The Valdosta Rotary Club is proud to sponsor the Sister-to-Sister: Re-Imagine the Power of “SHE” Summit on Saturday, March 7, at Valdosta State University. The annual event, hosted by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) – Valdosta Branch, is a one-day prevention and empowerment summit for middle school girls from Valdosta and surrounding communities.

The summit focuses on safety, healthy choices, and education. It helps young women build self-esteem, make informed decisions, and learn about the risks of opioid misuse.

The Valdosta Rotary Club received a $5,000 grant from the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust, managed by Rotary District 6920, to support the event. This grant focuses on preventing future opioid misuse through education and prevention. It is part of a larger district-wide effort to help Rotary clubs address the opioid crisis in their communities.

“Investing in prevention and empowerment efforts like the Sister-to-Sister Summit is critical to building a stronger, healthier Lowndes County,” said Thressea H. Boyd, President of the Valdosta Rotary Club. “Rotary has always been committed to serving others and improving lives, especially when it comes to protecting and uplifting our children. By supporting education, prevention, and positive mentorship, we are helping shape confident young leaders while addressing real challenges that impact families across our community.”

As part of the summit, Laci Rankhorn, a Valdosta Rotary Club and AAUW member and Certified Addiction Counselor, will join Jessica Arnett, an Opioid Prevention Analyst with the South Georgia Department of Public Health, to present a keynote session on “Youth Prevention and the Opioid Crisis.” Their talk will give participants age-appropriate education, awareness tools, and practical strategies to help them make healthy, informed choices.

Founded in 1919, the Valdosta Rotary Club has a long history of service. The club supports projects from literacy and education to honoring local law enforcement and helping families in need. Every year, Valdosta Rotarians volunteer hundreds of hours, making a real difference for people throughout Lowndes County.

The Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust was created in 2022 to manage and distribute up to $1.3 billion from several opioid settlements over 18 years. These private funds, not taxpayer dollars, support prevention, treatment, recovery, harm reduction, education, law enforcement, and research across Georgia.

Rotary District 6920 includes more than 2,860 active members serving communities both locally and around the world. Rotary clubs across Southeast Georgia provide food, shelter, and healthcare, support education and environmental projects, and address important community needs.

For more information contact, Valdosta Rotary Club of Valdosta at [email protected].