Rotary Club of La Crosse
                              Valley View
       Onalaska, Wisconsin
 
VALLEY VIEW NEWSLETTER
May 3, 2026
 
Valley View Rotary meets Wednesdays at 7:30 am
Location: Onalaska YMCA, 400 Mason St.
Click on meeting link below to attend via zoom
Password: 469027

this week's meeting

la crossroads graduation

Special Congratulations to the 2026 Graduates!!

Maximus (Max) Blanchard

Coltin Pena

Michael Tauscher

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Hurkmans

Ernest (Ernie) Smith

Samuel (Sam) Miller

Zander Smith

 

 

Meeting Responsibilities for May:

Cindy Shireman - Greeter

Dana Alitz - Rooter

Brad Teske - Inspiration

Win an e-bike for $10 - moon tunes fundraiser 

Rotary Club of La Crosse - Valley View and Smith’s Bike Shop have partnered with Beer By Bike Brigade to raise funds for future projects supported by Moon Tunes. A custom-painted adult Benno cargo bike, (valued at $5,200) designed by Cody Sanderson, will be raffled off. Entries can be submitted through the Beer By Bike Brigade’s FREE app.

 

moon tunes sign-up

“Many hands make light work”…and it's FUN!!

There is a link below but you can also get there by logging into Clubrunner and then click on “Volunteers” (under Events & Volunteering) and then click on the dates you want and sign - up (more coming soon!)

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mobile meals

Our club is delivering meals and we need volunteers

May 25 - May 31

Sign up on the link below

host familes needed - rotary youth exchange

- Holmen Rotary: Seeking second and third host families within the Holmen School District. Specific student information is not yet available.
  - Rotary After Hours: Seeking three host families in the La Crosse Central or Logan districts for a 16-year-old boy from Argentina. He has good English skills and enjoys music and sports.
  - Valley View: Seeking second and third host families in the West Salem School District for a 16-year-old boy from Germany. He speaks good English and is interested in sports and theater.

Interested parties should contact Nancy Schmidt nkschmidt4965@gmail.com 

Working together to insure high levels of learning for all

Onalaska School  District is embarking on the creation of their new strategic plan to set the course for the future of the school district. They are looking for residents of the Onalaska community that value the importance of education. Valley View Rotarians are invited and encouraged to participate as volunteers .

There will be a facilitated process with dozens of stakeholders on Monday May 4th from 4-7pm and on Tuesday May 5th from 8-3pm at the Middle School.  

Anyone who has an interest should contact fellow Rotarian Ben Barton    barton.benjamin@onalaskaschools.com

Kabara Cancer research institute Tours

Led by Dr. Paraic Kenny, the Kabara team applies genomics, molecular biology, and translational research to drive advances in solid tumor oncology — from biobank-scale discovery to clinical precision medicine. Kabara is located in the Health Science Building on the UWL campus, 1300 Badger St., La Crosse, Wi 54601

Kabara Cancer Research Center will be holding tours this summer. Valley View Rotary members are welcome to attend.   The tour schedule: 

May 7th 10 am - 11 am                                                                       June 10th 2 pm to 3 pm 

To sign up for one of the tours please contact club member Monica Herman  monica.herman@gundersenhealth.org                 direct 608-775-8472 cell 608-863-1871

What is RYLA?

Established as a Rotary Structured Program in 1971, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. The Rotary District 6250 RYLA program is a camp designed to build future leaders and Rotarians who exemplify the four way test:

  • Is it the Truth?
  • Is it fair to all concerned?
  • Will it build good will and better friendships?
  • Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Where and when does RYLA happen?

RYLA is held at Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center located in Wisconsin Dells. Dates: May 8-10, 2026

Who can participate?

Each year Rotary Clubs can sponsor sophomores from local high schools to attend. We've designed our program for sophomores and one of our top goals is for those students to go back to their schools and communities to put what they learn at RYLA to work for their last two years of high school!

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  • Rotary Works Foundation
The Rotary Works Foundation was founded in 1982 with the purpose of awarding grants for local and international activities. Through generous gifts from area Rotary Clubs (including VVR) and others, the Foundation makes a difference in the quality of life in our area and the world. 
2025/2026 Grantees:
 
March 2026
  • La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium - Creating Connections program (with Alda Center)       
February 2026
  • La Crosse - Bantry Friendship Association - Jack & Kathy Lucey --Family Alzheimers Fund - robotic therapy dogs
  • River City Running Club - La Crosse Youth Track Club
  • Immanuel Lutheran Church, Caledonia - Summer Eats Program
  • Holmen Area Community Center - Tables
  • Caledonia School District - 7th Grade Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center trip
January 2026
  • Parenting Place - Diaper Bank
November 2025
  • YMCA - Holiday Food Box project

You can also register on their website - https://madisonwestmidrotary.org/ 

Speakers
May 06, 2026
La CrossRoads Graduation
May 13, 2026
Classification Presentation
May 20, 2026
Western Technical College Update
May 27, 2026
Classification Presentation
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Susan Hengel
May 8
 
Steph Fraase
May 16
 
Sarah Huber
May 23
 
Bill Shepherd
May 24
 
Rolan Covert
May 28
 
Anniversaries
John Lyche
May 12
 
Join Date
Tom Byerly
May 1, 2010
16 years
 
Sue Weidemann
May 8, 1991
35 years
 
Cinthia Shireman
May 11, 2022
4 years
 
Alissa Haines
May 15, 2025
1 year
 
Steve Christiansen
May 15, 2002
24 years
 
Keli Frigo
May 28, 2003
23 years
 
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Rotary Works
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Youth Exchange Officer
 
Immediate Past President
 
Public Image Chair
 
Membership
 
Welcome to Valley View Rotary!
Wednesdays at 7:30 AM
R.W. Houser Family YMCA - Onalaska
400 Mason St
Onalaska, WI 54650
United States of America
Join us on Zoom if unable to meet with us in person. https://laxymca-org.zoom.us/j/81822994924?pwd=ZzlVeHZoOUdXeGZwSkx Password 469027 Check the schedule as holidays, social events or off-site meetings can alter our regular meeting time or place.