Welcome to District 5495 Club News

New Rotary club launches in Prescott Valley
We are excited to announce the re-establishment of the Rotary Club of Prescott Valley, a beacon for service, leadership, and community collaboration. With the support of civic leaders, Rotary visionaries, local business professionals, and dedicated citizens, we are embarking on a mission to uplift Prescott Valley and make a lasting difference.
 
Our Mission
The Rotary Club of Prescott Valley is committed to improving lives through impactful projects and fostering connections among service-minded individuals. Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant community.
 
How We’re Making a Difference
Rotary members are united by a passion for community service and creating solutions to local challenges. Some of our upcoming initiatives include:
  • Supporting Food Banks: Helping provide essential supplies to families in need.
  • Organizing Blood Drives: Partnering with the American Red Cross to save lives.
  • Empowering Schools: Supporting students and educators through meaningful programs.
  • Honoring Seniors, Veterans, and First Responders: Recognizing and supporting those who serve and shape our community.
 
Why Join Us?
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who believe in taking action. As a member of the Rotary Club of Prescott Valley, you will:
  • Make a tangible difference in your community.
  • Grow your personal and professional network with like-minded individuals.
  • Develop leadership skills through collaborative service projects.
  • Be part of a global movement tackling pressing issues like health, education, and sustainability.
 
We Need Your Help
Rebuilding the Rotary Club of Prescott Valley is a community-wide effort, and we’re looking for passionate, service-oriented individuals like you. Whether you're a civic leader, business professional, or concerned citizen, your skills and dedication can help us achieve great things for Prescott Valley.
 
Join Us Today!
Be part of a movement that’s transforming communities and changing lives. Reach out to us for more information about how you can get involved, attend our meetings, or support our projects.
 
Let’s make Prescott Valley a shining example of what community collaboration can achieve. Together, we can achieve more!
 
 
Meeting Information

Our first meeting will be Tuesday, January 14th @ 4:30 PM
 
The Rotary Club of Prescott Valley will meet twice a month on Tuesdays at 4:30PM. Meetings last approximately 1.5 hours and are held at the Elks Lodge, located at 6245 E. Second Street, Prescott Valley.
 
For more information, please contact:
Joe Sweeney
(928) 642-4252
Email: rotaryjoe5495@gmail.com
Bob Ticer
(928) 642-6198
blt4490@hotmail.com
 
 
 
Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek hosts Casino Night
 
Casino Night by Mary Kay Utecht,
President, Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek
 
Literacy shouldn’t be a “gamble” but in today’s world literacy is not guaranteed.  
 
The Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek has made a concerted effort to improve the literacy rates for the young people in our communities. We have devoted our time and resources to that cause.  And on January 10th , from 6pm to 9:00pm in the PebbleCreek Tuscany Falls Ballroom, you can join us for our “Gamble for the Cause” evening from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  We are holding a Rotary Casino Night to raise funds to continue and expand our programs for literacy and other youth service programs. It will be a fun evening of friendship and fellowship and “gambling for the cause.” 

For our serious gamblers, $75 will purchase you $250 of funny money and open the door to Rotary Casino.  You can show your luck at the Roulette Wheel, the Blackjack Table, slot machines Bingo,  or the Crap Table.  Throughout the evening there will be four special spins on the roulette wheel with payouts of $125.  Later in the evening a special raffle provides the lucky winner with a $500 cash payout. If you find yourself short of “money”, you can always purchase more funny money throughout the evening. If you need a break, relax at the cash bar and share some complimentary snacks with your friends. Once you have restored your gambling energy, check out the fabulous raffle items and join in with the live auction. 

Your evening of gambling  will help Rotary enroll more youngsters in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.  With the new funds, Rotary can provide a new book to be mailed to the child’s home each month.  Currently, GYPC Rotary Foundation is providing and paying for books to be mailed to 1,650 children ages birth to five. Since the program started in 2021 we have mailed over 37,000 free books. Also, to help support our literacy message, Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek Foundation provided our school districts’ school buses signage with messages that remind parents on the importance of reading to their children daily.  And next month, we will complete our efforts to put 10 Little Lending Libraries in neighborhoods throughout the community.  
 
