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Biography for Darwin Brewster
Darwin Brewster started at Sparrow Health System in 1985 opening Sparrow Medical Supply, a durable medical equipment store. Under Darwin’s leadership Sparrow Medical Supply has grown to 8 locations: Mt Pleasant, Ionia, St Johns, Grand Ledge, Charlotte, Williamston and Lansing. Darwin Brewster is now the Executive Director of Sparrow Community Care, which includes Sparrow Wound Care & Hyperbaric Clinic, Sparrow Home Care, Sparrow Hospice Home and House, Sparrow Medical Supply and Sparrow Pharmacy Plus.
 
Darwin holds a Master’s Degree from Western Michigan and an undergraduate degree from Spring Arbor.
 
Darwin sits on various Boards in the Lansing community including Lansing Rotary, the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan, and Sparrow Community Care. Darwin has participated in the Mentor/Mentee program at Sparrow Health System and has successful negotiated a new agreement between Sparrow Home Care and the Michigan Nurses Association.
 
Darwin has been married 40 years to his lovely wife Dawn and together they have 3 sons and 6 grandchildren. Two of his sons reside in the Lansing area. His oldest son is currently a Lieutenant in the US Navy and resides in the Seattle area
Editarian Report for June 22, 2018
You know, typically, the annual Foundation Meeting places a close second to the excitement of an Assistant District Governor visit, but this year was different. There was magic in the air and I can only attribute that magic to the supreme leadership of President Darwin Brewster. Darwin is finishing out his year in style and called the meeting to order with his usual, “I guess we may as well get started.” Jim Dixon’s invocation was a graceful and brief letter to the Almighty (Dear Lord, ...). In the time it took me to type, dot, dot, dot, Jim was done with the invocation.
 
We sang America which was originally a poem, and published in the 4th of July edition of The Congregationalist in 1895. We had a number of visitors and only one non PC introduction by the ever so hot Chris Holman. A new low. Jeff Crippen said the health of the Club is as good as one of his high mileage used cars. We squeak and creak a bit, but we get around. I think Darwin missed announcing the Habitat Rock the Block Special Projects Service Opportunity on July 11th. Contact Jason Brunette or Cathy for more information.
 
Of course we had Special Music. Ken Beachler introduced us to Bronnie Brown who like most real musicians, has a day job. His day job is at Marshall Music where he helps schools fine tune their instrument needs. Accompanied by John Dale Smith on the piano, Brown played All of Me on the clarinet. We got our kicks when he picked up the tenor and played Route 66. You’ll really appreciate the quality of Special Music after next week’s meeting. I mean, like, you will be sending hand written thank you letters to Ken Beachler and John Dale Smith. Seriously. You’ll be begging them for the return of special music.
 
With the regular weekly ditties out of the way, the microphone was passed to Nick Heriford, President of the Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation. Nick gave a big shout out to Past President Courtney Millbrook, President Elect Jim Dixon and Treasurer Melody Warzecha. He also recognized Directors Melanie Dart, Donna Gardner, Kurt Hanus, Rachelle Neal, Sam Tucker, Mike Abel, John Person, Diane Sanborn and yours truly for their tireless service above self, wearing Rotary pins to all board meetings and being able to recite from memory the 4-way test before each board meeting.
 
Then President Heriford did what most bankers do, he hit the numbers. When should we give? 3 Times a year, Christmas, Birthday and Paul Harris. Special events? We got ‘em, Golf Outing, Centennial and Clock Tower. And of course, end of life and your once in a lifetime opportunity to give to The Jack Bates Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation Endowment Fund! I know, end of life usually sounds dreary, but think of the good your Rotary Foundation can do with your generosity! In the last 101 years, we’ve made grants totaling $3,031,567.91, with $1,060,385.70 of that done in the last ten years!
 
Nick turned the mic over to Treasurer Warzecha who informed the club that as a result of recent bequests and club generosity, we’ve gone from an annual Foundation grant making capacity of $56,365 in 2016-2017 to $105,491 for 2018-2019! Because of your phenomenal generosity, the Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation is going to be able to fund some amazing, transformative projects here in the Lansing area and to a lesser extent, abroad. If you want to make a difference in your community, being on the Foundation Board is a great way to serve. Sam Tucker then took the podium and showed how the increased annual grant making capacity is put to work locally. In 2017, your foundation awarded $60,000 in local grants compared to $35,000 the year before. John Person was front and center to show the same on the international stage where we granted $25,232 in 2017, compared to $20,000 in 2016. The Foundation this past year also increased the sophistication of its grant review process to better steward your generosity. The Foundation is looking forward to making impactful grants going forward and this will require applicants to step up their game in making quality applications for the larger grants that will be available. Kevin Schumacher rounded out the speakers with a brief but profound presentation about the Rotary Riverfront Park. His offer is open for all takers who want a tour of the park followed by a complimentary sports beverage. The Club rose en masse to give Cathy a well deserved standing ovation for her service to both the Foundation and the Club. With that, President Darwin called it a day and sent us on our way.
 
Kevin Schumacher's email is:  Schumacher@glassenrhead.com
Speakers
Jul 13, 2018
Paul Harris Awards @ Crowne Plaza on Creyts Road
Jul 20, 2018
The 366th "All Black" Army Infantry in WW II @ Lansing Center
Jul 27, 2018
Family History at the Lansing Center
Aug 03, 2018
"Charter School Impact Across the Mitten: Parents, Politics and Outcomes"
View entire list
Rotary Club of Lansing
P. O. Box 13156
Lansing, MI   48901-3156