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After several weeks and several attempts, we finally have a winner at the Queen of Hearts! Everett Gibbons reached up and pulled the Queen of Hearts out of the 17 remaining cards. He was one happy winner. Congratulations Everett!!

High School Leadership Speakers

Thank you to our great speakers this week at the Toppenish Rotary. These three high school students did a fabulous job. Left to right: Thalisa Saldivar, Jaxon Smith, Mario Trujillo. They are off to great places!

Toppenish Community Chest Food Bank Work Day!

The Toppenish Rotary went to the Toppenish Community Chest Food Bank this past Saturday to do some clean up and interior painting. It was a great day. Lots of Rotarians showed up along with their family members. We also had the Miss Toppenish Court there. We were able to paint the interior dining hall. New clothing racks, shoe racks, floor molding and folding chair storage has been ordered and will be delivered in the next few weeks. The last final touch will be new signage for outside of the building. Thank you all who helped with this adventure. Cecilia at the Food Bank is so excited for her new surroundings.

Community Safety Network Golf Tournament

The Toppenish Rotary participated in the Community Safety Network (CSN) golf tournament on Saturday, May 15th. The team placed 1st with an amazing of score of 45! Team members: Walt Wegener, Randy Anderson, Barb Moses & Tyler Jensen. Way to go team!!

Dollars For Scholars Golf Tournament

The Toppenish Rotary participated in the 2021 Dollars For Scholars golf tournament on Friday, May 7th. Team (left to right): Walt Wegener, John Cerna, Chuck Stegeman and Barb Moses. The team represented Rotary very well and they had a great time. The Toppenish/Wapato Dollars for Scholars group did a fabulous job running their tournament.

We Are Back at the Branding Iron

Just a quick note to let everyone know that since we are in Phase 2, we are able to return to the Branding Iron for our meetings. So starting Tuesday, February 23rd we will be meeting at the Branding Iron Restaurant from 12:00 - 1:00 PM every Tuesday. Please join us!

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Tee It High, Let It Fly 2020

Our 6th Annual Tee It High, Let It Fly golf tournament was another success this year. Thank you to our title sponsor, Campbell CPA LLC. We had 17 teams and despite the wind, everyone had a fabulous time. 1st place team: Stegeman Electric. 2nd place team: Toppenish Rotary. 3rd place team: All Phase Electric. We held a putting contest sponsored by Chandler Distributing. The winner of the putting contest was John from All Phase Electric. He took home a limited edition Scotty Cameron putter. Congrats John!!

Scholarship Winner Writes a Thank You

One of our three scholarship recipients wrote a beautiful thank you. We thought we would share it with everyone.

"Dear Toppenish Rotary,

I am sincerely honored to have been selected as the recipient of the John Brearley Rotary

Scholarship 2020. I thank you for your generosity that has allowed me to expand my knowledge,

and teach me the importance of earning my degree.

With your support, I am the first in my family to attend college. Growing up in a family who has
struggled financially and the only source of income coming from the tree fruit industry, has
taught me to value my education. Today, I work harder for my family, aiming to attend college
and bring home a degree for my family. I have learned how much courage it takes to live, and it
has helped me become who I am now.

As I complete my education at Heritage University, I want to share my passion for teaching and
develop new strategies for addressing the educational needs of each student. I am the person I am
today because of the place I grew up and I know I can improve the lives of others around me. I
want to support the student’s cultural heritage, identity, family, and fight for their social and
economic rights. I want to close the achievement gaps in my community and act as a guide for
the new generations of immigrants. I truly believe I can change the future of education and
inspire students to become leaders who can help our community.

Your generosity has inspired me to help others, and give back to my community. I want to strive
for improvement to become someone who will be remembered because of her ethic and
courageous persona to change the lives of others. I hope one day I will be able to help students
achieve their goals just as you have helped me.
I sincerely appreciate your kindness and generosity. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Perla Bolaños"

Feeding the Frontline Healthcare Heroes

Toppenish Rotary donated $500 to the Feeding the Frontline Healthcare Heroes efforts sponsored by Catering Creations by Toni. This fundraiser is raising funds to provide lunch to healthcare professionals who are working around the clock for our community in the Yakima medical facilities. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, "non-essential" medical facility workers, including culinary teams, have been removed or overwhelmed. We wanted to show our gratitude for our frontline healthcare heroes so we donated funds that will directly feed the people that are going to work everyday to save lives.

