The Rotary Club of Cleveland cultivates a diverse community of informed professionals working collectively to create a positive impact by exchanging ideas, forming meaningful, lifelong friendships, and giving back to our community.
Mr. Benders is the tenth President in the Cleveland Sight Center’s 115 year history.
He has a BA from Yale University and an MBA from the JL Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and has extensive experience in the Private, Public, and Not For Profit sectors of the economy. He worked for nearly 20 years for large companies including Johnson & Johnson, Nabisco, and Coors Brewing managing brands such Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, Reach Toothbrush, Cream of Wheat Cereal, Grey Poupon Mustard, A1 Steak Sauce, and Splenda Low Calorie Sweetener. He was the Chief Marketing Officer at publicly-traded Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream based in Vermont. He was then recruited to Cleveland to become the Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Mr. Benders spent 7 years as a senior, local government official. As the Executive Director of the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Investment Board, he achieved national recognition for the transformation of the public workforce system into a model of excellence. For 4 years he was the Director of Development for Cuyahoga County where he has managed a $100 million economic lending program and oversaw numerous federal and state community development grants.
Larry Benders has a long track record of accomplished leadership, organizational transformation and outcome achievement.
Founded in 1906, Cleveland Sight Center is a private agency with a staff of 150. CSC provides educational, rehabilitative, preventive and support services for about 4,000 clients in 17 counties who are blind or visually impaired. Cleveland Sight Center offers programs for people of all ages from infants and toddlers to seniors including a low vision clinic, mobility training and workforce development. Cleveland Sight Center is located at 1909 East 101st Street Cleveland, OH 44106 216-791-8118
If you missed our Annual Club Awards - Congratulation to the following members that demonstrated "Service Above Self" throughout the 2020-2021 Rotary year!
Retiring Cleveland Rotary Foundation President Jerry Smith and Trustee Ingrida Bublys
Retired Club Board of Directors Eric Butler, Bryan Schauer and Shannon Beatty (not pictured)
Surprise Paul Harris Fellows: Ken Glanc, Jennifer Kelly, Howard Lichtig, Ed Thomas and President Ron Felgenhauer - Awarded for their ongoing dedication and commitment to our humanitarian and educational programs
Presidential Citation - Deb Boerger, Cleveland Rotary Foundation Investment Advisor, for her market knowledge and dedication to our portfolio which allows our philanthropic impact to reach across our 4 avenues of service.
4-Way Test Award- Paul Qua - for living the 4-way test each and every day in both his personal and professional life.
Rotarian of the Year - Yunus Badat - For upholding and furthering the principles and ideals of the Rotary way of life, "Service Above Self"
Lifetime Humanitarian Award - RADM Tony Fugaro USCG (retired) In recognition and gratitude for the extraordinary level of continued and dedicated service to the Rotary Club of Cleveland and the community it serves.
Tony is moving to California to be closer to his son, he will be missed!!!
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Vocational Service Committee - June 17, 1:00 p.m.
First In Person Meeting June 24, 2021!
What: Celebrating President Ron and the 2020-2021 Rotary Year
Need to do: Register http://www.rotaryclubofcleveland.com or via email rotarycle@gmail.com (so we have a rough number for food and seating.) Providing heavy appetizer and a cash bar!
"Service Above Self" Volunteer opportunities
In the effort to streamline the registration process for our monthly FoodBank Volunteer days please click on the following links. You can select the current month or any month there after. Times at 5:00 - 8:00 p..m. Remember if you have not created an account in the past, it will prompt you to do so.
Volunteer Days - Wednesday June 16, Tuesday July 13, Wednesday July 21
American Red Cross Blood Donor Day, July 15, 2021!
For every 1 donation, 3 lives can be saved! Need we say more? This is a great opportunity for the entire family, a friend, or colleague to join you and make a difference! Due to natural disasters and Covid - 19 the need has never been greater! If donating blood isn't possible, there are plenty of other volunteer opportunities available.