Activities and Service

Sunrise Rotary is active in several ongoing service projects. Our "International Committee" provides service to three areas that, together, address "Mind, Body and Spirit."  The "Club Service" committee offers a service project for members to participate in every month.  Additionally, our club organizes a yearly fundraising event called "Brats and Bags," from which all proceeds are donated to the Midwest Food Bank. 

International Service

Mind

South Africa Traveling Library Project

Dorothy Kennett, member of the Normal Rotary Club, has initiated a traveling library in South Africa.  With the Sunset, Bloomington, and Normal Rotary Clubs, Sunrise Rotarians have raised funds and donated books for this library.  Specifically, Sunrise Rotarians help sponsor and organize the "Tour de Metro," a tour of homes in downtown Bloomington that raises funds for the traveling library.

Body

Water Project - India

Sunrise Rotary has partnered with the Indore, India, Meghdoot Rotary Club to provide four wells to four rural schools near Indore, India.  The wells were completed in the spring of 2010 and are providing clean, fresh water to just over 1,000 school children. The money for the project came from several sources: Sunrise Rotary fundraising, the Sunrise Foundation, Rotary District 6490, and our Indian partners. The Indore Meghdoot club also coordinated the logistics of project from start to finish. Surinder Sethi, of the Normal Sunset Rotary Club, was also instumental in the coordination of this project.  See what Rotarians can do when we all work together!

Spirit

River of Life Ministries

River of Life Care Home in Romania is a Christian transitional home and refuge for women and their children who have no financial or social support resources, are either pregnant or have children who are at risk of abuse or neglect, have little or no education, job or social skills, and do not want to abandon their children but want to change their lives.  The Care Home also has outreaches into the villages through the Cornesti Christian Center (church/camps/group activities), Village and Medical Ministries.  On the horizon is an elder facility, the Maria House, which is a "mirror image" of the Care Home, but will meet the needs of the often neglected elderly.

Club Service

Sunrise Rotarians stay busy serving in our community.  Here are just some of the activities in which we've been involved.

Timber Pointe

Sunrise Rotarians are especially proud of the work they've done for the Easter Seals Timber Pointe Outdoor center on Lake Bloomington.  Sunrise Rotary spearheaded a capital campaign that funded the construction of a gorgeous $3 million dollar lodge at Timber Pointe.  The undertaking became a joint project with the Sunset, Normal and Bloomington clubs, and couldn't have been accomplished without combined efforts.

Timber Pointe Outdoor Center provides specialized and inclusive camping and respite programming for individuals with disabilities or special needs and their families in a safe, accessible, and beautiful environment at Lake Bloomington.

Brats and Bags

Sunrise Rotary is proud of our signature fundraising event: "Brats and Bags." This day-long event includes a grilled bratwurst lunch (delivery available!) in downtown Bloomington, followed by a double-elimination "Bags" tournament (brats still available!).  The event is open to the whole family!  Proceeds help support the Midwest Food Bank.  More information about this event can be found by clicking HERE.

Social Activities

We like to serve, and we like to have fun (and the two aren't mutually exclusive)!  Though it's not uncommon for Sunrise Rotarians to hold informal gatherings at community events at which we tend to find ourselves, our formally scheduled social events include:

Frequent happy hour social gatherings (all Rotary Clubs invited!) in conjunction with First Fridays in Downtown Bloomington. Check the Member Resources page for the time and location of the next happy hour!

The yearly Chili Cookoff. 

A field trip.  Recently we've taken trips to Springfield. With a Lincoln expert in our club, we have greatly enjoyed the annual "Lincoln Tour" that includes a narrated bus tour to Springfield to learn more about our influential President.  Guy Fraker is, unquestionably, the smartest (and most fun) Lincoln guide around!

The outstanding annual Christmas party at Julie and Bob Dobski's home.  This is the party of the year; you don't want to miss this one!

Baseball Games - we love the Cornbelters!