The Corbin Rotary Club held its weekly meeting on Sept. 18 with guest speaker Melody Liperote from the Lipari Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides food relief in the local area.
Liperote, joined by her husband, Richard, said her passion for public service traces back to her childhood, around six years young, when she tagged along with family members who were active in Rotary events.
“I do owe a very big debt of gratitude to them for teaching me how to be a public servant because without that, I don’t feel like I would do any of the things I do as effectively as I do them because they’ve been fabulous role models,” Liperote said. “Everything that your club does is phenomenal. I have always admired the amount of participation that you give to children.”
The Liperotes operate Lipari Energy, which is a coal company in London, but much of their community focus comes through the Lipari Foundation, which began in 2014. Over the years, the foundation has funded school athletic needs, provided food and relief during natural disasters, and organized coat drives for children in Eastern Kentucky.
In 2022, 43 lives were lost to the Eastern Kentucky flood. Liperote recalled thousands and thousands of damaged homes.
“There was just devastation all around and no one knew what to do,” Liperote said.
Volunteers delivered medical supplies, food, and basic necessities door-to-door, and eventually provided new coats to more than 1,000 children.
“We didn’t leave until all the coats were handed to these kids,” Liperote said.
Liperote mentioned they donate half of whatever they take in to the local backpack club, as well as donating money. They also donate to Grace Fellowship’s food pantry.
Liperote mentioned she immediately acted to help the victims in London who were negatively impacted by the tornado. With some help, they were able to provide 3,000 meals during the first week. They provided food for the next two weeks to the children who were unable to return to school, delivering it by hand to their residences.
The foundation did a program called “Adopt a Grandparent”. In the nursing home, if an individual had not had a visitor within the last two months, they would receive that person’s name. They brought in around 300 pairs of pajamas between Corbin and Hazard.
“Overall, I’m just really proud to be a Kentucky girl born and raised,” Liperote said. “Every blessing I have, if I can give back to someone else, not necessarily that I have to be memorable, but I do want to be generous, and I do want people to know that there are people who care about you. We do want to help you.”
Liperote closed by thanking the members of the Rotary Club for inspiring her.
The meeting also included an announcement that the annual Thanksgiving dinner for senior citizens has been rescheduled for Nov. 20.
At their next meeting on Sept. 25, the guest speaker will be Tracie Byers.
