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.
Glenn Schmitt has issued a challenge - if each Rotarian would fund 10 children for a year ($320) that would go a long way to helping us meet this financial challenge. Glenn, Ron, Jim Schlenvogt, Mike Byers, Gerry Nosotti , Phil Souza and Ed& Sally Williamson have contributed and met this challenge, how about you!
As the year winds down and the holiday season envelops us, I hope this message finds you well, surrounded by warmth and cheer. December is a special time for reflection and recommitment to the ideals that unite us as Rotarians." The December Rotary theme is “DISEASE PREVENTION and TREATMENT”. In addition, all Rotarians have been encouraged to donate to the Rotary Foundation which includes your chance to donate to Rotary’s Polio Plus Program.
Looking back on 2025, I am incredibly proud of what our club has achieved. Our October Meals of Hope event packed 25,657 meals for the hungry at the Valley View Community Food Bank. In addition, the Club’s volunteers worked at the Food Bank, Women4Women packing event, and the Sounds of Autism networking event which will directly impact the surrounding community. In addition, the Club’s participation in the Military Appreciation Event and the Veterans Day Parade shows our compassion for our Veterans and their Families. This success is a testament to the collective power of Service Above Self in our community.
Our focus this month shifts to bringing joy to those less fortunate. The December 6th “Rotary Fore the Kids Golf Classic” will help raise funds for youth. In addition, due to the hard work of the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library committee and all of the Rotarians, the funds continue to be collected, the children’s enrollment has grown to 1,000 children and the books continue to be mailed to the qualified children. And of course, don't forget our much-anticipated CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION with the Peoria North and Sun City Rotary Clubs at the Briarwood Country Club for a time for us to celebrate our achievements and enjoy each other's company. This will include a dinner buffet, 50/50 drawing to benefits students, and a performance by the “HY REV” from the AZ Broadway Theater.
As we prepare for the New Year, our sights are set on engaging Service Projects, informative Club meetings with great speakers, and continuing the activities to prepare for the April 25, 2026, “ROTARY TASTE of SURPRISE and ARTS FESTIVAL”. The profits from this event will help support the DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION PROJECT and help deliver books to the area children. I urge everyone to return in January with renewed energy, ready to tackle these exciting challenges.
Thank you once again for embodying the Rotary spirit. May your holidays be filled with peace, laughter, and the love of family and friends. I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year, refreshed and ready for more
November was really busy for our club. As we went into the holidays, this club did not slow down.
On November 5, we sponsored and celebrated the 4th Annual Military Appreciation night at the Colonnade. This event was an awesome reminder that our freedom is not free, and the sacrifice that each military member gave for us all. This event organized by Pamela Kohnen was outstanding with remarks from RADM (ret) Craig Quigley on his time in the Pentagon as the DoD Public Affairs and his Navy Journey, and CPT (ret) Winnie Fritz on lessons learned and gifts given in the military during war and peace. We recognized the missing soldier at a table set for them and each service. Recognizing the individual services and those that served was an honor for the members of our Rotary Club. It was a great night and an honor for us to provide this service to our veterans. We finalized the night by recognizing Pamela Kohnen for all her hard work.
On November 11, we participated in the Surprise Veterans Day Parade. Jim Rumpeltes, Jim Schlenvogt, Robert Evans and Jeri Robertson and the junior Interact Club decked out Glenn’s Truck and marched in the parade.
It was a beautiful Day and a Wonderful time for us to parade for our Veterans and show off our Rotary Club of Surprise & Sun City West.
That night, our club meeting worked on the details for the upcoming Fore the Kids Golf Tournament (Dec. 6 at Briarwood Country Club). Phil Souza encouraged every member to find sponsors, find golfers, or bring stuff for the raffle, silent auction and live auction.
On November 15, we worked at the Valley View Community Food Bank (our normal monthly service work) and provided excellent service for our community. Debbie and Greg Sullivan with Jim Schlenvogt bagged meals for our communities (along with the Sun City Rotary Club).
On November 25 we began our meeting by packing the goodie bags for the Golf Tournament and were helped by our own District Governor Jim Schmidt.
We had a reception and cake
We welcomed 2 new members Steve Courts and Corporate Alternate Mike Aurelio.
Jim helped us in inducting these new members.
We welcomed Lourdes Duran from Ottawa University our (hopefully) new Rotaractor from our new Rotaract Club.
Jim then spoke to us about not only our District but what it really means to be a Rotarian; the leadership opportunities, the service opportunities, the friendships and lifelong relationships we develop as Rotarians. It was inspiring, and let us know our value as Rotarians in this District. We presented Jim a Check from the club and the charitable fund for District 5495 youth services.
We weren’t done yet. On November 29, the club rang bells for the Salvation Army at the Fry’s on R H Johnson and the Fry’s on Bell and Reems. The opportunities to fundraise for the great work the Salvation Army does here in the West Valley was great and thanks to Sally Williamson for setting this up with the Salvation Army.
Upcoming in December will be our meeting on December 9 with Club director/officer elections, the Charitable Fund Board of Director elections and our speaker will be Chris Judd member of our Club and a City of Surprise City Council member to talk to us about the state of the City. On December 16 will be the 3 Club Christmas party at Briarwood Country Club.
Today is the National Day of Giving
Please Take this opportunity to consider giving to The Rotary Foundation, our Dolly Parton's Imagination Library or the Charitable fund for all the good works Rotary can do, on our Community, Region, Nation and throughout the world.
Upcoming Events
Remember
Meals Available from the Bistro at the Colonnade before our meetings at 4:30 (Premeeting order).
Zoom
We have Zoom Connection for our meetings.
The Zoom Link for the Dec. 9 meeting is:
Topic: Rotary Club of Surprise & SCW
Time: Dec 9, 2025 05:30 PM Arizona
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92831931389
pwd=i21ToDn3rwgkTqh37w95XK3F2nabZl.1
Meeting ID: 928 3193 1389
Passcode: 937298
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Volunteer Opportunities
The Club has the following Volunteer Opportunities coming up:
Sounds of Autism
Monday December 8 at the Colonnade 10:30 to 12:00 Noon
Unified Community Responder Volunteer Event
Club Officers: Phil is looking for Folks that want to step up into Officer roles in our Club. Please see Phil for more details and please consider stepping up to a committee chair and officer in this next year. We will vote on the new officers and directors at the business meeting of Dec. 9.
Fore the Kids 2025
The Golf Tournament is Dec. 6, 2025 at Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West.
SAVE THE DATE
Three Clubs Xmas/Holiday Party
Briarwood Country Club
Dec. 16
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 AZ 250 project museum van will be at the Taste of Surprise & Arts Festival outside the stadium. Contact Brian Laurie for more information.
