Rotary Foundation receives Allstate Foundation grant to aid Leadership Connection

Submitted

Congratulations to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for receiving a $5,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grant.

When youth are empowered with opportunities and resources, meaningful change happens. A total of 42 million youth are ready to be changemakers. Imagine the positive impact they could have on communities, and themselves, through opportunities like Carmel Rotary’s Leadership Connection.  Thank you to the Indianapolis Allstate agents and Rotary District 6560 for empowering youth during the 2024 Leadership Connection volunteer and leadership event.

This grant was awarded thanks to the work of Carmel Allstate agent Ranj Puthran, who owns the Ranj Puthran Allstate Agency. He has worked for Allstate for 30 years. His mission sums up his own values and shows just what Puthran, and the Carmel Rotary Leadership Connection, share in their goals: “My mission and passion is to help build a secure wall of protection, guide, coach and teach, provide hands-on assistance, seek solutions, care and embrace individuals like one of my own.”

Puthran has been a long-time member of the Carmel Chamber of Commerce and was the Chamber’s Most Valuable Volunteer for 2013.

Richard M. Markoff, Ph.D., a member of the Carmel Rotary and part of the Leadership Connection, stated, “It was great working with Ranj on this effort!”

The grant, in the amount of $5,000, will be used to help the Carmel Rotary Leadership Connection with its annual volunteer and leadership events.

Leadership Connection is a branded event of the Rotary Club of Carmel in partnership with iTeam Think Tank, Carmel Clay Schools, Carmel Fire Department, Christel House Watanabe Manual High School, and Pro/Act Indy.

Since its inception in 2021, the Leadership Connection has been serving its mission to connect today’s leaders with the next generation to build a stronger community. Leadership Connection provides a forum for local high school students to engage with distinguished professionals from both the private and public sectors, allowing students to build professional and personal leadership skills while providing members of our community the opportunity to positively impact the next generation.

The Rotary Club of Carmel is proud to partner with distinguished members of the community to lead this workshop and service activity that brings students from both Carmel and Indianapolis together as they explore their futures and learn how they can impact their communities.

Students who attend the leadership events can also apply for the Portee Leadership Connection scholarship, which awards funds to a college or trade school of their choice and a laptop computer.

Leadership Connection has impacted more than 350 Carmel and Indianapolis inner-city high school juniors and seniors in tandem with 100 business, community, and non-profit executives and leaders since its start.

The mission of Leadership Connection is “We connect today’s leaders to ignite future leaders in building a stronger community.”

For more information, visit RotaryLeadershipConnection.com.