Service Above Self for 3,900 weeks – 75 years that the St. Louis Park Rotary Club has been meeting and making a difference in the community. The club celebrated on April 28 at the Twin Cities Film Fest lounge at The Shops at West End.

 

Club President Derek Reise told the audience, “Rotary has changed a lot in the last three-quarters of a century – as has the world. We will continue to adapt on how we operate,
but we will always stay true in our values and unite to create lasting change.”

 

Over the years, the club:
- helped found the nonprofit Children First
- initiated the Operation Jumpstart mentoring program for St. Louis Park High School students
- provides college scholarships to students
- sponsors a summer concert series
- helped found the Keep Every Youth Safe organization
- conducts service projects for charities
- provides grants to organizations like the St. Louis Park Emergency Program and
St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts.

 

St. Louis Park Mayor Jake Spano issued a proclamation recognizing Rotary’s significance to the community. He noted that the club annually donates up to $40,000 for initiatives like Children First, the Parktacular festival, Westwood Hills Nature Center art installations, youth sports, scholarships and other endeavors.

 

The club meets Mondays for lunch at Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park.