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
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Rotary Cares Grant Report
Grateful Grant Report
Date: May 9, 2025
Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale & Rotary District
Dear Esteemed Partners,
We are immensely grateful for your generous donation of $4,000 toward the Rotary Cares project. Your support has enabled us to expand our reach and maximize the impact of our work within the Fort Lauderdale community. Thanks to your commitment, we were able to leverage these funds to engage a wide network of local non-profits, creating a ripple effect that benefitted countless individuals.
Key Collaborations and Community Impact
Through our partnership with organizations such as the Christian Life Center, Firewall Center, and the City and Rotary Community Corps of Fort Lauderdale, we spearheaded several service opportunities that have made a tangible difference in the lives of many. Our concerted efforts reached:
Disadvantaged Students: Initiatives at Walker, Westwood Heights, and North Fork elementary schools ensured that resource rooms were restocked with vital supplies, reinforcing our support for educational excellence.
Homeless Community Assistance: In collaboration with Ruth Ministries, Lifenet4 Families, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale network, we supplemented collection and distribution drives with the grant funds. This allowed us to assemble nearly a thousand hygiene and care packages for those in need from November 2024 to May 2025.
A Highlight Event: The Peanut Butter and Jelly Challenge
One of the marquee events of our initiative was the Peanut Butter and Jelly Challenge, presented by the Rotary Community Corps during Fort Lauderdale Cares Day. On the morning of April 26, over 240 dedicated volunteers—from Rotary, Firewall Center, Christian Life Center, to American Heritage—collaborated to prepare 8,600 PB&J sandwiches. These sandwiches were then distributed to 14 local non-profits, directly serving members of our homeless community and illustrating the unity and shared vision that makes our city so special.
A Shared Vision for a Better Fort Lauderdale
Your unwavering support is a testament to your commitment to our local community. By investing in the people and spaces that make Fort Lauderdale vibrant, you help create an environment where everyone can live, work, play, and raise their families with pride. Our shared vision is clear: to make Fort Lauderdale the city you never want to leave. With your indispensable generosity, each step we take brings us closer to this dream.
We deeply appreciate your trust and commitment. With you by our side, we look forward to continuing this fruitful partnership, fostering a healthier, happier, and more connected community for all. Thank you once again for your enthusiastic support.
Warm regards,
Jorg Hruschka
Community Service Chair | Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale
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.
- Find Your Way Home – Jorg Hruschka – Select Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Holiday Toy Drive – Linda Cooke – October – December
- Thanksgiving Baskets – Steve Botkin – November 23
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Steve Botkin – December 7
- Challenge Air – Dan Rizzi – January 2025
Rotarians In Action