Rotary International President-elect Olayinka H. Babalola called on members to Create Lasting Impact at Rotary’s International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA, on 12 January. He urged members to make their clubs more welcoming, carry out impactful projects, and allow their Rotary experiences to transform them personally. “If we can change ourselves, we can change our districts,” he said. “If we can change our districts, we can change the communities we serve. And if we can change our communities, we will change the world.” Learn more.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - This week’s KOTA Cares highlights an organization giving the gift of mobility: Hope Haven International Ministries. A trunkload of mismatched wheelchairs is ready for a second life as Hope Haven finishes its Midwest collection drive with Karl’s TV, Audio, Appliances & Furniture. Click to play video.
The Mitchell Rotary Club made a meaningful impact throughout the holiday season with several projects aimed at supporting local families and community partners. Early in December, club members completed a hands-on service project assembling shelf-stable meal kits, which were delivered to the Mitchell High School Caring Closet and the Mitchell Food Pantry. These kits helped ensure students and families entered the Christmas break with easy-to-prepare meals on hand.
Like many of you in Rotary District 5610, I grew up at a time when polio was already disappearing from daily life in the United States. By the time I was born, the vaccine had done its job so well (at least in the US) that polio was no longer something families here feared. I don’t personally know anyone who suffered from the disease. And yet, as Rotarians, we know the story doesn’t end at our borders.
The Watertown Rotary Club is proud to once again partner with Slumberland through its long-standing Homes for the Holidays program, helping provide beds and bedding to families in need throughout the Watertown area.
Experience the spirit of the Rotary Revolution with “26 Bucks and a Dream,” an original rap music video created exclusively for the Zones 33/34 Summit. This high-energy piece brings Arch Klumph’s revolutionary vision to life, tracing the Rotary Foundation’s journey from a $26.50 idea to a global force for good. Blending historical storytelling with modern rhythm, the video captures the bold, innovative spirit driving our Zones today.
This holiday season, members of the Rotary Club of Sioux City found a simple yet meaningful way to brighten the days of local seniors. Rotarians designed handmade holiday cards filled with heartfelt messages and cheerful drawings, each one created with care and compassion.
If you missed the interactive and inspiring Rotary Public Image Training designed to empower every Rotarian to help shape how Rotary is seen in our communities, good news!! We had over 45 Rotarians received training from Patrick Harrison earlier this month! Reach out to our District Public Image Chair Michael Winkleman, Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary Club, to get engaged! It isn’t just a committee—it’s a team effort, and your club's involvement can make a big impact.
Through grant funding received from Rotary Internation and District 5610, Rapid City Rotary and the Advocates in Action service club partnered with Rushmore Rotary and its impact club, as well as the Minneluzahan Senior Center, Rapid City Club for Boys, and Rapid City Stevens High School Culinary Arts Program, to host the Opening Hearts & Catering Community Conversations Veteran’s initiative — a community-building project centered around food, connection, and shared learning.
Members of the Sioux Falls South Rotary Club recently put Service Above Self into action by serving a meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, offering both nourishment and encouragement during a challenging time.
The Rapid City Rotary Club Advocates in Action service club stocked the Lakota Homes Food Pantry in Rapid City through the holidays. The pantry was initiated by the Rapid City Rotary Club in 2020 to serve residents of the Lakota Homes community located in North Rapid City during COVID.
Madison Rotary Members gather with Mrs. Santa, Lisa Zandt, owner of Sundog, to enjoy fellowship with members from the Valiant Living Staff. Rotary members baked dozens and dozens of cookies and bars to share with the residents and community served by Valiant Living at their Holiday Party on December 17th.
The Spearfish Rotary Club sponsored a Beer, Brats, and Bingo event at the VFW held in Spearfish on the 30th from 4-8 p.m. Prizes or silent auction items were won by many, however the true gift was the friendships built in the community!
Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary was proud to deliver an early holiday gift to students at Sioux Falls Whittier Middle School, helping ensure the season is a little warmer and brighter for those in need. The club donated $1,000 to support students with essential items such as coats, gloves, and other winter necessities.
You can make a difference in this world by helping others in need - from supplying a vaccine to protect a child from polio to training peacebuilders in conflict resolution to help build a more peaceful future. With your help, The Rotary Foundation can make lives better in your community and around the world.
Members of Rushmore Rotary recently took action to support their community by participating in a clean-up effort at the city park located at Falls Drive and Park Drive. The project focused on removing woody debris left behind in the park, helping restore the area for public use.
Ravishankar Dakoju pledged that he and his wife and fellow club member, Paola Dakoju, would donate approximately US$50 million (4.5 billion Indian rupees) to The Rotary Foundation.
