Club Activities

LOCAL: ROTARY PARK: With significant donations from local business and construction companies and with help from the Municipality of Anchorage, the Eagle River Area Rotary Club built Rotary Park (also known as Town Square Park) on Business Boulevard next to the bus station. The park is maintained by the Municipality. In Rotary Park, the club holds its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony with a visit from Santa and his reindeer (thanks to Rotarian Tom Williams, owner of the Reindeer Farm in Palmer). The ceremony features caroling by high school and elementary school choirs, visits by local pageant queens, and is a kick-off to the Christmas season. In 2008, the club placed a plaque with Rotary's 4-Way Test "of the things we think, say, or do" at the entrance to the park. It is viewable by all passerby, and especially placed for young people using the park to remember as they become decision makers in the years ahead. The 4-Way Test has been a part of Rotary ethical guidelines since 1932. The park is used as a restful picnic spot in the summer, and in winter the park is used as a central location for outdoor community events. EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT  The club has awarded at least two $1,000 ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS to deserving local high school seniors every year since 1984 as well as two $1,000 VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS. Scholarships are funded by proceeds from I-DID-A-DUCK.  The club conducts a MOST IMPROVED STUDENT RECOGNITION program. Each year the club recognizes over 300 Most Improved Students in C-ER schools nominated by their teachers with a Pizza lunch (donated in part by Pizza Man) and a recognition certificate.  The club conducts mock job interviews in area high schools to help prepare students for the job market.  The club conducts the CHOICES program in area middle schools. This nationwide program is a practical exercise in teaching students the benefits and consequences of choices they make.  The club has been given a STAR AWARD by the Anchorage School District for its Business-School Partnership Program.  The club has sponsored numerous local students at the ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE conducted annually by District 5010 in various locations around Alaska. COMMUNITY SERVICE  The club has responded to MANY LOCAL SERVICE GROUPS requesting financial support by choirs, school teams, literacy projects, and other worthwhile activities.  The club has held a FOOD BASKET donation program during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season every year since inception, as well as supporting the TOYS-FOR-TOTS during Christmas season.  The club has an ongoing support activity with the EAGLE RIVER FOOD PANTRY.  Other service activities include our annual E.R. NATURE CENTER spring cleanup and flower supply; ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY road cleanup; and providing VOLUNTEERS for worthwhile activities of other non-profits. The club has conducted the I-DID-A-DUCK race at Bear Paw Days for the past 20 years. I-Did-A-Duck is the primary annual fund raiser for the club by which service projects are funded. INTERNATIONAL  The club sends out one or more local high school students on an INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE (OUTBOUND) every year for a full year's experience in a foreign country.  The club hosts one or more INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE (INBOUND) students for a full year residency in Eagle River and school attendance at Chugiak High School  The club was recognized for exceptional performance by Rotary International in 1990-1991 for its over-the-goal support of the POLIO PLUS PROGRAM which will see to the elimination of Polio worldwide in the coming decade. The club contributed $22,500 to this worthwhile program.  The club has hosted several GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE teams traveling through Alaska.  Over the years, the club has established numerous JOINT PROJECTS with other Rotary Clubs in Second and Third World countries to bridge international boundaries.  The club has nominated and has had selected several AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIP candidates from the local area for a full year university experience in a foreign country paid for by Rotary International (equivalent to Rhodes Scholar level study).  RUSSIA: The club was singularly instrumental in bringing Rotary to the Russian Far East by helping sponsor the first Russian Far East Rotary Club in Magadan. Several active club members directly participated in this outreach.