Quota Club Continues to Support D&HHS and the Community
The local Quota Club of Grand Rapids, part of a 100-year-old, world-wide service organization, was founded in 1945, just after World War II.
Then the focus was on service to others, including supporting the area’s many post-war needs.
In the 76 years since, the club, which Communications Chair Cathy Kaiser describes as “16 strong and mighty members,” has refined its focus and now looks to support hearing-related needs.
So, a partnership with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services has been a perfect fit.
D&HHS assists people with hearing-related needs and the Grand Rapids Quota Club is always more than happy to assist the work.
“Our club’s formal mission is to serve people who are hard of hearing or Deaf,” Kaiser said. “We envision a community that works together to remove communication barriers, and we believe that a meaningful life is one that opens opportunities for all.”
The latest connection between Quota and D&HHS is Quota’s sponsorship of online American Sign Language classes.
“Helping to provide communication tools for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is at the heart of what we do,” said Kaiser. “Working with D&HHS, particularly by helping to fund the ASL classes, we are able to touch many people and provide stronger connections with both hearing and Deaf communities. Quota gets to be a part of this valuable service, and D&HHS gets to utilize their funds for other needed programs. We like projects where we win-win.”
D&HHS executive director Deb Atwood heartily agreed.
“Our local Quota Club has been such a strong supporter of the work we do for many years now,” Atwood noted. “We get very little government funding, so we depend on donations and partnerships with organizations like Quota to be able to serve the people we serve. Cathy is exactly right when she says that Quota’s support allows us to use our limited funds for other programs, and we are exceedingly grateful.”
Quota Club meets monthly to move forward on club projects and activities and share information about hearing and hearing loss. Kaiser added that Quota meetings provide a great place to develop project management skills.
“We have navigated Zoom meetings,” Kaiser said with a chuckle, “but are anxious to meet again in person, whether at a restaurant, meeting space or in a big backyard!”
And she encourages others who are interested in issues around hearing to consider joining Quota Club.
“There are long-lasting and sometimes hidden advantages to our Quota Club,” she said. “While we focus our energies on fundraising and service projects, we always manage to weave in fun and friendship. We boast many life-long friendships, as well as valuable networking connections that have led to new jobs,multi-generational celebrations, international travel and fun food and beverage events. We welcome new members for a project or a lifetime.”
See www.quotagr.org