Community Service

Service to our local communities lies at the heart of Rotary. At University Sunrise we engage in a range of activities designed to make a positive impact in Seattle. We partner with several local non-profit organizations to strengthen our community and help those in need.

We plant trees, collect donations for food banks and homeless service centers, distribute dictionaries to 3rd graders in low income areas, and a whole lot more.

One of our favorite annual activities is the annual Sand Point Block Party. Held in cooperation with Solid Ground, we provide an afternoon of fun, free picnic food and a chance for socializing for the low income housing community located at Magnuson Park. An exciting, rewarding event for all of us, community and Rotarians, alike!

Photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/27966439955/in/album-72157669780930921/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/albums/72157669780930921/

We also hold the most fun, most exciting fundraiser anywhere, Debuts and Discoveries. At our February, 2016 event, over 700 people were able to sample from new wineries, distilleries, breweries and cideries and from several participating food trucks. Proceeds went to support our charitable activities and a special $10,000 contribution to one of our favorites, Outdoors for All,. a non-profit with the mission of enriching the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities, through outdoor recreation.

Photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/25330497901/in/album-72157665325886656/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/albums/72157665325886656/with/25330497901/

With a variety of service activities, there’s something for every member to participate in. Here are some more of our recent service events:

Teen Feed

Teen Feed works with the community to meet basic needs, build strong relationships, and help homeless youth as they meet their future off the streets. We have collected food and clothing for Teen Feed and on October 3 we had a great time cooking and serving dinner for homeless teens at University Lutheran Church.

Santa at El Centro de la Raza

Each holiday season, one of our members suits up as Santa, a gig he also performs for Nordstrom, and poses with kids from the preschool and elementary grades at El Centro de La Raza, on Capitol Hill. Even the seniors from the on-site home come by. It is cuteness beyond description and everybody gets a photo with Santa.

Photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/15371788016/in/album-72157648170777672/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/30924336262/in/album-72157648170777672/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/31030908326/in/album-72157648170777672/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/albums/72157648170777672

We participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Most of us have been touched by cancer, either personally or through the loss of a loved one. Our club’s cancer survivors and supporters of cancer research and prevention participate in the Relay and raise funds to help fight this very prevalent disease.

Photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/20671857110/in/album-72157657305753170/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/albums/72157657305753170/with/20671857110/

Food Drive for University District Food Bank

We regularly hold a food drive at a local supermarket for University District Food Bank. Customers are very generous and we have provided several tons of very welcome staple items to the food bank.

Photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/15394559342/in/album-72157647767246979/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/albums/72157647767246979/with/15394559342/

Dictionaries for Third Graders

Each year, we distribute dictionaries to 3rd graders in schools serving low income communities. For many kids the dictionaries are the first books of their very own. The excitement is infectious.

Photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/27657034552/in/album-72157669845558176/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125163167@N05/albums/72157669845558176

Donation to Outdoors for All – 2016

2016’s Debuts and Discoveries event raised $10,000 for Outdoors for All, a non-profit with the mission of enriching the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities, through outdoor recreation.

Holiday Lights

We have donated holiday lighting, cash and cheer to low income families in our community.

Food Drive for Urban Rest Stop

Our food drive raised a lot of goods and a carload of bottled water for these organizations helping the homeless in Seattle’s University District.

Tree planting

We plant trees and native plants at Discovery and Magnuson, not always in the rain…

If you have a service idea you’d like to promote, come join a team of community activists  and explore the possibilities!