The Verrado Rotary Club and the Verrado Rotary Foundation extend their deepest gratitude to every attendee, donor, and volunteer who helped make Gathering Buckeye III an extraordinary success. Your generosity, energy, and commitment transformed this event into something truly meaningful for our entire community.

Because of your support, we were honored to present a $100,000 check to All Faith Community Services Buckeye Food Bank. This contribution is far more than a number—it represents meals, stability, and hope for families who are facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

This gift will help the Buckeye Food Bank:

• Provide thousands of additional meals to households struggling with food insecurity
• Expand access to fresh, healthy food options for children, seniors, and vulnerable adults
• Strengthen emergency support programs that keep families afloat during crises

Ensure that no one in our community has to choose between paying a bill and putting food on the table       

Your involvement—whether through time, talent, or financial support—directly improves the lives of those who need it most. Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate Buckeye, one act of service at a time.  

Thank you for standing with us, for believing in this mission, and for making a lasting difference in our community.

If you have any questions about this event please contact the organizer for Verrado Rotary Foundation at doug.bredow@gmail.com

Two NAU students have revived the Rotaract mission in Flagstaff.

Rotaract is a network of young-adult service clubs affiliated with Rotary International. There are more than 10,000 such clubs worldwide, with most based in universities.

Sophia Brown is president of the club, with classmate Hugo Garcia Duran serving as vice president. Both have been driving forces in bringing back Rotaract, which has not been active on
campus for several years. The Flagstaff Rotary Club, the sponsoring organization, is very excited about this initiative.

“Our Rotarians are looking forward to working closely with the NAU Rotaract Club to mentor and support their activities and service projects,” Flagstaff Rotary Club President Mike Williams
said. "Our two clubs share the goals of exchanging ideas with community leaders in and near Flagstaff, developing leadership and professional skills, and having fun together through service.”

Sophia, an English major from Prescott, was a member of Rotary's Interact in high school, serving on the Interact District Council and as president of her school's club during her senior year. Interact clubs are run by youths 18 and under. 

“Rotary really changed my life,” she said during a presentation at a recent Flagstaff Rotary Club meeting, “and now I want to share that opportunity with others.”

Sophia’s life-changing involvement began during the summer of 2024 when she served as Interact ambassador to Kenya, helping distribute mobility devices to various organizations and communities.

“Getting to see the impact of our fundraisers, mobility equipment drives, and advocacy firsthand was so impactful,” Sophia said. “I came back wanting to share the story of what I experienced and encourage people to keep participating, because every little thing can help build a larger picture of impact.

“Interact, Rotaract and Rotary touches so many lives,” she continued, “and I am so grateful to be a part of it. They have given me a purpose, a role in my communities, and I look forward to continuing this impact at Northern Arizona University.”

Sophia has nearly a dozen prospective members lined up for NAU Rotaract. Starting this fall, the club will fully begin its focus on community service, leadership development and professional networking.

The Club is open to NAU students who are committed to serving the Flagstaff community and creating lasting connections between the club and local and worldwide organizations. To learn more, visit @rotaract_nau on Instagram.

Submitted by Gary Whiting and Dr Honora Norton

The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) is celebrating 40 years of service, leadership, and community impact. Chartered on April 22, 1986, RCSL has grown from a small group of retirees to one of Arizona’s most active Rotary clubs.

RCSL plans to hold its 40th Anniversary Dinner Celebration 4:30-6 p.m. April 21, 2026, at Sun Lakes Cottonwood Country Club ballroom. Watch RCSL’s website – www.sunlakesrotary.com for details to register and join RCSL’s members, guests and contributing sponsors at this inspiring celebration.     

In 1985, Chandler Rotarian Andre Felix posted an invitation for Sun Lakes residents to attend a Rotary meet-and-greet. Wayne Johnson was among the first to respond, and soon with seven others the group decided Sun Lakes needed a Rotary presence. Arizona Rotary District 5510 and Rotary International formally approved RCSL as a Tuesday morning club with 15 charter members, led by first president Allan Gustafson. Membership peaked at 140 in 2000–2001 and now maintains 90-plus members.

RCSL has had 40 presidents, including six women, several of whom have served in Arizona district leadership roles. In 2000–2001, Rotary International recognized RCSL as one of Rotary’s 50 largest clubs and received the 21st Century Challenge Award. During Rotary’s 2004-2005 centennial year, Past President Gary Whiting served as Arizona District 5510’s Centennial Governor, overseeing 46 Rotary clubs in Northeastern Arizona.

RCSL is known as “The Education Club.” RCSL supports youth programs, such as Student Exchange, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Award, AWIM and 4-Way Test essay competitions, and scholarships. RCSL honors educators with monthly and annual awards. One of RCSL’s traditions is the Third Grade Dictionary Project — launched 22 years ago by the late Dwight Grotewold. Each year the club distributes over 4,000 dictionaries to third-grade students. To date over 88,000 dictionaries have been delivered to Chandler Unified School District students and Gila River Indian Community schools.

RCSL supports the Rotary International Foundation and has participated in 13 Humanitarian Global Grants totaling over $533,000, which include a 2018–19 project bringing inside running tap water to 33 off-the-grid isolated Navajo homes, improving access to safe water. Sun Lakes Foundation 2000 501(c)3 non-profit often funds RCSL’s community service projects.  

Photo caption: RCSL members gathering at Casa Blanca Community School on the Gila River Indian Community