Fishers Rotary Club member Michele Whelchel was looking for a new outlet when she joined the group three years ago.
“I love the people,” she said, “and I love what we do.”
A Fortville resident of 30 years, Whelchel contributes to the region through her work as director of community affairs at Promising Futures of Central Indiana, a not-for-profit that helps runaways and pregnant teens, and various philanthropies as a Rotarian.
“I wanted to get involved with another group that really worked in the community besides what I do,” she said.
In the past, Whelchel co-chaired Fishers on Tap, an event that brought five microbrewers to Fishers, benefiting local charities and networks. According to the Fishers on Tap Web site, more than 250 guests attended the inaugural evening in June, and the event will be back next year.
“It was a huge success,” she said.
“Michele uses her entrepreneurial skills to build fundraising solutions that will resonate with attendees, bring value to sponsors, and deliver new resources to those in need in our community,” Fisher on Tap Co-Chair Bill Jerrow said in an email. “She never allows her committee members or her sponsors to lose sight of the target – her beneficiaries.”
“The fundraisers she chairs have a common goal . . . to change someone’s life.”
The Fishers Rotary Club itself works with Promising Futures, based in Noblesville, via grants and helping with maintenance work.
Currently, Whelchel heads “Shaken not Stirred” A Martini Party, which brings restaurateurs from all overHamiltonandMarionCountytoCarmelto compete in best appetizer and martini competitions. She said the event typically draws 500 to 600 guests. This year’s “Shaken not Stirred” event will be held on Sept. 13. The money raised from the event helps fund Promising Future’s pregnant and parenting program.
The event benefits Promising Futures, and at the end, two young soon-to-be mothers speak about how the organization is making a difference in their lives, according to Whelchel.
“We’re trying to educate them (attendees) what a pregnant teen goes through,” she said.
Whelchel said she loves the goal of making a difference in the community and encourages those who want to do the same to join the Rotarians.
“I love working with a team of people that have that goal – that want to make a difference,” she said.
For more information on “Shaken not Stirred” A Martini Party, head to promisingfutures.org.