We applaud those members of our club who answered the call of President-Elect Dave to serve our club during his year as club president, starting July 1, 2026.
One of the Highlights of 2025!
The Club Excellence award, formerly the Rotary Citation award, recognizes clubs that achieve specific goals throughout the year, such as increasing their membership, engaging members in sustainable service projects, giving to The Rotary Foundation, building awareness of Rotary in our community, and having an up-to-date strategic plan. A club that achieves these goals contributes to the club's overall health and culture for generations to come.
Holiday Service Projects
They're a Wrap!
Wow — have our members been busy the last 14 days! It started on December 5, when our club partnered with the local firefighters to canvas the GlenEagle neighborhood for its annual food drive benefiting the Arlington Community Food Bank. We had two shifts: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Here is a Rotarian and Fire Chief's report on the club members' efforts:
Hello all, last night the weather presented some challenges, it POURED at times! Though it seemed quieter than previous years, our numbers were really good. Last night, we collected 2,495 pounds of food, all of which was delivered to the Food Bank this morning. In 2024, we collected 2,523 pounds; we were only off 28 pounds. Thank you to all who came out and stood up to Mother Nature. …Thank you, Katy & DJ, for donning the Duck Dash Splishy & Splashy costumes one last time.
A Christmas Wish
30 Years of Making Christmas Brighter for Families
At our December 11 meeting, Rotarian and co-president of A Christmas Wish, Kim Deisher-Allen, gave us a history of A Christmas Wish, followed by the volunteer coordinator and vice-president, Rotarian Nicole Voshell, who told us about the work club members would be doing following the presentation.
Start 2026 by letting your family & Friends Know!
You're a proud Rotarian.
We have partnered with D & R Designs to create a store where members and others can purchase shirts, hats, and gear. They will also put the Rotary Club of Arlington logo on the apparel that you provide. To go to the Rotary store, click on the image below:
Here is the link if you would like to store it: https://designsbydandr.com/rotary/
Huleatt Family Adventure
Bob Marshall Wilderness
Jeff and Cindy Huleatt were our program on December 4.
What do you buy as a gift for a father who loves the outdoors and adventures? A trip into the wilderness by horse, raft, and foot, of course! Add family and fishing to the gift, and it was perfect for Jeff!
Friendsgiving Social
Mel hosted her annual Friendsgiving potluck club social on November 30. She not only served turkey, but also Seahawks!
Host Mel hands Kevin the pool payout, but Cindy, not Kevin, won the pool as the Seahawks beat the Vikings, 26-0. But Seahawk was not the only thing served at the Friendsgiving Fireside. Check out the friends and the food:
Lee and Miss Vicky's 2026 Challenge Updates
After a successful thousand or so break-in miles, we intend to restart the Edmonton Adventure on the
12th of January, so that Miss Vicky (and drivers) can attend their first (ever) hockey game experience at the Oilers Game for PolioPlus on Saturday, January 17th. From there, Fort McMurray, Yellowknife, Harrison Hot
Springs, Whitehorse… and Lloydminster(!), are in our sights.
Off for the second ascent of "Mount" Edmonton, District 5370. Growing up in Florida, I'm told it will be chilly this time of year. Miss Vicky and her rebuilt engine is ready to go with new snow tires, (courtesy of Canadian Tire Scott Road), block and battery heaters. Looking forward to attending "Oil Kings Hockey game for PolioPlus" and spreading the word at club presentations.
Nearly $5k matched toward the Canadian Challenge check of $25,000. Thanks to all!"
Sincerely,
Lee
Updates can be found on the Raise Rotary website by clicking HERE.
Support my fundraiser
USD101,221
of USD 200,000 raised
51% 190 remaining days
Puget Sound Kidney Centers
Krissy Davis from the Everett Rotary Club, and Executive Director of the Puget Sound Kidney Centers (PSKC), a nonprofit with multiple dialysis centers serving 900 patients annually, totaling 120,000 treatments. PSKC, founded in 1981, merged with Olympic Peninsula Kidney Centers in 2021, expanding to 12 centers. Davis highlighted the importance of nonprofit dialysis, which offers better patient outcomes. She explained the different dialysis modalities, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, and emphasized the need for early education about kidney disease. Davis also shared efforts to support patients, such as providing emergency backup generators and nutritional support, and encouraged community involvement and fundraising.
Arlington Community Foodbank
Food Security Helps All Areas of Focus
At our November 13 meeting, Carla Rankin, the executive director of the Arlington Community Food Bank, shared insights on the critical food insecurity situation in Snohomish County, highlighting the impact of SNAP and EBT cuts. Last year, the food bank served over 25,000 households and 115,000 individuals, including a 12-year-old boy living alone. They distribute over 1 million pounds of food annually, with a budget nearing $4 million. Carla emphasized the importance of fresh food and the role of 300 volunteers. The food bank also supports local farms and has a community garden that harvested 15,000 pounds of produce. They are preparing for future emergencies and rely on community support and strategic planning.
Celebrating Our Inbound Exchange Student
Instead of our regular monthly evening meeting on June 26, Kim Deisher-Allen, currently the host mother of our Rotary Youth Exchange student, Madyke DeGroot, hosted a celebration for Madyke at her home. Although Madyke was considered a senior during her year at Arlington High School, she could not walk across the stage to receive a diploma. She did participate in other traditional graduation events, such as the all-night party.
Mayke is from Nunspeet, Netherlands. As a Rotary International Exchange Student, she has been sponsored by our club for the last year. She had had three host families. She started in the home of our president, Mel Simpson, whose daughter is currently an exchange student in Sweden. Her second host family was Peggy and Nathan Ray, and her last host family is Kim Deisher-Allen and Rob Allen. She will be leaving for home on July 7.
We met Madyke's parents, who visited Madyke from their home in Nunspeet, Netherlands. They spent two weeks in the area, including venturing up to British Columbia.
Madyke with her Parents
There was no shortage of shared glowing messages from those who have helped Madyke fulfill items on her now-famous "bucket list", an idea that originated from Peggy Rae. All agreed that it was a great way to share Madyke with members of our club, while giving Madyke a great experience as our exchange student.
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Service Above Self Since 1970
(Hadley Community Room)
Arlington, WA 98223
United States of America