroom resource, a mentorship connection, or funding that fills a critical gap, Elizabeth and her team are quietly strengthening the future of our community, one student at a time.
To learn more, visit pinellaseducation.org.
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Tina Tallman & Anne Holdsworth, 2 Grateful Hearts
May 14/26
Minds, Muscles, and Motion
2 Grateful Hearts (Helping Empower Abilities Reach Triumph & Success) is a Largo-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering people of all abilities through their signature approach: Minds, Muscles, and Motion.
Founders Tina Tallman and Anne Holdsworth joined us to share the story of their organization, and it was clear from the moment they began speaking just how much heart they've poured into this work.
What started as a dream between two women who wanted to make a difference has grown into a thriving nonprofit built on gratitude, compassion, and community. Through weekly adaptive movement classes, their program emphasizes physical activity, social engagement, and personal growth for individuals with disabilities or diverse abilities.
The classes remain inclusive and accessible regardless of financial circumstances, because Tina and Anne believe cost should never stand between someone and a sense of belonging.
Their passion for this mission was evident throughout the presentation. What began as an idea has become a lifeline for many, and it's clear this is more than an organization to them; it's a calling.
If you're moved to get involved, 2 Grateful Hearts welcomes volunteers and donors as community partners. They're located at 2310 Tall Pines Dr, Suite 220, in Largo, and can be found online at www.2gratefulhearts.org.
Seen here with club president Jeff MacKellar and Rhea McCone, who introduced Tina and Anne.
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Brian Scott, Pinellas County Commissioner, District 2
April 9/26
From Beaches to Bikes: A Look Inside County Government
Commissioner Scott gave our club an inside look at what local government actually does, from public safety and parks and recreation to coding and permitting. Pinellas County operates on a $4.8 billion budget, with nearly 43% of it dedicated to public safety, funding more than 3,000 police deputies and first responders who keep our community safe.
He shared that tourism remains our county's #1 industry, and the county recently approved $125 million toward renourishing our local beaches, a critical investment for both our economy and our coastline.
He also gave us a glimpse into the issues keeping his office busy: short-term rentals top the list of complaints, with e-bike misuse close behind.
And in a fact that surprised many in the room, he revealed that Pinellas County actually owns the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport!
To learn more or reach Commissioner Scott's office, visit https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-board-of-county-commissioners/commissioner-brian-scott/
Seen here with club president Jeff MacKellar and Jeff Munford.
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Amber Ashford, Trinity Rotary Club
March 19/26
Clean Water, Lives Saved: Rotary's Impact in Honduras
Amber shared a moving video showcasing clean water efforts underway in Suyatillo, Honduras, a small community of 48 families, 215 people in total, where contaminated water has long posed a serious threat to daily life. Families relied on this water for drinking, bathing, and cleaning, and tragically, children had died from the contamination.
Adding to the challenge, 17 homes in the community had no toilet facilities, and the local school, serving 47 students in grades 1 through 9, lacked even a place for students to wash their hands or manage menstruation.
The Safety Harbor Noon Rotary Club stepped in with a $29,500 District Grant, partnering with Agua Pura Para El Mundo (Clean Water for the World), an organization with more than 16 years of experience delivering WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programs to rural Honduran communities.
Together, they've installed rainwater harvesting systems and point-of-use water filters for every family, built bathroom facilities and handwashing stations at the school, and trained teachers, students, and community members on proper WASH practices. Just as importantly, they've equipped local leaders with the skills to maintain the filtration systems long after the project wraps up, ensuring the impact lasts for years to come.
Our own Pinellas Park Rotary Club is proud to have contributed $500 toward the 2026 Pure Water Grant, joining a global effort to bring something as fundamental as clean water to a community that needed it most.
Pictured with Barbara MacKellar and club president, Jeff MacKellar
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Sandy Kearney, Founder, Angels Against Abuse
February 12/26
Foster Care to Founder's Team: Ashley's Story
Member, Kevin Krauss introduced Sandy who described her organization as being dedicated to supporting children in the welfare system. Established over 17 years ago, Angels Against Abuse has partnered with organizations across the county, including The Boley Center, Friends of the Children, and The Pineapple Projects/Home Sweet Home for Kids, to help these children find stability. What sets them apart is their role as "quick responders": rather than making children wait, they identify needs and connect kids to the right services immediately.
Sandy's presentation took on a deeply personal dimension when she introduced Ashley, a former foster child who entered the system at age 2 and moved through 11 different homes by the time she turned 17. It's a sobering reality that only 3% of children who age out of foster care go on to build successful, stable lives.
Ashley met Sandy while she was homeless, and together they made full use of the services Angels Against Abuse offers. Ashley went on to earn a bachelor's degree from SPC and now leads the organization's Angel Visitation Center, turning her own story into a source of hope for others walking a similar path.
For more information on Angels Against Abuse, visit www.angelsagainstabuse.org.
Following the presentation, club president Jeff MacKellar presented Sandy with a $500 check, proceeds from the Club's Super Bowl Squares fundraiser. Nice job, Jeff!
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