Rotary Military Appreciation Day 2025 Phillip Souza 2024-10-30 07:00:00Z 0

The NEW Rotary Club of Surprise and Sun City West

HISTORY IN THE MAKING!
The Rotary Club of Surprise Combines With The Rotary Club of Sun City West! 
 
 
The newest Rotary club in Arizona will now be The Rotary Club of Surprise and Sun City West!   Here Kevin Pitts, the outgoing Governor of Rotary International District 5495, swears in the officers for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year! 
 
Congratulations to our new Board: (Right to Left) Traci Sawyer-Sinkbeil, President;  Jim Schlenvogt, President-Elect; 
Jesus Hernandez, Immediate Past President; Glenn Schmitt, outgoing president of Sun City West and now Officer; Ron Klaphake, Officer; Nancy Collins, Officer.
 
 
 
The NEW Rotary Club of Surprise and Sun City West 2024-06-25 07:00:00Z 0

Former Interact Students
 

Former Interact Students were recognized for their contribution to our Rotary Club.  They each gave an update on their post-high school education and plans for their future.  In addition, Francisco Olaiz, (second from right) was one of two recipients for the 2024-2025 George Wheeler Scholarship.  The other student is Zoey Vincze (not in the photograph).  Their former teacher and Youth Service Director, Jeri Robertson is third from left; President-Elect Traci Sawyer-Sinkbeil is at the far right.
 
Former Interact Students  2024-05-17 07:00:00Z 0

Interact Check Presentation
 

Youth Service Director Jeri Robertson (Left) was presented with a check by
President-Elect Traci Sawyer-Sinkbeil (Right) for the Arizona Charter Academy for their students' assistance at our 2023 Golf Tournament!  
 

 
Interact Check Presentation  2024-05-17 07:00:00Z 0

Phillip Souza

Congratulations to Phillip Souza, Treasurer and Chairperson of our Golf Committee, who was presented with The Paul Harris Fellow award for his generous donation.  His award and pin was given by President-Elect Traci Sawyer-Sinkbeil.
Phillip Souza 2024-05-17 07:00:00Z 0
A Mighty Change of Heart 2024-05-05 07:00:00Z 0

Paul Harris Award

Tonight, members Jon Cavaletto and Ron Klaphake received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award and pin!  This is given to members who donate a certain amount to The Rotary Foundation.  Ron received a pin containing 4 rubies representing a total giving of between $5,000 and $5,999; Jon received a pin with 3 rubies for donating between $4,000 and $4,999.   Each received a certificate for being a member of the Paul Harris Society.  Congratulations gentlemen!
 
(L to R) Director of Membership, Ron Klaphake; Director, Jon Cavaletto; President-Elect, Traci Sawyer-Sinkbeil; Secretary Pamela Kohnen.
Paul Harris Award 2024-04-23 07:00:00Z 0

Membership

Membership
On this historic evening, President-Elect, Traci Sawyer-Sinkbeil of The Rotary Club of Surprise, held a members' vote on merging our club with The Rotary Club of Sun City West.  The vote was unanimous among the members who were present.  During this meeting, Ron Klaphake inducted a new member, Nancy Estrada, into our group!  Welcome, Nancy! (L to R:  President-Elect, Traci Sawyer-Sinkbeil; Secretary Pamela Kohnen, Ron Klaphake, and Nancy Estrada.)
Membership 2024-04-23 07:00:00Z 0

Bean Bag
 

Members of the Rotary Club of Surprise had a fun time filling up donated bags of beans for the less fortunate.  At Rotary we get involved in all kinds of things to help people!
Bean Bag  2024-04-23 07:00:00Z 0

Phil Souza-Rotary Member of the Month

 

Congratulations to Phil Souza (right) who is our Rotary Member of the Month!  Jesus Hernandez (left), the President of our Rotary Club, is presenting a pin.
Phil Souza-Rotary Member of the Month  2024-04-14 07:00:00Z 0
Ron Klaphake-Member Spotlight 2024-04-14 07:00:00Z 0
Surprise Rotary Club Members Assist The Interact Kids! 2024-03-30 07:00:00Z 0

TRVFA

 
An Example of How One Rotary Club in Arizona is Helping to Make The World A Better Place!
By
John A.Yaeger
 
The Rotary Club of Surprise, Arizona, recently sponsored a student for a grant from The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona, Inc. (TRVFA).  This is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist candidates in obtaining financial assistance in furthering their vocational studies.  Grants are awarded up to $2,000 and paid directly to a school on behalf of the recipient.  In this recent case, we’ll call our beneficiary “Nikki” to protect her privacy.
 