Our GYPC Rotary Club and Foundation is committed to stocking each library with new children and adult books every month.  Each month the children in the neighborhoods should have new books to add to their reading lists.  All this is made possible through our business partnerships and community fundraising.  Please think about attending Rotary Casino in this effort on January 10th..   We invite you to think about becoming a member of the Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek.  Please use this QR code to purchase your tickets to attend. 

We meet each Wednesday morning at 7:00 am at the Eagles Nest clubhouse in PebbleCreek.  Join us any time!  It takes a village…come be part of our village!  

Questions? Contact Colleen Malany 630-651-1677 or Jim Frey 415-271-0714. 

See you at “The Rotary Casino.” 
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Rotary Club of Winslow presents 9 Paul Harris Fellows
 
Photo and story by Past President Lawrence Kenna
 
Winslow Rotary club awarded nine Paul Harris Fellow awards at its regular club meeting on Wednesday December 11, 2024.  
 
This Christmas-themed meeting welcomed District Foundation Chair Tom McLarty from the Cottonwood club and Past Governer and current District 5495 Interact Chair Art Harrington from the Prescott club to help in the festivities.  
 
In the photograph, from left, receiving their Paul Harris Fellow certificates are Kristy Armijo, Winslow Rotary Club President-elect; Rotarian Erna Snukis, Rotarian Connie Gover, Rotarian Ben Harris, Past President Kevin Coolidge, Winslow Rotary Club President Jessica Cox Atha, and Past President James Atha, Not shown are Rotarians Frank Guzman and Bob Hall; Tom McLarty from the Cottonwood Rotary Club, Art Harrington from the Prescott Rotary Club, and Past President Greg Hackler from the Winslow Rotary Club also shown officiating the occasion.  Art Harrington led the group in singing "Silent Night," an old tradition of the Winslow Rotary Club.
 
Erna Snukis is the club secretary and Kevin Coolidge is the club treasurer.
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes pays tribute to veterans
 
Several Rotary Club of Sun Lakes members attended the 21st Annual Heroes Patriotic Luncheon held at the Commemorative Air Force Museum at Mesa's Falcon Field.  Sponsored by the Veterans Medical Leadership Council (VMLC), the event honored many WWII veterans in attendance including US Marine Corps Peter McDonald - Corporal Navajo Code Talker in Pacific Theater of Operations in 1944-1946.  Medal of Honor recipients retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Sammy Lee Davis and retired U.S. Army Colonel Bruce Perry Crandall were special guest speakers.  Keynote speaker was retired senior Army Special Forces Officer John Fenzel. RCSL Rotarian/VP/U.S. Navy OEF/OIF Veteran Kiamesha Guy serves on the VMLC Board.
 
At a November RCSL meeting, Rich Simmons Board Member/VP of the Arizona Veterans Fly Fishing (AVFF)  program spoke about the non-profit organization that helps facilitate the physical and emotional well-being of disabled veterans through fly fishing and related activities.  RCSL and the San Tan Rotary Foundation presented checks totaling $900 to AVFF.
 
Vietnam Army Veteran Bill Wooster Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders shared his experiences of how the Patriots honor and show dignity and respect at memorial and funeral services honoring Killed in Action/Active Duty Fallen, Military Heroes, First Responders, Law Enforcement Officers and honorably discharged Veterans and their families. RCSL presented the Patriots a $500 check in support of the group's community service projects. 
 
Additionally, Army Veteran Mike Garcia shared his experience participating in AVFF fly fishing events and how his Soldiers Best Friend veteran service dog Nico has impacted his transition from active duty/combat. 
 
RCSL ackowledged its many Rotarian Veteran members, as well as, their veteran family members and friends. For more info about RCSL see - www.sunlakesrotary.com. 
 
