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Club events

15 November | Rotary Club of North Charleston, South Carolina

Race for Life 5K Run/Walk

In its second year, this race takes place at Brown Family Park. All 5K participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and finisher medal. Held in partnership with Together We Are Helping Hands, the event will promote awareness for mental health, autism, and dementia, and also fund annual college scholarships for North Charleston high school seniors.

23 November | Rotary Club of Lynnfield, Massachusetts

Turkey Trot

A popular pre-Thanksgiving race since 2009, this 5K has in recent years honored the memory of Lynnfield resident Julie Routhier, who died of cancer in 2022. The club partners with the Julie Routhier Foundation to sponsor the event, which starts at Lynnfield Town Hall. Among the scholarships that the club funds with the proceeds is one in Routhier’s name that is awarded to a high school senior pursuing a career in teaching.

26 November - 31 December | Rotary Club of Lake Country-Hartland, Wisconsin

Yule Feed Families

This holiday fundraiser and food drive was founded in 1991 by longtime club members Gary Jasiek and Scott Peterson and for many years was organized in partnership with the newspaper they both worked for. Since its inception, the annual campaign has collected more than $1 million in donations and tens of thousands of grocery items for five food pantries in the Lake Country area of Waukesha County. This year, the club hopes to raise at least $55,000.

Tell us about your club’s upcoming event: Write to magazine@rotary.org and put “calendar” in the subject line. To be considered for inclusion in Rotary magazine’s print edition, submissions must be received at least five months before the event.

27 November | Rotary Club of Perry Township (Canton), Ohio

Turkey Trot

Each year, hundreds of families in the Canton area turn out on Thanksgiving morning for this event at Central Catholic High School. The main race is a 5K run/walk, while the Little Gobbler Run offers a shorter course for kids under 10 years old. Awards are given to the top three male and female finishers overall and in various age divisions. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits.

28 November-31 December | Eight Rotary clubs in District 6250 (parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota)

Holiday Light Show

Since 1995, Rotary clubs in and around La Crosse, Wisconsin, have put on an extravagant display of lights that draws thousands of people to Riverside Park each holiday season. Opening night is the day after Thanksgiving and includes a parade and fireworks. Santa and his reindeer roam the park nightly through 23 December, and carriage rides, hayrides, and a live nativity are offered on select evenings. Admission is free; organizers encourage donations of cash and nonperishable food items to benefit local food pantries.

4 December | Rotary Club of Hattiesburg (Sunrise), Mississippi

Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

One hour. Fifty teams. A whole lot of candy. These are the essential ingredients for a contest in which people of all ages race to build the best-looking gingerbread house, decorated with confections like candy canes and chocolates. The finished structures are judged by a jury of community members, who award cash prizes of $100, $250, and $500. Proceeds benefit local projects and nonprofits.

4-7 December | Rotary Club of Greenville, South Carolina

Holiday Fair and Kringle Village

In 2021 the club launched the Kringle Village, an annual European-style Christmas market. Last year the village merged with the Greenville Convention Center’s long-running Holiday Fair to provide people in South Carolina’s Upstate region with a single spectacular event for seasonal shopping and entertainment. Visitors can browse the wares of more than 400 vendors, enjoy live musical performances, meet Santa, and more. Proceeds benefit local projects and nonprofits.

5-7 December | Rotary Club of Hammonton, New Jersey

Winterfest

This weekend festival offers something for everyone. Under a large heated outdoor tent, dozens of vendors sell arts, crafts, food, and drinks, while a high school jazz band and chorus make merry music. Activities for kids include balloon art and face painting. On Saturday morning, the Galloping Grinch 5K race takes off from the fairgrounds. Attendees are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys or nonperishable food items for local families in need.

13 December | District 7950 (Rhode Island and part of Massachusetts)

Family Day on the Polar Express

Rotary members and their families are invited to hop aboard the Polar Express, a 90-minute ride on a vintage train with a view of “the North Pole.” The fun-filled experience begins at the historic Blackstone Valley station in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and is produced by the local tourism council. To foster holiday spirit and camaraderie, the district has reserved an 88-seat train car, with discounted tickets sold by the Rotary Club of Woonsocket.

20 December | Rotary Club of Georgetown-Sun City, Texas

Breakfast with Santa

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the club’s holiday breakfast, which fills bellies and warms hearts as hundreds of families feast on pancakes and sausage and take photos with Santa. The proceeds, which reached almost $30,000 last year, provide food-related assistance to children and families in the central Texas communities that the club serves.