Nikki lives in Surprise, Arizona with her husband and five children!  The last two were twins—born prematurely—and had to stay in the hospital for several weeks.  During her daily visits, she became friendly with many nurses.  Some were not only competent, and passionate, but formed a bond with Nikki as they joyfully took a personal interest in monitoring the health of her twins.  This experience had a profound influence on the young mother of five.  As a result, she set a new course that involved her passion for helping people.
 
Nikki participates in her church’s activities and helps those less fortunate parishioners by making extra food and taking it to them.  During my interview with her, it became clear that I was speaking with a community-minded, caring person.  She was under no illusions as to how much time and money was needed to invest in becoming a nurse, but still enquired about getting into this field.
 
The nurses caring for her babies explained the path for Nikki to become a nurse.  At this stage, she would have to attend a vocational school and become a Certified Nursing Assistant.  With that accreditation, she could start working in the medical field.  Nikki told me that she worked out a plan to take care of her family while she was at school: her husband worked flexible hours and they were on the cusp of finding a trusted, nearby babysitter for those in-between times.  Although this was still going to be a demanding schedule and school program, the entire family was “all in!” The school also understands the challenges and was accommodating by offering a flexible schedule which included weekends.
 
Nikki told me that the tuition for the vocational school was unaffordable for the six-week program.  With TRVFA we were able to help someone’s dream come true—and in a field that would enable her to help others.  This is what is commonly known as a “win-win!”  It was a good feeling for me to have played a small part in making this happen; a very good reason to be a proud member of The Rotary.
TRVFA 2024-03-26 07:00:00Z 0

Women 4 Women

The Women4Women in Surprise has a mission: To help homeless and low-income women maintain their dignity, self-respect, and health by distributing feminine hygiene products to those in need.  The Rotary Club of Surprise works with them periodically in an assembly line fashion to fill bags with these essential items to be distributed to individuals.  This event was organized by Jo Grant from the Women4Women organization.  
 
 
Women 4 Women 2024-03-26 07:00:00Z 0
Surprise Receives The Rotary Social Inter-Rotary Award 2024-03-26 07:00:00Z 0
The Rotary Club of Sun City Event 2024-03-17 07:00:00Z 0
Volunteering project at Valley View Community Food Bank 2024-03-17 07:00:00Z 0
The Rotary Club of Surprise Adopts a Street! John Yaeger 2024-03-09 07:00:00Z 0
Car Wash Fundraiser 2024-03-03 07:00:00Z 0
Adopt-a-Street Service Project.   John Yaeger 2024-03-03 07:00:00Z 0
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Phillip Souza 2024-03-03 07:00:00Z 0 SHP
District Governor, Kevin Pitts Visits Surprise Club Jesus Hernandez 2024-02-28 07:00:00Z 0
Rotary Club of Surprise- Social Dinner John Yaeger 2024-02-26 07:00:00Z 0

Women for Women

Rotarians helping supply Women for Women with feminine hygiene products before the monthly meeting at the Colonnade.
 
Women for Women 2024-01-26 07:00:00Z 0

Valley View Food Bank 

Surprise Rotarians Jon Cavaletto, Pamela Kohnen and Jim Schlenvogt hard at work at the Valley View Food Bank.
 
Valley View Food Bank 2024-01-26 07:00:00Z 0
Veterans Appreciation Ceremony at Grandview Terrace Jesus R Hernandez 2023-12-07 07:00:00Z 0
Golf Tournament John Yaeger 2023-11-19 07:00:00Z 0

Spreading Joy, One Can at a Time!

Posted by Jesus R Hernandez
Spreading Joy, One Can at a Time!
 
