The Lakeland Rotary Club’s commitment to volunteerism is rooted in the motto “Service Above Self”. For over a century, its 170+ members have addressed local challenges by donating professional expertise, raising funds, and organizing hands-on volunteer efforts to improve the Lakeland community. The club’s extensive commitment is executed through targeted, year-round initiatives.
Service Projects
Lake Wire Clean Up
In partnership with The City of Lakeland and Keep Lakeland Beautiful, The Lakeland Rotary Club has “adopted” Lake Wire through the “Adopt-a-Lake” program. Club members volunteer throughout the year at scheduled “clean ups” that involves clearing any unwanted trash and debris along the shoreline before it washes into storm drains and pollutes the community’s precious lakes.
kidsPACK
This local organization is committed to ending child hunger in Polk County by providing backpacks filled with nutritious, non-perishable food for disadvantaged and homeless students in Polk County. A typical weekly pack includes enough food for two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, and snacks. This is meant to carry children through the weekends, holidays and summer months when school subsidized meals are unavailable. Lakeland Rotary Club members gather together at the kidsPACK warehouse several times a year to sort food and pack meals for upcoming deliveries.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Since the 1920s, The Lakeland Rotary Club has participated in the Salvation Army’s iconic holiday Kettle Campaign. During the month of December, club members can be found ringing the bell in front of the Lake Miriam Publix. Donations collected during the drive are donated to local families in need, providing essentials like food, shelter, utility assistance and disaster relief.
VISTE
During the holiday season, The Lakeland Rotary Club comes together to deliver hot meals and supplemental groceries to the organization’s elderly clients. In addition, Rotarians regularly volunteer at VISTE Serve Days by sorting food, organizing drinks and preparing donation items for distribution.
District Designated Funds
Special Events
Annual Golf Championship
Traditionally held in October, this annual charity scramble features an early morning shotgun start, on-course competitions, raffle drawings, silent auction and an awards luncheon. Proceeds from the tournament are donated to a local nonprofit organization. For the past two years, funds have supported The Polk County Veteran’s Council and its Flight To Honor program, which sponsors trips for local veterans to visit memorials erected in their honor in Washington, D.C. For the latest information about the upcoming tournament, registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit its designated website. If you are a veteran and would like to learn more about Polk County’s Flight to Honor, visit polkveteranscouncil.com.