News Release
The Mountain Empire Rotary (MER) started 2022 with a bang, hosting a recycling and shredding event Jan.15 in Sonoita. Many thanks to all residents who turned out for the event and their generous donations to the Club! Although this was not a fundraiser, your donations make it possible for the Club to continue to hold these events. REMEMBER that any donations you make to the Club go directly back into the community through the many projects the club provides throughout the year.
Members of the Club have now completed the distribution of the annual gift of dictionary/atlas books to students in Elgin, Patagonia, and the Patagonia Montessori Elementary Schools. On Valentines Day the Club distributed books to the pre-school students at the Patagonia School. The students were so thrilled to take home their new books! The Club continues to sponsor the Birthday Book project, where all students in Patagonia and Elgin select a book on their birthday.
Student of the Month at Patagonia High School is also in full swing, with winners receiving a $100 cash award from the Club. The teachers in a given subject select winners and subjects change from month to month. Congratulations go out to January winner Sophia Routledge (History), and February winner Madison Vines (English).
The Club is currently working on plans to install a Peace Pole in the community and managing the annual “4 WAY TEST” Speech Contest. This is a contest open to all high school students and we are lucky to have several students in Patagonia participating. The MER Club will select a candidate from the participating students to move onto the district level. The lucky winners at the district level will receive $1000 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd place, and $250 for 3rd place. Prizes can and will be awarded at the Club and Regional competitions as well.
Club members are also beginning to plan for the annual fundraising Golf Tournament, the event we hold with the Benson Rotary Club. Stay tuned for more information on that event and save the date, May 21, 2022. Club members are also working on partnering with the Nogales Industrial Rotary Club on school projects currently being implemented across the border.
The Club is active and excited about what we can contribute to the community this year. We love supporting the community and our youth and invite anyone from the community to attend our meetings and learn more about Rotary. We meet the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at 6p.m. Meetings are currently virtual. Our Rotary motto this year is “Serve to Change Lives” and that’s what we strive to do. We would love for you to join us in that effort! If you want to know more about Rotary, attend a meeting, or suggest a project, feel free to contact Reba Webber at rebawebber@yahoo.com or your favorite Rotarian.