Members of the Sioux Falls West Rotary Club proudly represented our community at the 2025 District 5610 Conference, joining fellow Rotarians from across the region to celebrate service, leadership, and fellowship. The event offered inspiring keynote sessions, collaborative workshops, panel discussions, and meaningful opportunities to connect with clubs across the district. Our delegation brought energy, ideas, and a deep commitment to Rotary's values, returning home with renewed momentum for local projects and district-wide initiatives. We're grateful for the chance to learn, lead, and grow together.Members of the Sioux Falls West Rotary Club proudly represented our community at the 2025 District 5610 Conference, joining fellow Rotarians from across the region to celebrate service, leadership, and fellowship. The event offered inspiring keynote sessions, collaborative workshops, panel discussions, and meaningful opportunities to connect with clubs across the district. Our delegation brought energy, ideas, and a deep commitment to Rotary's values, returning home with renewed momentum for local projects and district-wide initiatives. We're grateful for the chance to learn, lead, and grow together.
Rotary Club of Sioux Falls West wrapped up the season on a high note with our Summer-End Seafood Boil Social—a flavorful farewell to summer and a warm welcome to fall!Members and guests gathered for an afternoon of laughter, connection, and finger-licking fun as tables overflowed with shrimp, crab, corn, potatoes, and all the fixings. Lively conversation kept spirits high, while the scent of seasonings and melted butter brought everyone together like family. From big pots to an outdoor fireplace, and breezy conversations, the event was a perfect blend of Rotary fellowship and seasonal celebration.
Whether you came for the seafood or stayed for the stories, this boil reminded us why Rotary is more than service; it's community, camaraderie, and a whole lot of heart.
Here's to a season of impact ahead ... and maybe a few leftover crab legs in the freezer.
On Friday, August 29th, members of our club came together at the Country Club of Sioux Falls for a powerful and inspiring meeting featuring SD Salutes, an organization dedicated to honoring and supporting South Dakota’s first responders and military personnel.The event offered a moment of reflection and gratitude, as attendees wrote personal “Thank You” notes to those serving in the field, reminding our heroes that their service is deeply appreciated. It was a meaningful afternoon of fellowship, community spirit, and shared purpose.
We’re proud to stand with those who serve and protect, and grateful to SD Salutes for joining us in this important mission.
In a heartfelt gesture of service and solidarity, our Rotary Club gathered during our weekly meeting to fold origami cranes, timeless symbols of hope and healing, in support of the Children’s Home Society. Each crane represents a message of encouragement for children and families navigating challenging times.This simple act of folding paper became a powerful expression of care, reminding us that small, intentional efforts can ripple outward to create meaningful change.
Together, we continue to live our motto: Service Above Self.
Armed with rollers, brushes, and a can-do attitude, our Rotary crew brought a splash of color (and a lot of laughter) to the walls of Habitat for Humanity ReStore!
From bold strokes to accidental paint splotches on shoes, it was all hands on deck as we turned blank walls into bright, welcoming spaces. Whether we were cutting in edges like pros or just trying not to paint each other, the day was filled with teamwork, community spirit, and a whole lot of fun.
Just another colorful chapter in our mission to make a difference—one brushstroke at a time!
Bingo, donuts, and big smiles; what more could you ask for on a Wednesday? Our Rotary Club had an absolute blast spending time with the amazing community at DakotAbilities, where a few friendly bingo battles brought out the competitive spirit (and some unexpected lucky streaks!).
Before the games began, we kicked things off with coffee, donuts, and great conversation at the Longfellow Center, catching up with old friends and making new ones. It was a morning full of laughter, connection, and community, proof that a little time (and a lot of donuts) can go a long way.
Before the games began, we kicked things off with coffee, donuts, and great conversation at the Longfellow Center, catching up with old friends and making new ones. It was a morning full of laughter, connection, and community, proof that a little time (and a lot of donuts) can go a long way.
Sioux Falls Rotary members swapped meeting room tables for greenhouse aisles at Landscape Garden Centers, where vibrant flowers set the scene for an evening of connection.Between the scent of fresh blooms and the clink of glasses, laughter filled the air and conversations flowed as easily as the refreshments.
It was a night that perfectly captured the warmth, camaraderie, and community spirit that make Rotary shine.
The Rotary Torch made a shining stop in Sioux Falls on its journey to the Rotary International Convention in Calgary!
Beneath the iconic Arch of Dreams, Rotarians came together to honor the spirit of service, celebrate unity, and showcase the power of global connection.
It was a moment where local pride met international purpose—reminding us that no matter where we are in the world, Rotary’s light shines bright.
Members of Sioux Falls West Rotary hopped into action this week, joining LifeScape for their annual Easter Egg Hunt!From colorful eggs tucked into every corner to the laughter of kids racing to find them, the day was filled with joy, connection, and community spirit.
It was more than just a hunt—it was a heartwarming reminder of the smiles that happen when service meets celebration.
