Byesville Rotary hears about CDC projects

Pictured: Larry Miller, speaker host, Rhonda Stemmer, Byesville Rotary president, and Ron  Gombeda, Executive Director, Community Development Corporation.

Melinda Yerian, co-chair of the clubs annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny confirmed that the event will be held on Saturday, March 24, from 8:30—11:00am. The location has been changed to the Stop Nine Senior Center in Byesville this year. Cost is $5.000; children under 5 are free, and a free picture with the Easter Bunny will come with breakfast.

Ron Gombeda, Executive Director of the Community Development Corporation (CDC), spoke about some of the many projects in which the CDC is involved. Gombeda described the CDC as a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization which works to do what the government cannot do to improve the community.

Much, but not all, of the work done by the CDC is funded by grants. Gombeda pointed out that in the last 14 years, he has raised over $10 million in grants. For example, the CDC has recently received a $20,000 grant to improve the Great Guernsey Trail. Improvements will include new trash barrels, observations decks, and benches. However, not all funding is through grants. On Saturday, March 3, the 9^th Annual Great Guernsey Trail Winter Banquet—a fund raiser for the Trail-- will be held at the Eagles.

The CDC has also helped keep the county beautiful by cleaning up litter and removing log jams from waterways. The organization has filled 6,163 trash bags with discarded junk and collected 32, 913 tires. That is a lot of ugliness removed from our county.

Gombeda pointed out that the CDC provides services to all age groups. The organization holds a Guernsey County Fish Camp for 80-100 kids every year at Jackson Park. This event is lots of fun for the kids who learn about the joys of fishing and how to improve their fishing skills. Gombeda is also working on turning the Ramage Auction House located in Byesville into a children’s hands-on museum. Guernsey County disabled veterans are provided with free transportation with priority given to medical appointments. Typically, the CVC provides between 80-90 runs a month.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690