Stories

Sedona Chief of Police Charles Husted joined Andrew Bailor and Dr. Dan Olson as the newest members of the Rotary Club of Sedona Red Rocks. The trio were inducted by the club’s Foundation Chair, Ron Draxler, during the August 7 meeting at Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa. Scott Gilbert and Marjie Muro acted as their sponsors.

A variety of colorful backpacks will greet thirty-six at need elementary grade students as they return to classes at West Sedona School in August.

The back packs, provided free of charge by the Rotary Club of Sedona Red Rocks, also contain essential school supplies. Each backpack, suitable for grades K – 4, holds two spiral notebooks, a dozen pencils, two glue sticks, one wedge eraser, a pair of safety scissors, a box of colored pencils and a set of 24 assorted crayons.

This is the eighth year that Red Rocks Rotary has donated the backpacks and supplies. They will be distributed by the Sedona Oak Creek School District to students lacking the necessary start of school staples. The district’s new superintendent Dennis Dearden helped unload the backpacks when they were delivered to the district’s offices on July 19 by Red Rocks Rotarian Donna Hawk.

The backpack donation is valued at nearly $1,000 which the Red Rocks Rotary finances through its fund raising efforts. During its past fiscal year, the club hosted seven events including its signature charity golf tournament and the popular Red Rocks Oktoberfest. Combined net proceeds for all of the events was over $38,000.

A variety of colorful backpacks will greet forty at need elementary grade students as they return to classes in the Sedona Oak Creek School District in August.

The back packs, provided free of charge by the Rotary Club of Sedona Red Rocks, also contain essential school supplies. Each backpack, suitable for grades K – 3, holds one spiral notebook, a dozen pencils, a glue stick, one wedge eraser, a box of 24 colored pencils and a set of 24 assorted crayons.

Delivered to the Sedona Oak Creek School District Administrative Office on July 19, this is the sixth year that Red Rocks Rotary has donated the backpacks and supplies. They will be distributed where most needed by the SOCSD to students at both West Sedona School and Big Park Elementary School.

The backpack donation comes every year just following the completion of Red Rocks Rotary’s longest running service project which is the summer school literacy program at West Sedona School. The club’s support of the program began in 2003 at the urging of its founding member the late Ray Myrvold.

Red Rocks Rotary annually provides $1,500 toward the cost of the program. Red Rock Rotarians also personally visit the campus and assist the students with their reading lessons during the summer session.