Held annually since 2021, our Rotarians volunteer and participate in the 5k Turkey Trot to raise funds for the Sunrise Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. This is a beautiful and thankful way to start a beautiful and thank-filled day - Thanksgiving! Walk, jog, run, or pursue a personal best, whatever you prefer — this is the place to achieve it. Lake Junaluska, and this course, are the perfect host and backdrop to take pause, reflect, and be thankful. This is a fundraiser to support our youth programming initiatives. Click here to learn more:
Waynesville-Sunrise Rotary has also partnered with Haywood Pathways to support many initiatives that help them fulfill their mission. These efforts include the development of the career and education resource room at the Myr-Ken Family House (i.e., laptops, wireless router, printers, and other resources). Additionally, the Holy Cow Food Truck has also been supported through investments (i.e., point-of-sale system, generator, commercial kitchen improvements, etc.) from the club and foundation. Over $10,000 has been invested in these projects.
Haywood Habitat for Humanity
The club has prioritized working with the Haywood Habitat for Humanity organization. In order to help support their building projects. Primary focus has been on investing in the Women’s Build Initiatives for female led households. Nearly $10,000 has been invested to date.
Cup of Sunshine Fundraiser
The Sunrise Rotary Foundation established the “Cup of Sunshine“ fundraiser. Patrons will receive an original handcrafted mug, filled with coffee, for a suggested donation of $20. Proceeds will support local community development projects and service work focused on youth leadership and entrepreneurship development.
Each month, Waynesville Sunrise Rotary Club and the Sunrise Rotary Foundation identify and celebrate a leader from Waynesville Middle School. This is a student who has been observed leading, serving, and giving from a place of care. Student recipients are celebrated at the monthly assembly and recognized by members of the WSRC and SRF.
YOULEAD (HAYWOOD)
In development. Haywood County's YOUth Leader, Entrepreneur, and Developer (YOULEAD) program focuses on identifying high school students with leadership potential and entrepreneurial spirit that can serve as the talent and fuel our community needs to realize a brighter future. In this program selected participants will learn about their own leadership approach/style, how to identify challenges and opportunities, tap into their creativity, apply best practice tools and resources, learn from local leaders across various industries (e.g., small business, non-profit, government, health, & education), and develop the mindset needed to implement their idea.
Christmas Boxes
Club members sponsor and/or deliver food boxes to local families. This program is supported by additional Rotary Clubs in Haywood County.
Club members sponsor gifts for children identified as being at-risk. Gifts include coats, clothing, shoes, and toys which are wrapped and delivered by Santa to the children during a special luncheon held in the children's honor.
SonRise Community OutReach
Our club partners with SonRise Community OutReach in West Asheville to serve a free breakfast to the hungry several times each year. Check out our calendar to find the next time you can find our Rotarians at work!
Haywood County Schools
Our club partners with local schools in the Haywood County Schools system to provide assistance to students in need. Past service projects include fundraising for libraries to purchase books and iPads. Each year our club hosts a Christmas party for students from a local elementary school whose families struggle financially. Contact us at [email protected]to find out how you can join us in Serving Humanity!
Montero, Bolivia
Every year Rotarian Dr. David Markoff of Mountain Eye Associates travels to Montero, Bolivia to perform surgeries in partnership with Consejo de Salud Rural Andino (CSRA). Other club members travel with Dr. Markoff to assist in the clinic or to participate in other service projects in the community.