On Wednesday, July 23, the Rotary Club of Cedar Hill was delighted to have the opportunity to distribute $12,000 of the money the group earned with the Head for the Hills bike rally held last May. In total, the participants numbered 950, and the club will distribute $24,000 in funds in the coming year.

At a regular Wednesday Rotary meeting, the club distributed the following funds:
Cedar Hill Food Pantry $4,500
Bridges Safe House $2,000
Cedar Hill Education Foundation $2,000
TROT $1,500
Zula B. Wylie Library $1,000
Brighter Tomorrows $1,000

The Cedar Hill Food Pantry services over 1000 residents in the Cedar Hill ISD per month. High gas and utility prices have driven an average of 70 never before seen individuals to seek food assistance each month for the past several months. “The Rotary donation will certainly assist in the purchase of needed food,” commented Pantry director Gene Sims.

Bridges Safehouse provides transitional housing and hope for homeless pregnant women and victims of sexual assault. In 2008, Bridges has already served 27 women and 15 children.

The Cedar Hill ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was created to support and enhance the education of all students in the Cedar Hill ISD. Patricia Deeds, Foundation past president, stated "Since its inception, the Foundation has given more than $120,000 in grants to teachers and public school campuses."

“The Zula B. Wylie Library truly appreciates this generous donation from the Cedar Hill Rotary Club. The funds will allow us to obtain new materials to entertain and educate our voracious readers of all ages,” said Linda Keane.

Therapeutic Riding of Texas (TROT) serves DFW adults and children with disabilities by providing a program of recreational horsemanship with therapeutic benefits in areas of socialization, posture, balance, mobility and an overall improved quality of life. Bruce Weatherford, president of TROT, presented Rotary with a certificate of appreciation. The club’s contribution will fund an annual scholarship for one individual.

The mission of Brighter Tomorrows is to empower survivors of domestic and sexual violence by providing support and counseling services for women and children in Dallas County. Neicy Howard-Jones accepted the check, and thanked the Cedar Hill Rotary for their continued support.

Internationally, Rotary Club of Cedar Hill is investigating adopting an African village in need of clean water and other aid services.

Expenses to make the rally happen totaled $33,000, which Rotary raised through sponsor contributions of money and goods. “Our profit came from the fees paid by the 950 registered riders. Without our sponsors, we couldn’t get this event done,” Judy Pluto, rally chair commented.

Based on the demographics Rotary collected, their riders ranged in age from 8 to 83. The bulk of the riders (86.52%) ranged from 26 to 65 years old; prime years when spending habits, family home and business location decisions are made. They came from Oklahoma, New Jersey, Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia. The bulk of the bike riders came from all across Texas, with a full 49% from outside of Dallas County, and some as far away as Austin. Rotary is proud to extol the beauty and reputation of Cedar Hill throughout the state and beyond.

Errol Haylow, Rotary club president, presented a plaque to the City Council at the first formal meeting in the new government center that took place July 22. He expressed the club’s gratitude for the cooperation of City offices like the police department and fire department.

Rotarians voted to continue the bike rally tradition, and the next Head for the Hills Cedar Hill Bike Rally is tentatively scheduled for May 9. 2009.