The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has registered 1000 children in Surprise, El Mirage and surrounding areas. However, Ron Klaphake has confirmed they have capped enrollment here until additional funding is found. Congratulate Ron Klaphake and his team (Jesus Hernandez, Debbie Thompson, Nancy Collins and John Yaeger) in bringing early childhood literacy to this part of the Valley with this extremely popular program.
“Unite for Good” – Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Month
Hello, Fellow Rotarians!
As the calendar turns to March, we find ourselves at a beautiful intersection of seasons. In many parts of the world, we are witnessing the first signs of spring, in Arizona we are reminded of the approach of summer—a natural reminder of renewal, growth, and fresh perspectives. This month, Rotary International focuses on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). It’s a time to reflect on how fundamental clean water is to every other goal we pursue. Without it, health fails, education is interrupted, and local economies stagnate.
This month, I encourage every person to:
Reflect on the freshwater systems that sustain our community.
Explore service projects that protect or improve access to clean water, including picking up trash; so that it does not enter our waterways and sewers.
Share your stories with neighbors and within the Rotary Districts to inspire collective action.
Be aware of Grace Agaba, our Club member from Uganda, who has a need for a water system repair in her Uganda community.
What’s Blooming this Month:
WASH Awareness: We are currently evaluating new partnerships to improve local water infrastructure. Clean water shouldn't be a luxury; it’s a human right.
Member Spotlight: Let’s take a moment to celebrate the newer faces in our club. Their fresh energy is the "spring rain" that keeps our organization thriving.
March 10, 2026 – Relocated Club Meeting from the Colonnade to the Rotary Sun City Club for the - Three Joint Clubs’ Dinner/ Fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 PM, Location: Royal Oaks – Inspirata Pointe, 10015 W. Royal Oak Rd, Sun City, AZ.
March 14, 2026 – Cleanup starts at 10:00 AM – Adopt-a-Street – N. Parkview Place from Paradise Lane to Greenway, (south of the Surprise Post Office) – Contact Jesus H. for volunteering.
March 21, 2026 – Valley View Community Food Bank – Monthly Packing Event – 9;30 to 11:30 AM.
MARCH 24, 2026 - WOMEN4WOMEN PACKING PROJECT– JO GRANT 4:30-5:30 PM/ SPEAKER –DEBBIE LESKO - COUNTY COMMISSIONER- 2026 and Beyond Maricopa County Projects
Other Upcoming Events:
APRIL 25, 2026 - TOS & ARTS FESTIVAL/ (Rotary Hours) 2:00 to 9:00 PM/ SURPRISE BASEBALL STADIUM. We need ALL Rotary Members to Volunteer for this Event. Remember the profits will go to the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Project and help over 1,000 pre-kindergarten Surprise children to learn to read. To signup, please go to the event website:
May 1-2 STATE ANNUAL DISTRICT 5495 ROTARY CONFERENCE – SHERATON MESA NEAR THE CUBS SPRING TRAINING FACILITIES – “BACK TO THE FUTURE”. Early bird registration is closing soon! I encourage you all to attend to exchange ideas with neighboring clubs.
A Call to "Spring Clean" Our Goals
I challenge each of you this month to look at our club’s strategic goals. Are there projects that need a bit more cultivation? Are there ideas we’ve let go dormant that deserve a second look? As we move into the final quarter of this Rotary year, let’s finish strong, with the same passion that brought us to this organization in the first place. Thank you for all the "small acts" you perform daily that create a grand impact globally.
I returned from 3 days at PELS in LA with optimism and appreciation for Rotarians in our Districts. There were over 800 attendees including the PE's, and the discussions were helpful and informative. As I prepare to lead our club in 2026-2027, I am reminded how much I need all of us to join together in service if we are to continue to grow and thrive in our community.
Please consider chairing or serving on a committee or helping with preparations before meetings and volunteering at any of our many service projects.
We would benefit from a dedicated A/V person to manage Zoom and speaker presentations.
I look forward to continuing to build on the successes and programs we established this year and to identify opportunities for extending our reach even further and increasing our impact in the community.
Phil Souza
President Elect
February Happenings
Our February continuedwith informative and excellent programs and service opportunities.
On February 7, President Jim volunteered at the Valley View Community Food Bank.
On Feb 10 our own Jim Rumpeltes talked about his sketching and cartoon adventures. . We followed that up with our serving at the Feed my Starving Children event on Feb 21.
We also did a response packing event for Sound of Autism on Feb 24 .
Our Speaker that evening was Harvey Hess to tell us about Artificial Intelligence and how it will impact our lives as well as the lives of our children and grandchildren. It was extremely informative about the rapid changes going on in our society.
We also welcomed 2 new members: Mike Hohl a transfer from Colorado
and Melanie Yager
Our Club is growing by Leaps and bounds Gret Job Ron!.
News you can use:
Meals of Hope for 2026 has been scheduled for September 19 at the Ottawa University Faith Arena.
More information coming.
Remember the District Conference is in Mesa on May 1 and 2nd.
On June 14, we have the opportunity to raise more money for DPIL. The Arizona Rattlers are going to allow us to sell tickets to their 4:30 game to increase our ability to serve more children through our DPIL efforts.
Upcoming Events
Remember
Meals Available from the Bistro at the Colonnade before our meetings at 4:30 (Premeeting order).
The March 10 meeting is a joint meeting with the Sun City Club
FESTA ITALiANA
AT ROYAL OAKS
Presented by the Rotary Club of Sun City.
Dinner: $35 each (Children 5 and under Free)
Date: March 10, 2026 from 4:30 to 7:00 Cash Bar and Raffles open at 4:30. Dinner served promptly at 5:30.
Join us at:
Royal Oaks Retirement Community
10015 W Royal Oak Road
Sun City, Arizona
*Event is in the auditorium
**Parking available on Royal Oak Road
Menu
Hors d’oeuvres
Spaghetti with
Marinara Sauce
Meatballs
Bread
Salad
Beverages
Assorted Desserts
The March 24 Meeting will be at the Colonnade at 5:30 (social time at 5:00).
Our speaker will be Debbie Lesko our Maricopa County Supervisor and immediate past congressional representative.
The Zoom meeting link is:
Phillip Souza is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
The Club has the following Volunteer Opportunities coming up:
March 14 our Road cleanup starting at 10:00 AM North Parkview Place contact Jesus Hernandez for specific details.
March 21 our monthly Service Project at the Valley View Community Foodbank from 9:30 to 11:00. Food Bank is 10771 W. Peoria Ave, Sun City AZ
March 24 at 4:30 PM is our quarterly Women4Women packing event before the regular meeting at the Colonnade.
Taste of Surprise and Arts Festival
The Taste of Surprise & Arts Festival Has been scheduled!
It will be April 25, 2026 at Surprise Stadium. We are looking for Sponsors, Restaurants, Volunteers, and general support. New news, the Surprise Car Club will be setting up a group of vintage cars outside the stadium.
Ron is pulling together a list of proposed sponsors and Rotarians who can go after those folks to help us in our DPIL funding efforts. The Web site of the Taste of Surprise is:
https://tasteof surprise.com
Please sign up to volunteer, buy tickets and refer your friends to the web site.
Contact Brian Laurie for more information.
For Those that haven't seen it there is a wonderful press release at the following link:
The Rotary E-Club of Southern Scotland, which recently started a virtual leadership development program that pairs Rotarians who are industry leaders with younger professionals
. We followed that up with our serving at the Feed my Starving Children event on Feb 21. 
