The Elmbrook Rotary Club currently has eighty members with a mix of newer and experienced Rotarians with a broad range of vocations. What is “Service Above Self” as it relates to the mission of Rotary? It is the guiding principle where members are encouraged to focus on serving their communities locally and globally. The motto conveys the idea that personal success is more closely tied to helping others than what you do for yourself.
Over this past year the Elmbrook Rotary has participated in many volunteer opportunities, projects and fundraising for the non-profit organizations we support locally and internationally. Here is a synopsis of some of our “Service Above Self” activities.
Eighteen members volunteered their time to tutor one or two kids per week at the 95th Street School, while others have spent time cleaning up discarded items along Greenfield Avenue and a walking/bike trail in Brookfield. Some spent time on Saturdays this summer and fall collecting donated produce items from vendors at the end of the day at the Brookfield Farmers Market. These food items were then given to the Waukesha Food Pantry to help others in a time of need.
At the Wellpoint Care Network, Rotarians read books to one hundred kids, provided Holiday gifts for 120+ Foster Kids, built nine accessibility garden beds that were filled with flowers by the St. Mary Margret School students, and passed out water filter systems including lead paint test kits at their Annual Back to School Bash.
During the year, the club collected 1108 books for Literary Services of Wisconsin, assisted in the Bikes for Veterans event, and supported the Veterans in Focus program at the VA Medical Center photo display.
At the Woman’s Center in Waukesha, volunteers had the opportunity to paint bedrooms… giving the residents a brighter place to stay in their time of need.
Our annual fundraiser and, first ever Family Fest, provided the club with funding to support 13 of the non-profit organizations the club has developed close relationships with over the years.
Other volunteer opportunities included the German Holiday Market in Brookfield where the club sponsored Hayrides, serving food at the Boys Scouts Airtoberfest at the Waukesha County Airport, assisting during the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra tryouts, serving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House for families who are there to be near their child while they receive medical care at Children of Wisconsin Hospital.
Two special projects were the Brookfield Wirth Park Inclusive Playground and the Guatemala Water Project. These projects serve communities locally and internationally.
Each year club members ventures to Guatemala to assist in building homes in conjunction with Common Hope. There are also a number of members who have sponsored students and join them for their High School graduation ceremonies in fall.
An important part of Rotary is the camaraderie amongst its members through our service, informative presentations at club meetings, and social interaction at our events.
We look forward to next year’s challenges, and service opportunities. If you are interested in learning more about the Elmbrook Rotary Club, visit our website at www.elmbrookrotary.org, or join us at the St. Camillus – East Residence Tower Friday mornings at 7:00am for our weekly breakfast meeting.
