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We are proud to be a part of Rotary International. The Soldotna Rotary Club embodies the motto of “Service Above Self.” We have a long history in our community, and this year, we look to continuing our efforts to make it a fantastic place to live and play. Our homepage contains some of our service projects and events - please browse the site and look up Soldotna Rotary Club on Facebook. Additionally, you can find out about our speakers and when they will be at our Club meeting. Want to share knowledge or information, please contact our Vice-President to get on the speaker list!

Soldotna Rotarians are excited to welcome all visitors, and we hope that you can join in the fun! If you're a visiting Rotarian, we would love to have you at our luncheon, and if you would like to find out more about becoming a member, please feel free to email anyone on the Board for more information. You can also contact our Membership Chair at any time. Make sure to take a peak at our brochure about how to become a member and see if we are the right Club for YOU! We know we are, but we want to make sure you do too!

RI President-elect Holger Knaack’s theme for 2020-21, Rotary Opens Opportunities, asks Rotarians to create opportunities that strengthen their leadership, help put service ideas into action, and improve the lives of those in need.

Soldotna Rotarians are a special type of Rotarian! Here are stories of local Rotarians and why Rotary is their organization of choice.

Rotarian: Merrill Sikorski-

I’ve been a member of the Rotary Club of Soldotna since June of its charter year 1979. I joined because Fred Chambers an Alaskan legend asked me to speak of my travels to the former U.S.S.R. he then asked me to join and seeing Fred was my hero said yes not knowing a thing about Rotary. Over the last 41 years my life, my thinking, my giving has been molded by Rotary. My signature program “Caring for the Kenai” was molded after Rotary principles. To this day I believe Rotary is the best model for world peace. I became a photo journalist for the Dispatch in the nineties and covered hundreds of events that our Rotary Club participated in. I like being behind the lens not in front of it

5 Ways to End Polio

Soldotna Rotarians Celebrate Thanksgiving 2020 Style

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.

Sock it to October

Soldotna Rotary Club challenges area Rotarians to provide socks to those experiencing homelessness or near homelessness by collecting socks through the month of October.

RIGS 2019

Soldotna Rotarians care about students and their ability to maintain proficiency in reading through the summer months. Through partnership with local schools, Soldotna Rotary supports students as the are encouraged to read during the months away from school so they don't lose the important skills needed when school starts back in the fall. This project is ongoing and is one of our longest literacy programs.

Shelter Box 2020

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

Rotarians Care About the Environment

The Soldotna Rotary Club completed their first of 3 road clean ups. Check out the publicity we go from Radio Kenai!

http://www.radiokenai.net/2019-rotary-road-spring-trash-clean-up/

Backpacks for Students in Transition

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.

Kenai River Interact Service Update

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.

Soldotna Rotarians and Kenai River Interactors Working Together

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.

Youth Exchange Students and Host Families

https://youtu.be/pspgla9pyfg

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.

Victoria and President Dan Exchange Flags

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!

Rotary Youth Exchange has Arrived

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!

Senior Center Planters

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!

Soldotna Rotarians at D5010 Conference

Soldotna Rotarians joined the D5010 District Conference held in Seward, AK May 17-20, 2018.

2017 Foundation Dinner

Posted on May 22, 2017

2017 Road Clean Up

Soldotna Rotarians gather each spring and fall to clean the road on Spur Hwy. This year was no different. Rotarians gathered and cleaned up the road along a mile stretch of the Spur Hwy.

Soldotna Rotary Plans International Literacy Project

Posted on Jan 25, 2017

Rotarians Make Up Everywhere

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

Soldotna Rotarians Volunteer for Heritage Place

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:

http://peninsulaclarion.com/news/2016-05-22/heritage-place-serves-salmon-to-celebrate-salmon

Soldotna Rotary Arts Park Project

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.

Soldotna Rotary Club Supports D.A.R.E

The Soldotna Rotary Club continues to support the local D.A.R.E program. Ofc. Tobin Brennan is the D.A.R.E. instructor in the three local elementary schools. Yearly, Ofc. Brennan provides D.A.R.E education to 5^th graders and then provided a lock-in/graduation event. This year, Soldotna Rotary Club was able to provide the grand prize to the winning essay writer on why D.A.R.E is an important program and why it is important to them. D.A.R.E. is an important program in the community.

Soldotna Rotary Supports Art Space Program

By partnering with the Rotary Club of Soldotna, the City of Soldotna, the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses, Soldotna’s ARTSpace, Inc. is implementing a community-based public art program. Many of these projects result in regular exhibits and annual events intended to promote public art that enhances the Soldotna area in a manner that’s democratic and for the enjoyment of all.

Click here for more! http://peninsulaclarion.com/dispatch/2015-09-28/art-space-program-proceeds-for-artists

Soldotna Rotary Club Supports Student Summer Reading

Soldotna Rotarians joined forces with K-Beach Elementary, Soldotna Elementary, and Sterling Elementary to encourage students to read through the summer months. This fall the schools joined with Rotarians to recognize those students that read this summer.

District 5010 Conference

The Soldotna Rotary Club was well represented at the District 5010 Conference held in Girdwood this year. We represented our Club, our members, our projects, and our fundraising.

Outbound Youth Exchange

To the Soldotna Rotary Club:

I just want to also say thank you to the whole club for first of all picking me and also helping me out with the support you guys gave to me. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, because this year has been the best year of my life so far and the memories will stay with me forever. So Thank you again.

~Anna

Super Bowl Board Seahawks v. Patriots

Did you buy a square this year?

Click the link above to check out this year's board!

11 eco-friendly service projects around the world

Through the years, Rotary has carried out thousands of projects to protect the environment.

How to talk to someone who is vaccine hesitant

Tips to have that talk

What is a vaccine cold chain?

The logistics of shipping and storing vaccines

$15.5 million gift will fund new Rotary Peace Center in Middle East or North Africa

The Otto and Fran Walter Foundation has pledged $15.5 million to The Rotary Foundation to start a Rotary Peace Center in the Middle East or North Africa.

Rotary and the U.S. Government support Italy's fight against COVID-19