The Rotaract Club of Springfield is always on the lookout for ways to reach out to those in need. Whether helping the Boys & Girls Town of Missouri get ready to go back to school, planning the kid’s annual Halloween party or fundraising through special events such as the annual Casino Night, members are constantly finding ways to live their mission of Rotary. The Club supports local youth by donating time and money each year to Boys & Girls Town and other area charities. They perform one community service project every month.
The Rotary Club of Springfield North continues to be one of the most active clubs in the district as they delivered 492 dictionaries to schools, provided milk for snack time for kindergarteners, delivered Thanksgiving Baskets to needy families, providing $1000 for 3 beautification projects, donations to multiple organizations, as well as a DSG to create a “Play Therapy” counseling center project for a local non-profit. The Springfield North club has continued to dominate the annual Rotary Community Blood Drive competition between all of the Springfield clubs over the Christmas Holiday when blood donations are at their lowest.
The Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise presented a check for $4,500 for the new Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Children’s Hospital. Proceeds will be used to purchase appliances and other equipment. They also are having a school supply drive for the Regional Girls Shelter and are also scheduled to have a Spring Cleanup at the facility in March. The Child Advocacy Center is also the beneficiary of “High Stakes Chili” fundraiser, which Sunrise provides many volunteers.
At the Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast, they have implemented an innovative education program to continue the education started with the Don’t Meth With Us for 5th graders. They have partnered with the club sponsored Interact Club at Glendale High School, to expand the program to all Springfield 7th graders. Interact students and Rotarians go in together, with the students providing a fun and interactive “Drug Jeopardy” game. Prizes are given to both winners and losers of the game. The Southeast Annual World Community Service auction was held in February and although final numbers are not in, they project over $10,000 to go to international projects.
All the Springfield clubs are going together this year to sponsor the Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s Good Morning Springfield Event to promote Rotary to the business community. The meeting will highlight to Springfield Business Leaders the work Rotary does both locally and internationally.