MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
With our growing community of 1.4 million members,
located around the world.
WE TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES
Rotarians invest approximately 47 million volunteer hours every year, into improving the lives of those around them
WE FUND SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
Rotary awarded $333 million to global service initiatives throughout the 2020 pandemic
Join Us
Last Meeting of the Month Social
July 31, 2024
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
New Member Celebration!
1125 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale, FL
First Service Project of the Year
Thank you, Dan!
Rotary School Supply Drive 2024
Amazon Gift Registry
Deadline: August 16, 2024
For more information contact
Dan Rizzi at [email protected].
Volunteer Opportunity - In Jacob's Shoes Service Project
The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale will be partnering with the Pompano Beach Rotary Club on this service project.
In Jacobs Shoes is a 501(c)3 public charity in memory of Jacob S. Zweig located in South Florida which provides children in need the opportunity to walk with pride and go to school and play sports with dignity. In Jacob's shoes provides new and gently used shoes, socks, backpacks, school supplies, and athletic gear to children in need and living in poverty. Many of these children will not get a new pair of shoes for back-to-school or will not be able to play sports because they don't have the right pair of shoes.
Rotarians can bring the shoes - all sizes - to the meeting on July 17 or July 24 or to the warehouse on July 27 located at 1809 South Powerline Rd, Suite 111, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 and help us clean and pack shoes and assemble backpacks.
If interested in this charity, check site online for other ways you can contribute.
CONTACT:
EVELYN CIOCCO
305 781 2127 - PLEASE, TEXT ONLY
Dan Rizzi
2024-2025 Club President
Club President Letter 2024-25
Dear Rotarians and Friends of Rotary:
I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the role of your 102nd President for the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale. As we embark on this new year, I stand humbled by the legacy of our esteemed past presidents who, for over a century, have leveraged their knowledge and dedication to build a remarkable organization committed to service.
Rotary International’s Theme: The Magic of Rotary
This year’s theme, “The Magic of Rotary,” compels us to consider the transformative power of our collective efforts. Imagine a world free from polio, with communities empowered to secure clean water, cultivate their own food, and connect via bridges that bring families and education closer. This, my fellow Rotarians, is the magic we create when we unite in service.
The Enduring Impact of the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale
Locally, the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale has consistently embodied this spirit. Our enduring impact is evident in a multitude of initiatives, including:
- Partnering with Challenge Air to provide transformative flight experiences for 84 children facing physical and mental challenges, with the invaluable support of 19 pilots, 160 volunteers, and generous sponsors.
- Annually distributing hundreds of toys and gifts to brighten the holidays for underprivileged children and seniors.
- Awarding over $3 million in scholarships to deserving students within the Fort Lauderdale school district.
- Supporting the Wheelchair Foundation, fostering mobility for those in need.
Beyond Service, Building Community
We foster strong bonds within our club through:
- Engaging monthly socials and happy hours, fostering connections and camaraderie.
- Annual events like Thanksgiving baskets, Salvation Army bell ringing, and festive holiday and fall picnics that celebrate the joy of giving and shared experiences.
- Disaster relief efforts whenever communities face hardship.
A Look Forward
While we celebrate our past achievements, we also embrace new initiatives designed to elevate our service and engagement. These include:
- Weekly member introductions, fostering deeper connections within the club.
- Inviting inspiring speakers from the business community to share their expertise.
- Reintroducing the “Teacher of the Year” program, recognizing outstanding contributions within the educational sector.
- Establishing a “Rotarians Honoring Rotarians” program, acknowledging the exceptional contributions of dedicated members throughout their years of service.
Invitation to Serve and Connect
The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale offers a unique space for individuals who seek to serve their community while forging meaningful connections. Our weekly meetings, held Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Global Event Center at First Baptist Church in downtown Fort Lauderdale, followed by a social gathering on the last Wednesday of the month at a local venue, provide the perfect opportunity to experience the magic firsthand.
We warmly invite you to join us as a guest. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Together, let’s continue to weave the magic of Rotary, one act of service at a time.
Sincerely,
Daniel Rizzi President 2024-2025
Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale
Volunteer With Us
As we begin our Rotary year, here is a quick reminder of the service projects we have on our schedule so far. We do not have exact dates for everything, but please keep these projects in mind and be on the lookout for more information. If you would like to help with any of these projects, please contact the chair directly. If you have ideas for new projects, please contact Kristin LaFleur or St. George Guardabassi.
- School Supplies Drive for Broward Education Foundation – collecting now
- In Jacob’s Shoes – partnering with Pompano Beach RC – collecting now – Chair Evelyn Ciocco
- Hispanic Unity of Florida – Tony Abbate – August 3, 2024
- Find Your Way Home – Jorg Hruschka – Select Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Holiday Toy Drive – Linda Cooke – October – December
- Thanksgiving Baskets – Steve Botkin – November
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Steve Botkin – December
- Challenge Air – Dan Rizzi – January 2025
- Agape Love Breakfast – Gail Auguston-Koppen – February
Rotarians In Action