Rotary Club of Parker Foundation

Rotary Club of Parker

For 31 years the Rotary Club of Parker has embodied the Rotary International Motto of Service Above Self with a commitment to supporting the Parker community and surrounding area.  The Rotary Club of Parker was chartered in 1993 and is comprised of service-minded individuals and professional men and women who desire to build a better world by emphasizing service activities and creating greater understanding among all people.  In 2003 the Rotary Club of Parker Foundation was formed as the non-profit arm of the Rotary Club.  Rotarians actively embrace the motto Service above Self by annually supporting both local and international projects impacting the following organizations. 

MISSION 

The Club’s main focus is to support our community by gathering neighbors, friends and problem-solvers to share ideas, join with leaders and take action through service initiatives which create lasting, positive change in our community. We serve the local, national, and international community and raise funds through several fundraising projects. 

Community Involvement - Annual Supporting Projects

Signature Projects - 2024

Affinity Ranch (Praying Hands Ranch)

1. Donated Oven to kitchen
2. Multiple Sensory Gardening Days
3. Installed Horse Exercise Track
4. Updated & Painted Arena Fence
5. Painted and added shelves to garden shed (Eagle Scout Project)
6. Preparing Huts for Transport for Mental Health Project
7. Unloading Huts for Mental Health Project
8. Holiday with Horses PHR Fund Raiser Volunteering
9. Donated to yearly fundraising

Parker Task Force

6 Food Drives

Packaged 4,000 Dry Food Meals

Donated Plastic Bags

Grant for School Supplies and Utility Bill Support

Donation

Town of Parker - O’Brien Park Gazebo 

We have had a longstanding relationship with the Town of Parker, including constructing and gifting O’Brien Park in 2005 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Rotary International. This important, year-round gathering place has become the heart of Parker. Rotary Club members continue to contribute to its maintenance and landscaping.  The Rotary Club of Parker, in partnership with the Town of Parker and the Parker Chamber of Commerce contracted for the installing permanent LED, multi-colored lighted along both roof lines. 

Town of Parker - Flagpole, Markers & Gardening

We partnered with the Town of Parker in funding the O'Brien Park Flagpole and surrounding markers honoring our nation’s five military branches. We continue to help with gardening at O'Brien Park and Harvie Open Space. 

Sustaining Projects - 2024

Project Cure

1. Volunteering

Crisis Center

1. Donation

Denver Indian Center

• Assembling and handing out Thanksgiving Baskets
• Wrapping Christmas Presents and handing out
• Donation

Harvey Park

1. Stewardship Days

VFW Dog Tags for Life

1. Donation

Rocky Vista MASH Camp

1. Volunteering

Salvation Army

• Bell ringing

Mile High Honor Flight

1. Donation

Santa’s Helpers

• Grant
• Volunteering

International Involvement - Current and Past Projects

Open World

1. Hosting Delegation from Uzbekistan

Donations

1. Kapadia Edu Foundation
2. Shelter Box
3. Respire Haiti
4. Love Action Movement South Africa

Global Grants Supported

1. Student Health Club Kenya
2. Water Project Ghana
3. Community Health & Empowerment Clubs Kenya
4. Western Alliance of Kenya against Malaria

Youth Service

Signature Project - Make-a-Wish Foundation 

• Toy drive for claw machine
• Wishes and Sprinkles party for families in waiting

Sustaining Projects - 2024

Student of the Month

1. Recognized 16 Students of the month from Ponderosa and Chaparral High Schools

Scholarships

1. Awarded 6 $1,800 scholarships

Exchange Student

1. Hosted student from Spain (Mario) at the Dishong’s home

Youth Mental Health

1. New program focused on youth in Douglas County

Young Rotary Interact Clubs

• Sagewood Middle School chartered this year bringing club total to 3 Interact Club sponsorships:
  • Gold Rush Elementary,
  • Sagewood Middle School
  • Chaparral High School.
• Introducing Rotary to elementary, middle & high school students.

RYLA/YRYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award - Young RYLA)

1. Sponsored 5 students, 1 RYLA & 4 YRYLA

Festival of Trees

1. Donated decorated Christmas tree for auction to raise funds for additional books & special programs at Cimmaron Middle School

Rotarian Smile Makers

1. Santa’s Helpers visiting and providing a presence at Care Homes and Hospitals during holiday season