Committee Pages

Community Projects

 

Special Day for Special Kids – Each year in March, approximately 3,000 special needs children and their families from around the Valley are treated to a day of food and fun at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale.  Many organizations partner with our club to assist with this signature event that began in 1984.

 

Healthy Packs Food Program - Since May 2012, we have been a community partner in the effort to provide weekend food to children from south Scottsdale schools.  Working with Vista del Camino Community Center and Food Bank, club members have collected and packaged food throughout the school year.

 

Yavapai Elementary Back to School Project – Beginning in 2006, clothing, school supplies, and backpacks have been provided to Yavapai Elementary School in Scottsdale.  With over eighty percent of the students qualifying for free or reduced price lunches, Yavapai students have many challenges and community support is greatly needed and appreciated.  BHHS Legacy Foundation is a partner in this project, supplying 125 backpacks and $1,000 in matching funds.

 

Dictionaries to Third Graders – Our members deliver approximately 500 dictionaries to third grade classes in five Scottsdale schools.  A brief classroom presentation focuses on why our Rotary club wants students to have their very own dictionary to help them in school and beyond.  Even in the age of technology, a hard copy dictionary is welcomed in the classrooms we visit.  We have been distributing dictionaries since 2007.  Our effort is part of the national Dictionary Project sponsored by a not-for-profit organization based in South Carolina.

 

Bicycles for Pauite Neighborhood Center Holiday Program – Since 2011, we have purchased and assembled 25-30 bicycles for children whose families cannot afford to buy a bicycle as a holiday gift.  We believe that a bicycle is more than just a toy and serves as a source of exercise, recreation and transportation. To promote bicycle safety, a helmet is also provided.  A Rotary District Matching Grant assists with this project.  HandleBar Helpers Bike Shop partners with us to provide supervision during the assembly process.

 

Miracle League of Arizona – Over a multi-year period our club donated $25,000 to support the Miracle League’s baseball facility for special needs children and youth, including the funding for lines on the baseball field to assist visually impaired players.  Our support is recognized with a permanent banner in the infield.

 

Arizona StandDown – In 2104 a $1,000 donation was made to this program for homeless veterans.