Rotary Club of Soldotna, Alaska Welcomes You to Our Website!
Service Above Self
We meet Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Addie Camp
Addie Camp
43550 Whistle Hill Loop
Soldotna, AK 99669
United States of America
Soldotna, AK 99669
United States of America
District Site
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Venue Map
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Soldotna Rotarians are a special type of Rotarian! Here are stories of local Rotarians and why Rotary is their organization of choice.
Rotarian: Jess Gutzwiler
Jess grew up on a registered Angus beef farm in Eastern South Dakota. As a farmer's daughter, she learned a strong work ethic, love for the land, and the desire to get out of South Dakota. Jess went to college at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD where she was very active in their broadcasting and theatre program as well as a full-time volunteer at Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. After graduation, Jess worked in broadcasting until the opportunity to take a job in Alaska presented itself. In July of 2007, Jess packed up her 4Runner and hit the Alcan. Jess worked for Wells Fargo Financial until 2010, when at Wells Jess met her husband, Aaron. Jess moved directions in her career and worked for the American Cancer Society and managed most of their largest fundraising efforts for 8 years. During that time Jess became involved in Rotary and found her Alaskan Family. Jess was Club President in 2016-17 for Anchorage South Rotary Club and became a ShelterBox Ambassador in 2018. She went on to become a Pacific Northwest Training Leader from 2017 to 2020, District Sponsorship Chair for PDG Diane Fejes conference as well as DG Chery's conference. In 2018, Jess made the career change to Advanced Oncology Associates where she is the Practice Representative. Her day-to-day varies wildly, but that is what Jess loves most about her job, it's always changing and presents new challenges. In 2021 Jess, Aaron, and their beloved micro mini-pig, Spank, moved to Clam Gulch, a long-term dream of theirs. In July of 2021, Jess became a member of the Soldotna Rotary Club and the Assistant Governor for the Kenai Peninsula/Kodiak Area Rotary Club.
Mike Tauriainen became a SRC member in 1979. During his 43 years of being a rotarian, Mike has done many wonderful things. That is why it was a very easy choice to make when the SRC board was presented to make Mike an Honorary Member. Honorary membership is the highest distinction that a club can bestow and is used to recognize rotarians who have distinguished themselves by living by the motto of service above self and embodying Rotary ideals.
During his time as a Rotarian Mike has served this club and has had a lasting impact on our committee. Every December our club auctions off many different items for the Empty Stocking Fund that was created by Mike. In honor of Mike and all the families he has helped through the empty stocking fund the club has decided to officially name change the name to the Mike Tauriainen Empty Stocking Fund. From the entire SRC thank you Mike!
Thank you to KSRM for finding out two of our wonderful Rotarians received recognition from the Governor's office for their volunteer efforts. President Charlene and Rotarian Kathy were both recognized yesterday at First Lady's Volunteer of the Year event. Congratulations to both of you! You are a shining example of Service Above Self!
Due to PETS being virtual this year, it gave the club an opportunity to come together and watch the Saturday Keynote speaker RI PE Jennifer Jones together along with Kenai River Rotary & Kenai Rotary.
Bell ringing helps people remember that there are people in their neighborhoods who won't have a Christmas without their help." Since its beginnings in San Francisco in 1891, the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign has become one of the most visible community holiday fundraisers nationwide. Soldotna Rotarians gather every year to support the kettle by volunteering to ring the bell for two days. There is a friendly competition among area clubs to raise the most money. Soldotna Rotary does not yet know if we've won, but we're hopeful!
Soldotna Rotarians, joined with a couple of Kenai Rotarians, had a work day on September 25, 2021 in the cold, snowy weather to help work on houses for families in the RuralCap program.
Don’t miss the Art Park in Soldotna Creek Park, where you’ll find a fantastic curated exhibit contained in two 4’ by 8’ weatherproof displays. Each side of each display contains a panel of art. You might see locally created fine art or the works of artists from around Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
https://www.alaska.org/guide/how-to-see-the-soldotna-murals
Rotarian Allen Auxier returned home from a Rotary meeting earlier this month to find a flock of very pink flamingos in his yard. He quickly deduced Rotarian Brian was the mischief maker behind the flocking!
Soldotna Rotarians come together to be of service to their communities. In the history of the Club, it has never been so difficult to act upon our desire to work with others to better our community. Although 2020 has provided some major hurdles, this Thanksgiving was reminiscent of the past events with laughter, fellowship, and service.
Soldotna Rotary Club challenges area Rotarians to provide socks to those experiencing homelessness or near homelessness by collecting socks through the month of October.
