Welcome to the Rotary Club of La Crescent

Are you a passionate volunteer who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

Pints for Polio

Posted by Monica Holman on Oct 14, 2019

Join Us

iFeed 2019 is on Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 8am-Noon at Logan High School.

La Crecent Rotary is sponsoring a team. Sign up to Volunteer Here!

For more information on iFeed, or to sponsor a meal packing team, e-mail iFeedlax@gmail.com or visit RotaryiFeed.org.

How Can YOU Help iFeed?

Bring non-perishable food items to donate. Or make a larger impact and organize a food drive in your school, neighborhood, place of business, or place of worship. Then bring the donations to iFeed on November 2 to Logan High School and be a part of the season's largest food drive!

Thank You!

iFeed is an event where over 100,000 dried meals are packed, and made ready for shipment to a country where children are hungry. It's also a one-day-all-Coulee-Region (and beyond!) food drive to fill area pantries. Food collected at iFeed is delivered to the Hunger Task Force, which distributes to any area food pantry, large or small, that is in need. Contact Hunger Task Force directly for deliveries.

iFeed is a joint service project of: Seven area Interact Clubs and the La Crosse Area Rotary Clubs as an extension of Rotary Lights food collections

Rotary Youth Exchange Cultural Celebration

Posted by Bob Spencer on Oct 01, 2019

The second Youth Exchange Cultural Celebration will take place on Thursday, November 7^th, 5:30-8:30 pm and is hosted by the Coulee Region Youth Exchange Council (CRYEC)! We are asking you to be an active partner in our mission to support the Youth Exchange students that spend their year in the Coulee Region by sponsoring our event.

The CRYEC has been hard at work planning an event that will give you a chance to learn about our Youth Exchange students and their home countries. The students have hand-picked recipes that represent their culture and are working with local chefs to let you sample their “comfort food.” It will be held at the La Crosse Club, to ensure an intimate setting and allow you an opportunity to interact with the students. We’ve set a fundraising goal of $5,000 for this event.

We have students from Austria, Brazil, Germany and Hungary this year. As part of their year with our Rotary Clubs, they’re given great opportunities to travel around the United States. Funds raised from this event will assist the students with paying for the two week trip in June. Most students take on odd jobs as they spend the year to assist with their fundraising. Our event will allow them to focus on their experience with our clubs instead of figuring out how to raise the funds on their own.

Hosting this event is very exciting for the CRYEC, as it’s one of a kind. We hope you will consider being part of our success through a sponsorship. Information regarding available sponsorship opportunities and marketing benefits at each level are enclosed. We would be honored to have your confidence and partnership.

The Rotary Works Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. If you have any questions or would like to become a sponsor, please don’t hesitate to contact us at couleeregionyec@gmail.com. We look forward to speaking with you more regarding your participation.

Youth Exchange Cultural Celebration Sponsorship Levels

West Coast - $300

Includes: Name/Logo printed in event program and on digital slide show, one event ticket and verbal recognition during the event.

The West Coast trip is the prime trip to go on for Youth Exchange students. It includes Disneyland, California Adventure Park, Rodeo Drive, the Kodak Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stopping at Universal Studios, as well as the attractions at the unique Santa Monica Pier, and San Francisco, the students stay busy! But, that’s not all, they also see the Grand Canyon, experience outdoor activities at Yosemite Park and spend a fun day at San Diego's Mission Beach. There are two full coach busses full of students that make memories to last a lifetime.

East Coast - $200

Includes: Name/Logo printed in event program and on digital slide show and one event ticket.

The East Coast tour starts with a visit to Independence Hall in Philadelphia. From there the students go to Washington DC and see the White House, the US Capitol, and many of the monuments. Niagara Falls, Six Flags amusement park, and the wonderful and diverse city of Boston are also on the agenda. Students get to walk through the concrete jungle of New York City and experience the United Nations Headquarters, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, a Broadway show and much more! One final stop in Seaside Heights, New Jersey to try their luck on the boardwalk rounds out a busy two weeks of new experiences.

Grand Rapids - $100

Includes: Name and Logo printed in event program.

Grand Rapids, MI is where the students end their experience with Central States Rotary Youth Exchange. They share a few days with the other inbound students who just lived a year they’ll never forget, with the outbound students who are gearing up for their year abroad. This visit to Michigan signifies a year spent in a new country and the sharing and finalizing of those memories.

