Melissa Gill

Melissa is involved in many community and charitable activities. Of particular importance to her is the cause of fundraising and awareness for breast cancer research. The Susan G. Komen Foundation sponsors a 3-Day for the Cure walk every year in several cities around the US in which thousands of participants walk 60 miles to raise money for breast cancer research. Training can be difficult on days of snow or inclement weather, so the treadmill is an important part of her daily routine. In seasonable weather, she has the ultimate surroundings in which to walk on 19 acres at home.

Honeybrook Farms is a small rescue farm that Melissa and her family operate as a means to provide a home to farm animals that are no longer wanted. The current collection includes an African Zebu, a Scottish Highland cow, two Holstein bulls, five miniature Nubian goats, three dogs, four pot bellied pigs, and a collection of chickens.

Family is always first in Melissa’s life. Because she lives in another state, visits with her extended family are limited to a few times each year. One of these gatherings is a trip made by the women in her family. They choose a different location each year and meet to spend a week catching up and enjoying the sights. The only requirement is that they all relax and enjoy the time away from daily responsibilities.

Melissa is co-owner and operator of a catering business, and she and her husband, James, have 7 children, ranging in age from 4 to 16, four of whom are adopted.

Melissa was nominated by the Rotary Club of White County.

Contact: Melissa.Gill@RotaryGSETeam.org