Congratulations to each of District 5010's 2019-2020 "Bronze Level" Shelter Box Rotary Clubs.
Each Shelter Box can completely sustain for months a family that has lost everything when disasters such as storm and earthquake strike.
It's one of the least expensive, easiest, and most personal and direct ways to help stricken families across the globe.
Joe Kashi
District 5010 Governor
2020-2021
Congratulations to the Rotary Clubs of :
Anchorage Hillside
Anchorage South
E-Club of District 5010
Fairbanks Downtown
Fairbanks Golden Heart
Homer-Kachemak Bay
Juneau
Petersburg
Seward
Soldotna
Susitna
The Soldotna Rotary Club completed their first of 3 road clean ups. Check out the publicity we go from Radio Kenai!
Soldotna Rotary Club came together with the Kenai Peninsula School District and the Students in Transition to provide backpacks with basic necessities and an invitation for mentorship with a Rotarian.
The Kenai River Interact, the 12-18 year old, youth program of Soldotna Rotary Club has had a busy year! They believe strongly in service above self.
On Thanksgiving day, the Salvation Army's basement fills with the smell of turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. Thanks to the effort by Soldotna Rotarians and Kenai River Interactors, those without get a home cooked meal.
Soldotna Rotary is looking for students in either their sophomore or junior year of high school that are looking for an adventure! We are actively seeking open-minded, flexible students who demonstrate leadership qualities to receive scholarships for study for a year in a foreign country. Applicants must have high moral standards that will enable them to become excellent cultural ambassadors for their country and the Rotary club and district that supports them. District 5010 Rotary Youth Exchange provides students ages 15 to 17 with an opportunity to travel to a foreign country and experience the culture while serving as an ambassador for their home country.
We are also looking for interested families willing to open their home to an incoming student from another country.
Hosting a student can be an extremely rewarding experience for everyone in the family, yet it is a role that requires a lot of responsibility. The hosting period is typically 3 - 4 months.
Host families are to meet the following expectations:
- Before the student arrives establish communication with the student.
- Understand the program rules the student must follow.
- Know how to contact key Rotarians involved in Youth Exchange in case of an emergency.
- During the exchange provide a safe and welcoming environment for trust and friendship to develop between the student and your family.
- Support and make the student feel like a part of the family, with the same privileges and obligations.
Soldotna Rotary was introduced in person with their new daughter from Brazil, Victoria. Victoria is a vibrant and exciting exchange student that will provide Soldotna Rotarians more opportunities to work with youth as well as the ultimate goal of bringing peace to the world. Welcome Victoria!
District 5010 participates in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. With the support of the D5010, Soldotna Rotary Club is proud to be a participating Club in the Youth Exchange Program!
Soldotna Rotarians joined forces to build planters for Ninilchik and Soldotna Senior Centers. This was a local project that required ingenuity and patience in order to get all of the supplies and coordinate with the local senior centers. They can now use these planters therapeutically as well as practically!
It is important for our Soldotna Rotarians to make it to meetings. It is especially important to a Rotarian that has over 30 years of perfect attendance, Mike Sweeney.
Pictured from left to right: Chuck Cook, Dave Peterson, Chris Hough, Allen Auxier, Gary Hinkle, Joe Kashi, David Wartinbee, and Mike Sweeney. Photo credit: Merrill Sikorski
Every year, Soldotna Rotarians donate their time and skills to cook salmon for the residents of Heritage Place, their care givers, and staff. Rotarian, Dave Wartinbee leads the charge organizing the volunteers. It takes weeks of organization, but each year is a smashing success.
Check out this link from the Peninsula Clarion for more information:
The Soldotna Rotary Club, in partnership with the Soldotna ARTSpace, and the City of Soldotna, worked diligently to install an avenue for aspiring artists to showcase their work to the public.
Rotary Foundation approves targeted funds for Pakistan and Ukraine
Rotary Foundation approves targeted funds for Pakistan and
Life during wartime: a frontline report
As the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approached, a firsthand account shows how Rotary members are responding to this humanitarian crisis.
Rotary projects around the globe - February 2023
Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Bolivia, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Malaysia.
Remembering Jewish Salonica
Albert Bourla's story of how his parents survived the Holocaust provides a vivid picture of the Jewish experience in Thessaloniki. His story has important lessons today for all of us in our very troubled world.
Second woman nominated as Rotary International president
Second woman nominated as Rotary International presidentEVANSTON, Ill. (January 24, 2023) — Stephanie Urchick, member of the Rotary Club of McMurray, PA, USA, will become the second woman to take office as president of
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