Enhancing Opportunities for Youth; Creating a Better World for All.

JOIN A PROJECT

From mentoring area youth to planting trees, highway cleanup and events, there's something for every volunteer spirit. Rotary People of Action make a difference in their communities and in the world.

PARTNER WITH US

Be a part of the "End Polio Now" effort. (more) You or your organization can make a difference in eradicating this devastating disease by contributing to Rotary International.

DISCOVER NEW CULTURES

Rotary sponsors youth exchange programs as well as member on-site volunteer projects. Discover and celebrate diverse perspectives with a global organization.

Our Club's First Exchange Student's Message

Roxy Vergara – Former Exchange Student

Please visit the club Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RiverFallsRotary) for a message from Roxy Vergara, our club’s very first inbound exchange student. Roxy came to us from the Philippines and was a great addition to our club. In her post, she recounts her trepidation about the trip, but the realization of what a life-changing year that was for her. Roxy did visit again after her stay, and Gordon Hedahl visited her once while traveling as well. A great example of the life impact that the exchange program has, and the lifelong bonds that can be formed!

Pleasant Pasture Farm Animal Sanctuary

Pleasant Pasture Farm Animal Sanctuary in New Richmond is an organization whose mission is stated as: 1) provide a loving forever home for animals in need, and 2) create opportunities for people to connect with nature, the animals and community -- planting the seeds of compassion. Katherine founded Pleasant Pasture Animal Sanctuary 3 1/2 years ago.(www.pleasantpasture.org). Katherine will share stories of the Sanctuary's 'residents' and how this non-profit is providing a place to heal, learn and give back for individuals throughout the St. Croix Valley.

About the Speaker: Katherine Fossler, Director of the UW-River Falls Small Business Development Center loves all things business. Today, however, she will be speaking the club about her other passion - animals!

CLICK 'READ MORE' FOR A PHOTOGRAPHIC PREVIEW!

Allina CHNA -- Brandi Poellinger

Healthier Together: Pierce/St Croix County Community Needs Assessment. As a non-profit hospital system, Allina Health is required to complete a community health needs assessment (CHNA) every three years. Brandi Poellinger will share the results of the CHNA and the priority areas for the 2023-2025 implementation plan.

About the Speaker: Brandi Poellinger is the Eastern Region Community Engagement Manager for Allina Health. She has been with Allina health for 9 years, and she lives in River Falls with her family.

Exchange Student Presentation

Angela Miller, recent RFHS graduate, talked to the club about her exchange student experience in Spain. She focused on her time in Spain -- how school went, about her host families, and descriptions of the city she lived in, etc. Angela showed pictures of her travels in Spain. Her Spanish high school class took a class trip to Italy. Angela had her time in Spain cut short because of the Covid pandemic but she was able to go back to see her Spanish family this summer.

Mary Lundstrom, who will be a sophomore at Ellsworth High School this coming fall, presented her introductory talk that she will give to the hosting Rotary club in Spain. Although she gave her presentation to our Rotary club in English, she plans to give the Rotary club in Spain the presentation in Spanish, which means that she will give that presentation later in her visit once her Spanish has improved. Her presentation about herself consisted of many pictures of her family, school and the state of Wisconsin.

About the Speakers: Angela will be attending Loyola University in Chicago starting in the fall. She just got back a few days ago from orientation, where she met other freshmen. Her plan is to study Exercise Science. Angela is the daughter of Rotarian Dr. Greg Miller and his wife Molly, and she has 3 siblings. Among her extracurriculars, Angela played tennis in high school (every year she was not in Spain) and really enjoyed it. As noted above, Mary is a rising sophomore at Ellsworth High School. River Falls Rotary has assisted her since Ellsworth does not have a Rotary club.