A few weeks ago we welcomed speakers from the Sustainability Club at Viterbo University, where they discussed our joint efforts on the "Sunflowers for Ukraine" fundraiser as well as the other sustainability activities pursued by the club. One of those activities is their collection of plastic bags for the purpose of weaving the bags into sleeping mats for the homeless. The Sustainability Club is holding a mat weaving event at Viterbo on Friday, April 17, from 2-4pm, so I have 2 requests:
Please bring your used plastic shopping bags to this week's meeting
We have room for 3-4 additional volunteers!
Please contact Shari Laffredi at 262-488-0021 or slaffredi@yahoo.com if you can join in this wonderful service project!
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.
Click on the video link below to watch the 2 minute AI video about Paul Harris and the founding of Rotary. Learn more about the man that started Rotary, the history and everything Rotary does.
Valley View Rotary Club will be sponsoring 1-2 students at this year's RYLA
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:
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 theirs schools and communities to put what they learn at RYLA to work for their last two years of high school!
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Save The Date!
Holmen Rotary Club's 18th Annual Service Auction
Friday evening May 1, 2026 - Social Hour starts at 5 pm - Live Auction at 6 pm
New Location - Celebrations on the River, 2100 Dawson Ave., La Crosse, Wi 54603
The Holmen Area Rotary Club will hold their Service Auction fundraiser on Friday Evening, May 1st at the luxurious Celebrations on the River on French Island. The event starts with a social hour at 5:00 and includes an appetizer buffet, a Live Auction of unique items and services, bucket raffles and more. Auctioneer Alex Goodman sets a fun and active pace for the evening. Live Auction items in the past have included gourmet cakes, airplane flights, sailboat excursions, weekend getaways, special dinners, grass cutting, car detailing and many, many more. Items will be listed on the website as they are announced. Tickets are only $40 Price of the ticket includes a fabulous hot appetizer bar and there will be a cash bar. Reserve a table and invite your friends! Event sponsorships are also available. Be a part of an exciting evening of fun, community, food, and auction to raise funds for Coulee Region Community needs. This event is our club's largest fundraising effort; it has been happening for 17 years and has raised over $300,000 that has been used to make our community and world a better place. For more info call Judy at 608-780-1628
Our republic was built on the core principles of democracy and the rule of law. But today, many are asking a difficult question: Are we losing touch with those founding ideals?
Local Rotarian Lee Rasch is the Executive Director of Leader Ethics. It is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to promoting ethical leadership in public office.
Learn more about the Call for Civil Discourse from the websites and video link below:
The Terry Bauer Moon Tunes Special Project Fund is administered by the Valley View Rotary Club. For more information and to apply for project funding, visit one of the websites below or click on the link at the bottom of this post.
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:
November 2025
YMCA - Holiday Food Box project
January 2026
Parenting Place - Diaper Bank
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
We are seeking host families in the West Salem School district for our high school age international exchange student Aug 2026-July 2027. The exchange period is split between 3 host families so about 3 1/2 months per family. This is a life enriching experience for both the host families and the student.
"Hosting pushes us outside the regular hum-drum of daily life. We are more likely to go to activities, visit cities, museums—all fun! And we appreciate learning about the student, their culture, and language." ~2024 La Crosse WI Host Family
Please contact Nancy Schmidt if you are interested in learning more or wish to refer a family member or friend: nkschmidt4965@gmail.com or 608-518-2666
TriCon brings together members from three Rotary International Districts: 6220, 6250, and 6270. These districts serve clubs in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a portion of Minnesota, and most of Wisconsin.
At TriCon, participants learn, are inspired, and grow through interactive workshops, plenary speakers, and networking opportunities. All this truly makes TriCon an outstanding Rotary conference experience.
Don't miss out on this lively, educational, and fun-filled Rotarian experience.
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.
