Our club was honored at our February 26 meeting to have Mayor Don Vanney present his State of the City of Arlington program. He was introduced by Paul Ellis, the City Administrator, and a member of our club. Both Ellis and Vanney acknowledged the hard work and efforts of the City staff and the community.
Sponsorship Drive Kicks Off
With the 25th anniversary quilt hanging in the background, the 38th Annual Great Stilly Duck Dash kicked off its sponsorship drive at our evening meeting on February 19th. This year's event chair, Jennifer (on the far left), introduced Jola, the sponsorship drive chair riding the duck, to tell us that this year's goal is to raise $200,000 in sponsorships. The drive will conclude on March 26 to meet production deadlines for tickets, posters, shirts, and other promotional materials.
Ideas on Growing Our Club's Membership
Tom Langenhop--Membership Director Elect
Introduction: The need:
The Rotary club is a service club and, like other service clubs, is experiencing the effects of the cultural shift in our society where there is a decreasing sense of personal responsibility to our community and motivation to become involved in efforts to serve others and address needs locally, nationally, or internationally. We have become an introverted society.
Lee and Miss Vicky 2026-Club Donation & Latest from Lee
In addition to the above check, Lee wishes to thank Rotarian Keith Becker of the White Rock Rotary Club for his contribution that brought the Miss Vicky cumulative total above $125,000 USD! This "unlocks" the third Challenge Check/Cheque, bringing our new total to $144,362 USD. Let's push hard to unleash the fourth and last challenge check, shooting for a full $200,000.00 by district conference time. Contact Lee or
Winston for a visit from Miss Vicky and an opportunity to present the PolioPlus story at your club. Next scheduled Miss Vicky drive: Grand Prairie, Alberta, CA; April 10-12."
Aid Africa
Peter and Irene Keller visited our club again, at Bob Wall's request, to provide more information about Aid Africa. Our club has budgeted $7,500 to support Aid Africa's well-drilling in Uganda. Our club has received a $140,000 bequest to provide water to residents in Africa. We are using part of the funds for our water projects in Kenya.
Snohomish County Sports Commission
Tammy Dunn, Executive Director of the Snohomish County Sports Commission, presented an overview of the commission's work in promoting amateur sports and tourism in Snohomish County. Tammy is a member and a past President of the Rotary Club of Everett. Tammy has been in the sports tourism industry for more than 20 years. She enjoys Snohomish County as it reminds her of Belgrade/Bozeman, Montana, where she grew up. She enjoys reading, sports – any sport, and spending time outdoors.
Students Recognized
Arlington, Darrington & Lakewood Districts
Twice per year, our club honors students selected by their school staff as outstanding. On January 29, our club hosted students, their families, and school staff from middle and high schools across the three school districts. With funds generated from the club's annual Duck Dash fundraiser, each student recognized a charitable organization to receive a $100 donation from the club.
Before introducing our club's Youth Services Associate Director, Mel Simpson, President Bob told our guests a bit about Rotary and the youth programs that our club sponsors. Mel also spoke about Rotary’s International Student Exchange program. The intent of both Bob's and Mel’s remarks was to inform the students and family in attendance about these opportunities.
In the above photo, joining the Arlington and Lakewood Superintendents, Chrys Sweating on the far left, and Erin Murphy on the far
Apple Cup
Too Good to Be Through
When the Apple Cup rivalry between WSU and the U of W is the topic of the January 22 club program, it brings out the die-hard club members (and a former club member) with their school colors to hear from the author of “Too Good to Be Through.” Bud Withers is a veteran of 31 Apple Cups and a retired sports reporter for both the Seattle Times and the Seattle PI. He is a 1970 graduate of WSU.
Computer Scams & Hacks
Lance Coupaud, Whitehorse IT Solutions, LLC
Our program on January 15 was our own Lance Coupaud with Whitehorse IT Solutions. He focused on the rise of sophisticated scams affecting individuals and organizations. In his IT business, he is often called to fix damage caused by a hack on his customers' computers and hears their complaints about being scammed out of their money.
Our International Projects
At our January 8 meeting, the international project team of Barney and George updated us on the projects in the Dominican Republic.
George and Barney discussed a completed reservoir project and ongoing initiatives, including a 30,000-gallon water tank project in Clavelina, Dominican Republic, that will provide year-round water access to approximately 650 families. The club's $8,000 contribution, matched by the Everett Rotary Club, will leverage into a $60,000 project through Rotary Foundation funding. The presentation also covered a shade garden project that has expanded from 9 to 20 gardens, with the Ministry of Agriculture offering to cover fertilizer and pesticide costs, and a literacy program that has distributed about 11,000 books to 11 elementary schools.
This was an update to the presentation that our international project team gave us on September 4. Here is a link to a previous story, including a link to the program on our YouTube channel.: September 4 Story
We Are A Club of Excellence!
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.
Let 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/
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Service Above Self Since 1970
(Hadley Community Room)
Arlington, WA 98223
United States of America