Rotarians work together to carry out service projects that improve the quality of life in their community and communities around the world. A successful service project has:
The projects of the Lakewood Rotary Club matches the club’s own mission and those of the Rotary International.
Lakewood’s Project Shepherd program collects cash donations and gifts of staple food items to help hundreds of Lakewood families in need. Donations are made primarily during the winter holidays, but are welcomed throughout the year. In addition to the annual holiday giving program, offers assistance to families needing one-time help paying utilities bills.
Project Shepherd operates via the work of volunteers from the Rotary Club of Lakewood, Lakewood schools, and many Lakewood organizations and individuals. Rotarians work closely with City personnel and community businesses to help collect food items, sort and package the gift bundles, and assist with their distribution to the needy.
In addition to the annual holiday giving program, Project Shepherd organizes an annual backpack drive which is held each year during the month of August to help children who are in need of school supplies. Lakewood Rotarians donate cash and school supplies to support the program and then help prepare the backpacks for distribution to Lakewood’s youth who will benefit from the gift.
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is an intensive 3-day leadership workshop for high school students in their pivotal junior year. The Rotary Club of Lakewood is proud to sponsor one high school junior from each of the high schools in the Lakewood community to participate in this valuable experience.
The Rotary Club of Lakewood is pleased to support a High School Scholarship Program. This program is open to students who are graduating from a Lakewood area high school and are planning to continue their education beyond high school.
These scholarships seek students who have overcome adversity or challenges in receiving their high school diploma; have exhibited good citizenship and respect for human values; have assisted in some way in making their community a better place in which to live; and have a sincere desire to complete a post-high school education.
Click here for the 2022 High School Scholarship Application
The Rotary Club of Lakewood is committed to supporting the greater Lakewood community and proudly supports the following organizations as they provide resources and programs to fill very specific needs of the community:
Promoting Rotary is what we do best. Face-to-face opportunities to interact with community members are a worthwhile investment at city sponsored special events where a great many people have an opportunity to see the faces of the Rotary Club of Lakewood.
The Rotary Club of Lakewood is one of many community groups who participate in “Feasts from the Heart”, whereby Rotarians come and cook a meal for families staying at the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House.
In many communities and cultures, it is traditional for friends and neighbors to prepare meals for their loved ones who are caring for a sick family member. It is an act of kindness that translates feelings of concern into a tangible expression of human compassion. When parents return to the Ronald McDonald House after a long day at the hospital it is nice to have a hot, delicious home-cooked meal prepared by for them. In addition to coordinating an annual fundraiser to directly support the organization, Lakewood Rotarians provide meal service to families residing at the house multiple times a year.
Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting. Lakewood Rotarians support Interactors as area middle and high schools serving as guides and mentors, working alongside them on service projects. Each year, Interact clubs participate in community service projects. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships and learn leadership skills, personal integrity, helpfulness, respect for others, individual responsibility and hard work.
The Rotary Club of Lakewood has involved themselves in several international service projects over the years. Project include providing financial support for water projects in Africa, dental clinics in South America, and providing books and school supplies to the children in the Philippine’s. Most recently the club financed and provided volunteers to install a playground and preschool classroom in Matapalo, Guanacaste Costa Rica.