What a night! The 17th Annual Rock & Roll for Hope fundraiser, hosted by Sioux Falls West Rotary, was a sold-out success — 33 tables filled with friends, supporters, and changemakers all uniting for one incredible mission. Since 2008, our club has proudly partnered with Hope Haven International Ministries to deliver mobility, dignity, and hope through wheelchair donations across the globe. From our first $1,000 gift to the life-changing impact we continue to make today, the journey has been nothing short of inspiring. A special shoutout goes to Duane Waack, whose 38 trips delivering wheelchairs embody the very heart of Service Above Self. Thank you to everyone who showed up, gave generously, and proved that when music, mission, and community come together, hope truly rolls forward
On Wednesday, February 19th, our club members and their guests joined LifeScape students for a fun volleyball game.
Here is what our LifeScape friends said: "It was great to see you again—it felt like catching up with old friends. Your laughter and genuine interactions made each student feel celebrated for their unique, fun-loving selves. We’re so grateful for the light you bring into the lives of our students, with many smiles and confidence-boosting moments, especially during volleyball! Your impact on our mission is felt every time you show up. We’re beyond grateful for each of you!"
Here is what our LifeScape friends said: "It was great to see you again—it felt like catching up with old friends. Your laughter and genuine interactions made each student feel celebrated for their unique, fun-loving selves. We’re so grateful for the light you bring into the lives of our students, with many smiles and confidence-boosting moments, especially during volleyball! Your impact on our mission is felt every time you show up. We’re beyond grateful for each of you!"
Please contact us if you'd like to join our club members in one of our monthly service projects!
On Thursday, November 21st, the Sioux Falls West Rotary Club members joined the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire to serve a Thanksgiving meal to their members and their families. We enjoyed sharing stories, meeting new people, and serving our community. 
On Saturday, October 12th, club members collaborated with the Great Plains Zoo team to prepare the grounds for their Fall festivities. Our group worked diligently to refinish the fences leading to the African Savannah area, all while enjoying the crisp fall air and observing the animals before the crowds arrived for the day.
On Saturday morning, October 5, 2024, members of our club donned hard hats and protective eyewear to volunteer at a Habitat for Humanity work site in the Whittier neighborhood of Sioux Falls. Club member Martin Oyos shared: "The site featured an older home that Habitat for Humanity is renovating to sell to a family in need who cannot afford traditional housing.The Rotary West volunteers assisted with re-siding the home and other outdoor construction tasks. A group from the Knights of Columbus also joined in the construction efforts that day. The fall weather was beautiful, creating a perfect backdrop for camaraderie and teamwork. The volunteers left with a sense of accomplishment, along with a few sore muscles."
Habitat for Humanity of Greate Sioux Falls added: "Our rehab house is fully sided! Thank you to all the volunteers who helped us, such as these groups from The Title Resource Network, Holy Spirit Catholic Church Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club of Sioux Falls—West, and FPC Sioux Falls. Your support is making this rehab possible!"
If you would like to get involved in our community projects, please contact us.
On September 10, Rotary Club of Sioux Falls West members dedicated their morning to spending quality time with adults with disabilities at DakotAbilities. Shelly Johnson, Director of Development at Dakotabilities, shared that "[The cub members] took a tour of Longfellow Center, where Meaningful Day services take place during the week. Of the 135 people DakotAbilties supports with accessible residential housing and 24/7/365 access to nursing care, the majority participate in day services, with activities ranging from art, music, nutrition, gardening, life skills, and fitness. The day services program also makes it possible for those supported to enjoy all our community has to offer, such as the Washington Pavilion, Great Plains Zoo, and the Midco Aquatic Center. DakotAbilities has been supporting adults with disabilities in Sioux Falls since 1965, and they work to ensure each person lives a life of full potential based on their unique abilities and interests. Relationships and meeting new people are of utmost importance, and by spending time getting to know one another over coffee, donuts, and BINGO, club members made a positive and lasting impression on the people they met, truly living up to DakotAbilities’ mission statement which reads,'Together, we create a warm and welcoming community enriching the lives of those we support.' ”
DakotAbilities is a registered 501(c)3. Meaningful Day services are made possible through grants, Sioux Empire United Way funding, and private donations.
DakotAbilities is a registered 501(c)3. Meaningful Day services are made possible through grants, Sioux Empire United Way funding, and private donations.
The Rotary Club of Sioux Falls West had the honor of helping serve our community through supporting Food To You, a mobile food pantry set up weekly in various churches throughout Sioux Falls. On August 1st, club members joined forces with them at East Side Lutheran Church, where we helped stock shelves with donated food items, assisted in checking in customers, and facilitated the grocery distribution to all who came in.
This past week, Rotary members engaged in a lively game of kickball with the children at LifeScape transforming an ordinary afternoon into a vibrant tapestry of laughter, camaraderie, and boundless energy. Amidst the backdrop of smiles and cheers, every kick becomes a testament to the power of connection, fostering bonds that transcend the boundaries of age or circumstance. Through the simple act of play, Rotary members and children alike discover the profound beauty of human connection and the timeless joy of being present in the moment.
The Sioux Falls Rotary West club spent a lovely evening with the children and young adults served by LifeScape in Sioux Falls in late March. While the idea is to usually make a real effort to hide the eggs, when working with these kids we decided to make it a bit easier. We wanted them to find LOTS of eggs and then they got to turn in their eggs for a prize - beautiful stuffed toys or yummy snacks. Along with the fun, we made an effort to help them work on counting and sorting. It truly was a delightful evening for all of us!
