President Uriah Anderson welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Bishop Brian Hayes provided the prayer.
Our inspirational quote provided by Don Overly: “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future." – French Chef Paul Beese
Announcements:
- Thank you to today’s greeters, Vince Carone and Brian Sortman.
- Welcome today’s guests: Arnie Biondo’s son Peter; Mark Kottman’s guest, Mark Reese; Dr. Dan Sallee, a prospective member.
- A group from our club will be attending the Sing Out Polio event on October 27th from 5:30-9:00 pm at On Par in Beavercreek. Come on out to help end polio. See more info below.
- We received a thank you from CHS students, Braden and Emma, who shared that Centerville High School raised $141,216.43 for Spirit Chain this year. Our contributions helped Braden win Spirit King this year.
- Our next social will be on September 30th at Meridian. Please RSVP to Sofie ASAP.
- This past Monday was our September board meeting. We voted to support the Washington Centerville Public Library’s Ghost Walk and to send another cholesterol meter with test strips to Malawi via Eric Hammond.
Kristy Caudill-Spivey finished her red ribbon requirements and was able to remove her new member ribbon. Congrats Kristy!
Additional Announcements:
- Sofie Ameloot shared that Arnie, Brad & Sofie attended the CHS Club Fair to help promote Interact, although the kids didn’t need any help. 125 students signed up indicating their interested. Bob Fry’s granddaughter was there along with Brad’s niece. Next week is the Interact Club’s first meeting. Let Sofie know if you would like to attend. See photos below.
- Mark Kottman reminded all to pick up your Pancake tickets and to pay if you haven’t already. The amount owed is written on the envelope.
- Adam Manning shared sign up sheets for the Park District’s Hop and Howl, Oct 1 & Oct 8, 3:30-6 pm at Forest Field Park. Sign up to help hand out goodies and share about Rotary.
- Pancake yard signs can go out now; volunteer sign up sheets are available so grab the best slots before they are filled; Posters for businesses are also available.
- Adopt a Highway cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, Oct 3. Meet at Yankee Trace at 8 am. Finished by 12 noon.
Happy Bucks- Quarterly charitable recipient is local Disaster Relief in Indiana (District 6560 Disaster Relief Fund).
Pat Beckel was our Sergeant at Arms with assistance by Brian Hayes.
- Pat B for Kristy and our wonderful speaker today. Ashley, does amazing things throughout the community.
- Gina S for guests, today’s speaker, and moving her son into his first apartment in North Carolina.
- Ashley C for her healthy children, as so many are suffering medical trauma.
- Bill M had a great vacation in Michigan, and celebrates his 33rd wedding anniversary tomorrow.
- Dale B for the Dayton Art Institute Octoberfest this weekend
- Arnie B for the Interact kids.
- Carol K for a great week in Vermont/New York and will be in New York City next week for Buddy Guy’s 90th birthday concert at Radio City Music Hall.
- Ron H shared both he and Lori got honorable mentions at the Joyce Young Center art exhibit and Lori also got the people’s choice award.
- Jake H will be attending homecoming this weekend at his alma mater, Marshall University with 18 of his friends.
- Adam M celebrated his 42nd birthday. Happy Birthday, Adam!
- Frank P did lots of traveling all summer and is glad to be back.
- Dan S celebrated his 71st birthday yesterday and Brian’s birthday is next week.
- Kristin H for all the new faces in the room.
- Sofie A for today’s guests, gave thanks to Kristy, and shared her daughter, Noë is now the Interact teacher at Marion High School where she teaches.
- Mike W had storm damage, and was looking for someone to repair roof & gutters.
- Brian S was happy his dad had another birthday.
- Mark K for guests, is back from Nashville where he had good family time and arrived back Sunday just in time for the wind.
- Dave T for his youngest granddaughter loving it at the University of Chicago.
- Bob F was happy his granddaughter is joining Interact.
- Socks for today’s guests.
- Chuck for today’s guests.
- Don S for daughter Mallory who will be visiting for his 65th birthday tomorrow, and will be going to the OSU game together this weekend.
- Elda GG wished happy birthday to all the birthday people, and welcomed today's guests, especially Peter.
- Gary H was happy to be back.
Our speaker today was Ashley Campbell, with the Fairy Godmother Foundation.
Ashley Campbell has spent nearly two decades creating magical experiences for children and families. After working as a Disney princess performer beginning in 2005, Ashley saw firsthand how difficult it could be for children to experience meaningful time with their favorite characters. She wanted to bring that magic closer to home.
In 2010, she launched Fairy Godmother Events in California with one dress. The company grew to more than 100 characters, partnering with businesses, organizations and park districts for everything from birthday parties and milestone celebrations to corporate events and community gatherings.
In 2022, Ashley moved to Dayton, sold two restaurants and went all-in on Fairy Godmother Events. Her philosophy? “Theme parks are the fast food of magic.”
That commitment to creating meaningful experiences led to the launch of the Fairy Godmother Foundation in July 2026. The foundation brings professional performers to children experiencing medical trauma, providing regular visits rather than one-time appearances. The program now brings two characters each week and is fully funded for 2026.
The mission of the foundation is: Bringing magic to children in need through professional character entertainment hospital residencies while inspiring future generations of philanthropists.
The foundation is also expanding its reach through partnerships with Michael's House, Care House, St. Leonard's and others, while teaching children the importance of philanthropy and giving back.
Led by Ashley as CEO, Ceili Boston CFO, and supported by a board of 11 local leaders, the foundation has an ambitious vision to expand this work nationally and eventually internationally, including bringing “magic camps” to children living in orphanages.
The pillars of the Foundation are:
- Frequent Visits to children experiencing medical trauma, providing an ongoing presence by paying actors to ensure regular visits to the kids.
- Teaching Philanthropy to children. Teaching through example and how important it is to be a part of solutions. They are planning a whole family black tie gala next year at the Dayton Art Institute. The Dayton Philharmonic will accompany the princesses as they perform.
From a single dress to more than 100 characters—and from birthday parties to hospital visits—Ashley Campbell is proving that magic can be more than entertainment. It can be a way to connect, comfort and give back.