 
Fellow Rotarians Jon C. and Jim S. rolled up their sleeves and got to work at Valley View Community Foodbank last Saturday, October 21st
Spreading Joy, One Can at a Time! Jesus R Hernandez 2023-10-23 07:00:00Z 0

Surprise GAIN Night

Posted by Jesus R Hernandez
Excitement was in the air as rotary members hosted a Rotary Club of Surprise Booth at last weekend’s Surprise G.A.I.N Night. 
 
 
Members were able to spread smiles on the faces of children who tested their luck and skills while learning about our club.  
 
Surprise GAIN Night Jesus R Hernandez 2023-10-23 07:00:00Z 0
Guest Speaker Cory Stangle, Executive Director of AZ 4 Kids Jesus R Hernandez 2023-10-21 07:00:00Z 0
Women4Women: Service Project Jesus R Hernandez 2023-09-28 07:00:00Z 0

Valley View Food Bank

Club members with our recent scholarship recipient volunteering at Valley View Food Bank. The club volunteers time every month to help the organization.
 
Valley View Food Bank Phillip Souza 2023-07-16 07:00:00Z 0
ACA Interact Club celebrates MLK Day Phillip Souza 2023-06-10 07:00:00Z 0

Member Social at Booty's

Club members get together at Booty's for their monthly social night out. Booty's is a long-time supporter of Rotary.
 
Member Social at Booty's 2023-05-30 07:00:00Z 0
Rotary Day of Service 2023 Phillip Souza 2023-05-20 07:00:00Z 0
10th Annual Golf Scramble: Fore! the Kids 2018-06-19 07:00:00Z 0 Coyote Lakes Golf Club,Fore! The Kids,Rotary Club of Surprise,Rotary Golf,Suprise Rotary Club
2017 Taste of Surprise Amanda Sanchez 2017-04-08 00:00:00Z 0

Surprise Rotary in the community

Rotary Club of Surprise in community news....

Benevilla has announced that it is a recipient of $4000 from the Surprise Rotary Club, a portion of the proceeds from the club’s Second Annual Taste of Surprise event held March 11, 2015.

Over 600 people attended the event, paying $25 for a chance to sample cuisine from local restaurants including that of Benevilla’s own Birt’s Bistro.

“Thanks to the Surprise Rotary for their community involvement and support of nonprofits like Benevilla,” said Birt’s Bistro Sr. Director of Food & Beverage Jeff Amperse, who has participated in this event since its inception. “This year’s event was a lot of fun. The food was great and so was the entertainment.”

The event featured samples from local restaurants, including Benevilla’s own Birt’s Bistro, West End Bar & Grill, Las Fuentes Mexican Grill & Bar, Booty’s Wings and Burgers, New York Pizza Department, The Captain’s Galley at Riverboat Bingo, Anacapa Restaurant, The Tree of Oil, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Yogurtini, Rita’s, The Links Neighborhood Grill, and Pepsi products.

A beer garden featuring samples of Crescent Crown’s Craft Beer and Golden Eagle Distributing wine tasting added to the festivities.

Event proceeds benefit Benevilla, The Surprise Rotary Club and Foundation, A New Leaf Foundation, and Homeless Youth Connection.

Surprise Rotary in the community Jen Powell 2015-04-29 00:00:00Z 0

Taste of Surprise

Posted by Amanda Sanchez on Jan 12, 2014

Image

Samples from Local Restaurants, 
Craft Beer Tasting by Crescent Crown Distributing, 
and Dan Reed & his Band

RiverBoat Bingo Hall
18300 W Bell Road
Surprise, AZ 85374
623.546.0077
5:30pm - 8:30pm
www.tasteofsurprise.com

 

Taste of Surprise Amanda Sanchez 2014-01-13 00:00:00Z 0
Your Tube - THIS IS ROTARY Ralph Wirebaugh 2013-01-11 00:00:00Z 0

Rotary Club donates $200

Posted by Charlene Patti Bisson
Foundation gives
$200 to police


The Surprise Rotary Club Foundation board agreed to give $200 to the Surprise Police Department to buy candy for its community Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhood (GAIN) night.
Time and location are yet to be determined.
Rotary Club donates $200 Charlene Patti Bisson 0

What Is Rotary?

Posted by Ralph Wirebaugh
story thumbnail
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
What Is Rotary? Ralph Wirebaugh 0
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