Stories

Rotary’s Learning Center now available on mobile devices!  You can now take Rotary’s online courses on most mobile devices. See our how-to guide for detailed instructions or follow these steps to get started:

On February 27^th, Richardson East Rotary Club held its Games and Gala, the first ever virtual! When planning started back in July 2020, there was still a chance to hold an in-person event, however rather quickly it was apparent that it would be very questionable and therefore all efforts were put into a virtual event.

1.  RYLA – While the RYLA camp was cancelled, the RYLA management worked to create a new virtual camping model, giving a chance for those who didn’t get to go to camp a chance to experience RYLA, make new friends and learn new lessons.
2. YOUTH EXCHANGE – Again the pandemic struck.  Long term and short term exchanges were cancelled, but again the RYE management team pulled together to create a virtual exchange experience.

On Saturday September 19th, the Irving Sunrise Rotary Club participated in the City of Irving's 29th Annual Trash Bash. We added this to our monthly Adopt-a-Spot program.

In keeping with Prestonwood Rotary’s long-standing commitment to international service, our chair for these projects, Glen Campbell, was able to provide the near-completion of yet another water project in Africa:

Dozens gathered near City Park in Commerce on a chilly Friday night to honor local veterans. There, they witnessed the official dedication of the new “Waves of Glory” installation across the street from the park. Created by the Commerce Rotary Club, “Waves” has been a big undertaking for the local club.

What are your desires in your own personal education of Rotary?  

As I attended the Zone Institute this past month, the word training was mentioned several times but not what you typically think in Rotary.  RI Larry Dimmitt was the first one in his speech to share about training and the importance of education in Rotary. He defined training as more like what we do with our animals, such as how to shake or catch a stick. And education is more about understanding and knowing.  So Rotary is not about training but rather about education.

The Mesquite Rotary Club’s president John Taylor presented the City of Mesquite’s manager of neighborhood vitality Yolanda Wilson a donation of $2,500 at their meeting on August 13^th, to assist with underwriting expenses for the annual Addressing Mesquite program.

The Mesquite Rotary Club held induction ceremonies for the group’s 2019-2020 officers and board members at their meeting on July 9^th.  All 33,000 local clubs in Rotary International change their leadership in July each year.  This provides for fresh vision and energy throughout the worldwide organization of business and professional leaders, which was established in 1905.  The ceremonies were performed by the Rotary District 5810 governor-elect John Moser.

The past two years saw Mother Nature rain out the City of Plano’s hot air balloon festival and, in doing so, also washed away the Rotary Club of Plano West’s funnel cake fundraiser, a primary source of income.

The McKinney Parks and Recreation Department held a grand opening celebration June 15 for Phase II of Bonnie Wenk Park. Renovations to the 170-acre park include an all-abilities park, a skywalk, zipline and ropes courses, concrete hike and bike trails, two additional parking lots, five play pods and two multipurpose sports fields.

The all-abilities playground is designed for children of all ages, abilities and needs. This playground is a joint effort between the city and the Rotary clubs of McKinney. It was the biggest donation in District 5810 to date when the Rotary Clubs of McKinney collab to bring Bonnie Wenk park Phase II to life.

Again this year, the Addison Midday Rotary Club made 50 Easter Baskets for Hope Supply.  Hope Supply told us that they were about 200 Easter Baskets short of requested baskets.  This is a good project for a Rotary Club, group or individual.  We make the baskets for less than $10 each and we assemble them in 20 minutes.  

The Richardson Rotary is proud to support the City of Richardson Employee and Supervisor of the Year program for over 30 years. On Monday, February 4, Richardson Rotary Club honored the 2018 City of Richardson Employee of the Year, Edward Martinez, and Supervisor of the Year, Eric Robison. 

What's better than raising money for local charities? Watching local dignitaries compete against an out-of-their-league basketball team to do it. That's the idea the Rotary Club of Frisco had when coming up with plans for its annual fundraiser this year.

As a professional Santa Claus, it’s not unusual for Bill Dendy to get Christmas requests and letters from kids. What is unusual is the email he received just a few weeks ago. “Yeah, I got a letter and it was not from a kid, but it was actually from their mom,” Dendy said.