Benzie Sunrise Rotary is a volunteer service club whose 48+ members donate their time and resources to help others in the community and beyond. Oour motto is “Service Above Self,” and we strive to live by Rotary's Four-Way Test. Our primary mission is to imporve the lives and futures of the youth of Benzie County. In the fall of 2010, we began working with the administration at the Benzie County Central Schools, looking for ways to support the schools in educating their students. We are proud of the partnership we have forged with the school district allowing us to serve district students in a variety of ways: At Benzie Elementary and Middle Schools: - PoWeR! Book Bags where all Benzie Central students, grades K – 3rd, are able to select two free books two times a year.
- Reading is Fundamental, reading two times a year to students in all of the 1st grade classes
- Dictionary program for students in all of the 3rd grade classes
- Assisting annually with the Webber Winter Wear Give-away at all three Benzie Central elementary schools.
- Serving as team guides for the 6th grade class’s participation in the annual Crystal Lake Walkabout.
- Serving as small group chaperones during the 8th grade class’s participation in NMC’s Building Tomorrow career experience.
At Benzie Central High School: - Sponsoring and co-advising the High School Interact Club.
- Chaperoning 10th grade students annually on a college exploration trip to Northwest Michigan College.
- Coordinating, sponsoring, and chaperoning 11th grade students annually on a college & career awareness experience at Ferris State University in Big Rapids.
- Coordinating annually, in collaboration with BEST Benzie County and the Frankfort Rotary Club, the Career Exploration Day for 12th grade students.
- Sponsoring Benzie Central students at Rotary’s Life Leadership Conference.
- Providing Benzie Bus passes to support student participation in after school activities.
- Awarding three $1000 one-year renewable scholarships to graduating seniors
Internationally: - Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio in the world, we hold Pints for Polio event, a collaboration with Five Shores and St Ambrose who donate $1 per pint sold for a week, with the club matching that, and the Gates Foundation matching 2 to 1.
- Providing funding support to the Traverse Bay Sunrise Rotary Club’s Malawi Bicycle Share program
- Providing funding support for the Mayan Education & Support Alliance - Guatemala
- Providing funding support for the Haiti National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Project (HANWASH)
To support our many projects and programs, our Club raises more than $24,000 annually by organizing and hosting two major fundraisers: - Benefit Golf Outing
- Bike Benzie Tour registrations
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