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 involve 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
Any donations club members make to Rotary International’s annual fund – SHARE is invested for three years. After three years, 50% of the donations remain in the World Fund to support global initiatives, and the other 50% is returned to the club to support local nonprofits. Local grants are determined by the Lakeland Rotary Club’s Board of Directors and presented at weekly meetings throughout the spring season.
| 2026 Recipients | 2025 Recipients |
| America 250 Path to Freedom – $1,000 To support the installation of a life-size bronze sculpture in Veteran’s Park of Mary Katharine Goddard, the printer of the Declaration of Independence, on the 250th anniversary of its signing. |
The Hearth Project – $4,500 To assist homeless and in-transition students in Polk County Public Schools. |
| Lighthouse Ministries – $3,000 To support their efforts to feed and shelter the homeless. |
Dream Center of Lakeland – $4,500 To support household resources and educational support to children and families in need. |
| Combee Connection – $3,000 To support their food pantry, clothes closet and women and children’s resource room. |
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| RCMA Mulberry- $8,000 To support quality childcare, education and parent resources for migrant families in Polk County. |
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.
Twilight 5K
Spring Obsession
2027 will be the 24th year for this outdoor celebration of gardening and art. Shop the many flower and plant vendors, learn from master gardeners, meet with local garden clubs, and relax on the Munn Park lawn with tasty food and great music. Adopted by The Lakeland Rotary Club in 2017, proceeds from Spring Obsession are used to support local causes for the Lakeland community. In 2027, funds will be donated to the Polk County schools and their Partners in Education program. As part of this initiative, the Lakeland Rotary Club has adopted Southwest Elementary and Southwest Middle Schools.
In past years, Spring Obsession has supported:
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Furnished park benches in Hollis Garden
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Common Ground Park
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Arts on the Park
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Bike Lakeland
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Campfire Girls
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Artful bike racks outside Polk Museum of Art and the public library
- New park furniture at Munn Park
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Trauma Packs created by the Lakeland Police and Fire Departments at Southwest Middle School.
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Polk County Public School Know & Grow Program
For more information, visit Spring Obsession’s dedicated website at springobsession.org.
March 2026
