This Week's Speaker
Michael Starling, Director of Economic Development, City of Dunwoody
Join us at Maggiano's this Friday to welcome Michael Starling, Director of Economic Development for the City of Dunwoody.
Michael has been Dunwoody' Director of Economic Development since 2010 and is responsible for leading the City’s efforts to expand the local economy through business development efforts. Priorities for the City include retention of existing businesses, recruitment of new firms, and the redevelopment of existing commercial areas. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Dunwoody. [read more]
Whiskey Fundraiser Update
Our Big Fund Raiser is Underway… and We Need Your Whiskey!
September is all about assembling our whiskey lineup! We’re looking to get all of our donations in by October 4 so that we can start advertising. Consider donating a bottle (or two)! As of this newsletter, we have 5 of the 24 anticipated bottles.
The best thing to do: Go to our partner at Dunwoody Beverage (located in Dunwoody Village) and buy off the list. The owner, Bob Patel, will donate 10% of all items purchased at that location to our Rotary club. He has the list at his store and will be happy to guide you. There’s a variety of prices.
The easiest thing to do: If you prefer to make a cash donation and make the Whiskey Committee do the shopping, that can also be done! Just let Neal MacDonald or Juan Lago know.
The Show-Off thing to do: If you have something else you’d like to donate from somewhere else that you think is awesome, also great! We’ll take it all.
The Spirited Dunwoody website is live (http://www.spiriteddunwoody.com)! If people want to buy tickets early (we will sell out!) that option is now available.
Service Opportunity
Join Us for the DSAA Buddy Walk on Saturday, October 3!
The Rotary Club of Dunwoody has a wonderful opportunity to support our community and make a meaningful impact. We are looking for volunteers to help out at the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta (DSAA) Buddy Walk on October 3!
The Buddy Walk is an amazing day filled with fun, games, and activities for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. It also serves as DSAA’s main annual fundraiser, making volunteer support essential to ensure the event runs smoothly and successfully. Our own member, Andrew Turner, serves on the DSAA board.
Volunteering at the Buddy Walk is a rewarding experience where you’ll get to interact directly with inspiring families, help run activities, and share in the joy of the day.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Location: Kennesaw State University – Marietta Campus
As we know, dedicated volunteers are the key to making any event a success! Whether you can lend a hand for a few hours or stay for the full shift, your time and effort will make a huge difference.
How to Sign Up
Please fill out the Buddy Walk Volunteer Form to select your availability and preferred volunteer roles.
Thank you for demonstrating Service Above Self and helping make this year’s Buddy Walk a wonderful celebration for everyone involved.
Service Opportunity
Join Forces with Bagel Rescue - October 3
We have another service opportunity on Saturday, October 3, to join forces with Bagel Rescue to help out the Dunwoody community. In April 2026, we heard about Bagel Rescue, a nonprofit founded by Erin Steiglitz. Erin shared how Bagel Rescue collects unsold bagels from local businesses and delivers them to distribution centers so families in need can use them. Since then, Erin and I have been looking for a way to serve together.
On Saturday, October 3, at 10:00 AM, Bagel Rescue will deliver a large load of bagels to Room 8 at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church (4755 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody). Our job is simple: pack the bagels into family-size bags of about one dozen each. Bagel Rescue will then deliver the bags to local distribution centers. [read more]
Fellowship Opportunity
Help Welcome Sebastian, Our GRSP Student
We're having a welcome party for Sebastian on Sunday, October 4 at 4 pm - and you're invited to attend. Thanks to Carter and Marycarol for hosting this event at their home (3889 Downing Ln., Atlanta, GA 30319).
Sebastian is a senior at Oglethorpe University and hails from Guatemala. He was happy to serve at the DeKalb Rotary Council FODAC equipment collection day and is pictured here with President Dave (his GRSP host dad this year) and Past President Jennifer.
The welcome party offers a great opportunity to get to know him a little better and enjoy time with the Dunwoody Family of Rotary. The event begins at 4 pm and includes dinner. Please let Carter know if you will be attending (and how many people are coming with you) - and whether you plan to bring an appetizer, salad or dessert. The club will provide beverages and the main course.