Representative Chris Corry Visits Toppenish

Thank you to Chris Corry, Representative of the 14th District, for coming to share information on what is happening at the Legislature and encouraging us to be involved. We truly appreciate your knowledge and expertise!!!

Perrault Farms & the Hop Industry

Thank you to Jason Perrault, CEO of Perrault Farms and Yakima Chief Ranches, for coming to share your insight into the hop industry. Truly appreciate your knowledge!!!

Alzheimer's Association

Posted on Sep 10, 2019

Thank you Lisa Barrett, Care Navigator, with the Alzheimer's Association for coming to discuss the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's.

YWCA - An amazing resource for our Valley

Posted on Aug 28, 2019

Thank you to Liza Kapuza and the YWCA for coming to Rotary and giving a very eye opening program.

The YWCA is such a great asset for our community.

Toppenish Rotary Cancelled Today

The Toppenish Rotary meeting has been cancelled for today (February 12, 2019) due to the inclement weather and poor driving conditions. Stay safe and warm. See you next week!

Family Holiday Party

The Toppenish Rotary held their Family Holiday Party on Sunday, January 27th. A great time was had by all. A paper-rock-scissors tournament was the highlight. The championship round consisted of Mike and Tristin battling it out, with the winner, Tristin, walking away with a $30 prize. A big thanks to Brenda and Laura who planned the event and to Mike and Laura for opening up their beautiful home and hosting the event.

Honoring our Outgoing President

Thank you Dale Funk, for giving us 2 great years as our Rotary President. Your push on getting us involved with grants has really instigated more involvement in the community and beyond. We can't thank you enough.

Paul Harris Award Recipient

Congratulations Father John Shaw for receiving your Paul Harris Foundation Award. Also, we wish you well and will miss you very much at Rotary. You have been a true blessing to our Rotary group over the years and you will be truly missed. Come visit us when you can! You are always welcome.

2018 Change Maker Award

Congratulations goes to Walt Wegener! He was awarded the 2018 Change Maker Award at this year's District Conference. Thanks to all of Walt's hard work and expertise, we were awarded a Rotary Grant that will assist in the remodeling of the Park & Rec's concession stand at the Toppenish Pool. Walt always volunteers to help out when needed and he is a true asset to our Rotary Club. Thanks Walt, for all you do! Well deserved.

Rotary District 5060 Conference: Prosser, WA

This year's conference was a huge success. Rotarians experienced a new style of conference that was informative and yet they had time to network and enjoy each other's company in between sessions. The food was wonderful. Friendships were rekindled as well as new ones were formed. The bikers experienced a "little rain", while the wine tasters, walkers and golfers escaped the rain. The Youth Exchange students worked hard in downtown Prosser on Friday and they were having fun swimming and eating afterwards. Home hosting was phenomenal as always. Most of all, the district conference speakers motivated us as they reaffirmed, that what we do as Rotarians, is making our communities and our World a safer, healthier and happier place.

Dollars For Scholars Golf Tournament

Left to Right: Devin Baum, Walt Wegener, John Cerna and Chuck Stegeman represented the Toppenish Rotary at this year's Dollars For Scholars golf tournament. The event took place at the Mt. Adams Golf Course on Friday, May 11th. They took 2nd place. Way to go team!!!

Administrative Professionals' Day Luncheon 2018

This year's luncheon was a fabulous success. Our big thanks goes out to all of you who helped, supported and/or attended the luncheon. We had 220 people who attended this year and they were served a scrumptious lunch that was catered in by "Catering Creations By Toni" (Yakima). The 50/50 winner won over $350 and there was $550 given out in BINGO prize money. Everyone left with a rose and many lucky winners walked away with great raffle prizes. We want to thank everyone who came and everyone who helped make this year's event a huge success. If you didn't make it this year, please plan to join us next year! Check out all of the pictures on our Photo Page.

Little Free Library Comes to Toppenish

Toppenish Rotary is the Steward of the new Little Free Library. Check it out. It is on 2nd Ave along side the walking track of Pioneer Park. The concept is you can take a book to read and when you do, you put a book in to replace the one you take. If you have any book donations, please contact Toppenish Rotary at topprotary226@gmail.com or via Facebook. We are looking for books written in either English or Spanish, as well as books for all ages. Thanks!