If you'd like to attend, please see our event information by clicking on this link

Sincerely,

Youth Exchange Cultural Celebration Planning Committee

Smell The Beautiful Roses

Posted by Eileen Krenz on Sep 13, 2019

Its that time of year again, an opportunity to share the gift of Roses in our Community.

The Rotary Club of La Crescent is selling roses again this year as a fundraiser for support of our programs. Roses are on sale now, and will be delivered on Wednesday, Oct 23. We will be purchasing the flows from Bauer's Market again this year, and the bouquets are getting an extra special touch.

Roses are $20 per dozen, and can be delivered anywhere in the LaCrosse/LaCrescent Area. Orders need to be in to Eileen by Friday, Oct 11. Please see Eileen with any questions!

The public can order roses by emailing LaCrescentRotary@gmail.com

Avenues of Service 2019

Posted by Bob Spencer on Aug 13, 2019

The 2019 Avenues of Service were held at the La Crescent Area Event center. It was a wonderful night celebrating Rotary in our community. It is also a fundraiser for our local Rotary Works Foundation, and supports all the good work it does. Check out the photo album and award winners below

photoalbums/avenues-of-service-2019

Lifetime Achievement Award: Lifetime Achievement award is given to a Rotarian who best demonstrates a commitment to Rotary's Four Way Test and the Object of Rotary. Someone who demonstrates high ethical standards in his/her business or profession, and who is committed to the ideal of service in his/her personal, business and community life.

Past Lifetime Achievement Recipients: 2007 Jack Haase; 2008 Natalie Hartigan; 2009 Mac Dahl (deceased); 2010 Pat Stephens; 2011 Dean Dickinson; 2012 Mike Klug; 2013 Elmer Grassman and Pat Smith; 2014 Dick Spencer and Dick Wieser; 2015 Dirk Gasterland and Phil Quillin; 2016 Brad Quarberg and Bill Pritchard; 2017 Dean McHugh; 2018 Leo Chaput and Chuck Hanson;
2019 David Amborn

Rotary Rising Star Award: Rotary Rising Star award is given to a Rotarian who best demonstrates a commitment to Rotary's Four Way Test and the object of Rotary. Among the criteria considered will be length of time in Rotary (a minimum of 2 years but not more than 5 years); a strong commitment to Rotary and its programs; someone who demonstrate high ethical standards in hi/her business or profession, and who is committed to the ideal of service in his/her personal, business and community life.

Past Rising Star Recipients: 2014 Johnny Brevik & Arien O'Heron; 2015 Matt Boshcka; 2016 Justin Garvey; 2017 Natalie Olsen and Spencer Niebur; 2018 Julie Nelson;

2019 Sarah Arendt-Beyer and Jeff Sexauer.

Rotarian of the Year Award: Each club will select one of its members to receive the Rotarian of the Year award. Rotarian of the Year award is given to a Rotarian who has given exceptional service to Rotary International and/or to the Rotarian's club or to the community in the name of Rotary.

2018-19 Rotarians of the Year
Sherry Sime - Rotary Club of Caledonia
Dave Ebner - Rotary Club of La Crescent
Laura Lee - Rotary Club of La Crosse After Hours
Lee Rasch - Rotary Club of La Crosse
John McKenzie - Rotary Club of La Crosse East
Keli Frigo - Rotary Club of La Crosse Valley View
Sandy Kjome - Rotary Club of Onalaska Hilltopper
Scott Marshall - Holmen Rotary Club
Kendra Garbrecht - Rotary Club of Onalaska

Rotary Avenue of Service Awards: Five Avenues of Service Awards (one in each category) are presented annually to club projects that best exemplify Rotary ideals in the five avenues of service: Club Service, Community Service, International Service, Vocational Service and New Generations.

2018-19 Award Winners

Club Service
Service Auction - Holmen Rotary Club

Community Service
Military Lounge at La Crosse Airport - Rotary Club of La Crosse

International Service
Vision Exams for Nicaraguan Immigrants in Costa Rica - East

New Generations
Extra Effort Award Recognition Program - Rotary Club of La Crosse

Vocational
STRIVE - Holmen Rotary Club

Special Recognition was given to the Coulee Region Youth Exchange Council for its work to collaborate improve the youth exchange experience in the Coulee Region

Congratulations to all the evening's award recipients.