SERvice TO MAnkind
The Round Rock Sertoma club is an organization whose mission and purpose is to improve the quality of life today for those at risk or impacted by hearing loss through education, support and assistance. The club was chartered by Sertoma, Inc, Kansas City Missouri 40 years ago and although hearing needs are the core mission, the efforts of the club are centered on any needs arising in the community.
Sertoma members raise funds in three major events per year. These include selling Christmas trees, sponsoring a Casino night that includes auctions, and finally sponsoring the 4th of July Rubber Duck Race at Old Settlers Park. Together these events raise over $100,000 annually.
Sertoma members share in efforts to improve the lives of those dealing with hearing loss and related communication issues by sponsoring scholarships for deaf and hard of hearing students and scholarships for those studying audiology and speech pathology.
Funds are also provided to support the Audiology Services department at Dell Children’s hospital to purchase specialized equipment for detection of hearing loss in those children who have difficulty acknowledging responses to test criteria in traditional ways. Cumulative donations to this cause exceeds $100,000.
Ronald McDonald house receives annual donations for all of the work in supporting the families of children that require extensive hospital stays.
Funds are provided to Operation Blue Santa, a non-profit organization established by volunteers and employees of the Round Rock Police, Fire and Parks and recreation department. This organization provides assistance to Round Rock families during Christmas. Operation Blue Santa is supported entirely by the community in the form of donation.
The Williamson County Brown Santa program provides low income or poverty stricken children from ages 0 to 17 with toys, books and other items needed to make Christmas brighter. They serve the Williamson County area outside geographical city limits of any town or city within Williamson county that does not have a similar program.
The Round Rock Sertoma sponsors and provides guidance to youth groups in 3 local High Schools through the Serteen program.. These young men and women ages 11-19 are interested in the world around them. Round Rock High School (ZOI), Cedar Ridge High School (ROZVI) and CD Fulkes Middle School (Caring Kids) are active in many projects outside of school and motivated to improve their world through Sertoma.
Additional funding is provided to the following in support of their cause:
Play for all abilities park in Round Rock
Hope Alliance
Heros night out
Texas School for the Deaf
Just Because
All funding decisions are made by a 12 member Board of Directors who are elected annually for their positions. The Board meets monthly to review and approve funding requests.
General club meetings are held every Tuesday morning 6:30am at the Sirloin Stockade in Round Rock Texas. These meeting not only keep members informed of the direction of the club but offer insights into other areas through the use of guest speakers. Topics include insights into city planning activities, law enforcement, local government and special interest groups. All this intended to enrich the membership regarding the community they support.
If interested in learning more about Round Rock Sertoma, visit the website at www.rrsertoma.org, facebook at www.facebook.com/roundrocksertoma, send an email to secretary@rrsertoma.org or simply drop by our meeting.