Stories

A team from the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club has returned from the Ecuadorian Amazon after installing a WallSpring Safe Water System for the Achuar community of Kutsutkao—bringing the village its first reliable source of safe, clean, drinkable water.

 

The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club has donated $1,000 to the Estes Park Police Department’s annual Blue Santa Program, helping ensure that local families in need experience a brighter and more joyful holiday season.

 

The Blue Santa Program, organized by the Estes Park Police Department, provides gifts, food, and essential household items to families who may be struggling during the holidays. With rising costs affecting many area residents, community support plays a critical role in meeting the growing need.

 

“Our Rotary Club is honored to support the Blue Santa Program again this year,” said Gordon Slack, President of Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary. “Blue Santa reflects the spirit of service that defines Estes Park—neighbors helping neighbors. We are grateful to the Estes Park Police Department for their leadership and for the care they show to families in our community.”

 

Police Captain Rick Life expressed appreciation for the Rotary’s contribution, noting that donations like this directly support children and families identified by local schools, nonprofits, and community partners. “The generosity of Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary helps us reach more families and bring much-needed joy during the holidays,” the Captain said.

 

Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary raises funds throughout the year to support humanitarian and youth programs locally and internationally. Their gift to the Blue Santa Program underscores the club’s commitment to strengthening the Estes Park community through service, partnerships, and compassionate action.

Out of more than 46,000 clubs worldwide, the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club recently achieved a remarkable charitable milestone that distinguishes them above most – a 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club. They are only 1 of 2 Clubs in District 5440 to achieve this distinction.

                                           

 

 

 

Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary won a $5000 grant from Dignity Memorial® for use at the Veterans Community Project (VCP) in Longmont, Colorado.  This grant will completely outfit the inside of a Tiny Home for one lucky Veteran.

 

VCP Longmont is a crossover venture between Veterans Community Project, the City of Longmont, and HMS Development. Located on a 2-acre property, approximately 13 miles northeast of Boulder, the Village will feature 26 tiny houses and a 3,000-square foot Community Center. Each single residency home is 240-square feet; the Village's five family homes are 340-square feet and can sleep up to 7. 

 

VCP’s solution can provide Veterans a home of their own and individualized, wraparound support services that not only help get them back on their feet but ensure they continue standing.

 

The VCP Village consists of tiny homes that provide everything a Veterans needs to live with dignity and security: new furniture, appliances, housewares, bedding, and utilities- all free of charge. The Village Community Center provides on-site support services as well as a place for residents to socialize and build a strong network of support with other Veterans. 

 

Veterans Community Project is truly the community's project. Each year, thousands of volunteers help build tiny houses, organize donation drives, host fundraisers, or find other creative ways to serve those who served us. As the weather improves, Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club is planning to get involved with an all-Club Service Project to support our Veterans in a hands-on way. In the meantime, Sunrise Rotarians were happy to furnish one tiny home with the $5,000 grant from Dignity Memorial®.

 

Dignity Memorial®  - Serving families is our passion, our commitment and our expertise. Whether you’re planning a funeral or cremation service for a loved one, or making your own arrangements in advance, meaningful life celebrations begin with Dignity Memorial’s compassionate funeral and event planners. 

 

Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club meets each Tuesday for breakfast starting at 7:00 am at the American Legion Post 119.  For those interested in discovering more about the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club, check out their website at https://portal.clubrunner.ca/5242/.

For more than 40 years, Rotary Youth Exchange has been one of Rotary’s best-known programs. As an official program, it dates to 1975 — but by that time, Rotary clubs had already been sending students abroad for decades with the aim of promoting international understanding and friendship.

 

In September 2023, the Rotary Club of Estes Park and the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club welcomed Lucia “Lucy” Miano into the Estes Park Rotary family by presenting her with an official Rotary Youth Exchange Badge.