Photo:  RCSL Club President Peter Meade and RCSL President-elect Ed Anderson present check to Bill Wooster Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders 
Rotary Club of Peoria North donates turkeys to local grade school
 
The Rotary Club of Peoria North helped to make Thanksgiving more joyful for several low-income families in Peoria. The club donated 16 turkeys to the food pantry at Alta Loma Elementary School, a Title 1 school in south Peoria. The turkeys were provided by the school to low-income families in time for Thanksgiving. Past President Vernon Bridges, right, presented the turkeys to staff members at the school.
Sun Lakes Rotary Club honors members for gifts to TRF
 
 
Several Rotary Club of Sun Lakes members were honored for his/her philanthropic gifts to Rotary International Foundation. The Rotary International Foundation transforms Rotarian’s gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty through local, domestic, and international service projects. 
 
RCSL Foundation Chair Chuck Snyder presented Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow recognition pins to RCSL Rotarians Gary Whiting (Paul Harris +8), Bonnie Whiting (Paul Harris +5) and Stan Kaufman (Paul Harris +4).  Per RCSL Club President, Peter Meade The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or have contributions in their names of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.  See  http://www.sunlakesrotary.com for more information.
 
Photo:  RCSL Foundation Chair Chuck Snyder with RCSL Rotarians Gary Whiting, Bonnie Whiting, Stan Kaufman and RCSL Club President Peter Meade at recent RI Foundation Paul Harris recognition ceremony.
 
Rotary Club of Scottsdale North supports New Pathways for Youth
 
“The Rotary Club of Scottsdale North presented a check for $5,000 to the non-profit New Pathways for Youth.  Accepting the grant were, Karen Johnson and John Patris-Browne. New Pathways for Youth’s mission is to transform the lives of youth in Phoenix who are experiencing poverty and three times the adversity of their peers by providing the support, stability, and skills they need to flourish in the community and in their families.
(Photo L-R, Rotary President Tom, John, & Karen)
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes recognizes August Teacher of the Month
 
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes recently presented its August 2024 Teacher of the Month Award to Sophie Steadman, CUSD Hamilton High School French Teacher.  And, its September 2024 Teacher of the Month to Kim Meyer, CUSD Arizona College Prep Middle School Science Teacher.
 
According to Gary Kay, RCSL's Education Chair, the award selection is based on a teacher's total years of service in the field of education; examples of how the teacher goes above the normal requirements and enhances student education; the respect shown for the teacher by his/her peers, students and parents; and, the teacher''s involvement in extracurricular activities and service in the community. 
 
A $700 check is awarded to the honored teacher - $200 from RCS, $400 from Earnhardt Automorie Center and $100 from Trust Bank. 
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Prescott Sunup shares story of town's All Vets Memorial
 
Neil Logan, the creator of the sculpture which is the centerpiece of our Sunup Rotary Club's All Vets Memorial, situated on the west side of the Yavapai County Courthouse, recently shared with the club the background behind it. 
 
The dramatic and realistic sculpture depicts a medic, holding an injured soldier, as he beckons in the MediVac helicoptor to pick them up and to fly them to the nearest medical treatment center.  Neil, a combat veteran himself, told us his brother had been a highly decorated pilot flying these dangerous missions during the Vietnam War, and had been shot down four times.  To the surprise of many of us, Neil related the enormous political difficulties our local veterans faced in gaining the necessary permission to place the sculpture on the Courthouse Square. 
 
On behalf of those veterans, he profusely thanked our Rotary club for having made this memorial such an attractive and respectful centerpiece in its current location, and for our work each year in continuing to maintain this memorial.  It was noted that special credit goes to our member John Stewart for his committed leadership of this high priority annual club project.
 
Prescott Mayor Phil Goode related to us the background of the bronze memorial plaque part of the memorial, which bears the names of all of Prescott's military heroes whose lives have been lost over the years, defending our country and the freedoms we enjoy as the result of their sacrifice.  The plaque has been updated once; and he said it will need to be updated again, at some point, to add the names of others who have since lost their lives serving our country.  Phil also told us of the time when he personally shielded the memorial placque with his body when it was about to be defaced by demonstrators who invaded Prescott.