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Rotary International is the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to bring peace and stability to the world by providing water and sanitation, disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, peace and conflict prevention/resolution. One of the major commitments is to eradicate polio from the face of the world. Our motto: Service Above Self.

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Dr. Ashok Kumar on Polio Plus

Dr Ashok Kumar gave Custer Rotary an update on Rotary Internationals Polio Plus. In assisting Rotary International to keep their pledge of $50 Million a year toward eradication of Polio, he asked for each member to contribute to the Polio Plus campaign.
we passed the Polio Plus bowl and raised $271.00.

School Updates

Vice President Pat Argabright presenting a Rotary pen to our speaker Matt Fridell from Tallgrass Landscape Architecture speaking about the community's thoughts for the old grade school space. Custer School District Superintendent Mark Naugle spoke about up-coming plans for the school district.

Donation to Senior Meals Program

$500.00 Rotary matching donation to Senior Meals was presented by Custer Rotary President, to Mary Ann Schmitz of the "Bingo Crowd" recently. This will result in a $1000.00 total for seniors who need help with their meal costs.

Update Custer Search and Rescue

Rick and Sam ( and his lovely daughter) gave us a summary of history, and the growth of the Custer Search and Rescue unit. This has evolved into a highly technical organization with the most up to date equipment, and abilities. There are 40 some members, of highly trained individuals that have done a spectacular job. Thanks so much!!

Custer Rotary donated $500 to Search and Rescue.

Custer Co Highway Dept Superintendent

Custer County Highway Department Superintendent Jesse Doyle spoke November 13 meeting

Custer Youth and Alumni Association

President of Custer's Youth & Alumni Foundation Lea Ann McWhorter, spoke to the membership about the good work they do for scholarships for our graduating students and for special classroom needs for the teachers in our school district.

Life on the Aircraft Carrier Deck

Steve Hone Retired Master Chief from US Navy gave a very interesting program of live on the aircraft carrier deck. He was a "Green Shirt" involved with operating and maintaining all aircraft launch and recovery equipment and performed all support equipment and aircraft-related maintenance. Thanks for your service Steve!

A Wonderful Thank You

Flying high

Retired Lt. Col. John Heaton shared with the Custer Rotary Club, some of his activities and duties while active. In addition, he shared some of the contracting he has been doing with drones. I'm sure there is much more that he can't tell, but he kept everyone very interested. Thanks for your service and contribution John!

Sylvan Lake Road Cleanup

A BIG thanks to all who showed up for the road cleanup!!

Custer Care and Rehab Center

A BIG thanks to all showed up at the Custer Care and Rehab Center for prepping the number 1 hall and room!!!!! Another thanks to Rotarians Janet Boyer, and Monica McGowen for spearheading the action!! the pictures above show our Rotarians in Action!!

Thanks, was a fun day!

Gift for Senior Center Director

Custer Rotary President Rob McWhorton presents a gift of appreciation to Senior Center Executive director, Jodi Niksic for a job well done! Thanks Jodi!!

Custer County Library

Custer County Librarian, Sarah Meyers explains to the Custer Rotary Club, all the goings on with the library. She explained all the different activities in both Custer and Hermosa that the library has and is doing.

A gift of appreciation!

Librarian Sarah accepts a donation of $500 from Custer Rotary President Rob McWhorton.

Chuck Johnson, Superintendent of Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home

Chuck Johnson, Superintendent of the Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home for the last year and a half, gave us some insight as to the history, and the goings on at the Veterans Home in Hot Springs. Currently it is experiencing staffing challenges, in order to keep up with the need.

It's a great asset to those Veterans and spouses that are able to be there. Thanks for what you and your staff does to take care of those that need it!

District Governor Rich Burns Visits Custer Rotary Club

District Gov. Rich Burns, shares with the Custer Rotary Club some of his areas of focus, such as suggestion of a signiture project, and revamping the District website to include small video clips from clubs. He shared also some thoughts on participation, and membership. He commented on the Rotary International Presidents focus on erasing the stigma of mental health, and staying focused on eradicating Polio, hand how important it is to continue working for eradication.

DG Burns also reminded us of the 7 areas of focus for Rotary.

Promoting peace. Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. ...
Fighting disease. ...
Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. ...
Saving mothers and children. ...
Supporting education. ...
Growing local economies. ...
Protecting the environment.

Thanks for the insight DG Burns!!

DG Rich Burns presenting Custer Rotary Club President Rob McWhorter this years Presidential Banner, " Create Hope in the World"

DG Burns and wife Kelly receiving a gift from Custer Senior Center staff, Director Jodi Niksic, and Board member Janet Woytossek for the grant which allowed Custer Rotary to assist in getting the elevator for the Custer Senior Center.

DG Rich Burns and Custer Rotary President Rob McWhorter, presents a check for $500 from Custer Rotary Club to Custer YMCA Director ( and Custer Rotary Member) Rex Jorgensen!

Getting out of HOT water!

Dr Mark Hogg, gave the club a first hand narrative of his and several members of his family, being on Maui, near Lahaina during the devastating fires. They experienced several days of electrical outage, and high winds. Fortunately they were upwind of the fires. If they had not stopped at the Walmart upon arrival before going to their vacation rental, they would have been out of food for most of the week! Thankfully, they were able to eventually get a flight out after several cancellations and rebookings and at one point, the 6 family members spending a night in their van. We are thankful you and your family were able to escape without any injuries!

Special Award to Mike Chase

Mike Chase, Custer Rotary Treasurer for 28 years, is awarded a special plaque for his many years of community and club involvement. Mike has donated countless hours to community service, and dedication to our club. He also was given a Paul Harris Foundation award, his fourth, in honor of his many years of Rotary work!

Thanks Mike, you are an inspiration to us all!

Cory Virtue

Dec 11, 2023

Christmas for Kids presentation

Rotary Christmas Party

Dec 18, 2023

Gift exchange value =/< $25. Chicken dinner $14 plate

No Meeting due to Holiday

Dec 25, 2023

No Meeting due to Holiday

Jan 01, 2024

View entire list...

CUSTER HONORED ROTARIANS

HONORED ROTARIANS

Roy Roadifer

We Honor Past President Rotarian, Roy Roadifer, he passed away on 8 Dec, 2020. We remember Roy, as a loyal Rotarian, a knowledgeable geologist, always explaining things about the Black Hills, and a wonderful Humanitarian. He was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. Roy had been an active member for over 26 years and had over 19 years of perfect attendance. He had served in Okinawa during WW2.
To his wife Ramona, and family, our condolences.

Jill Kettle

We Honor Past President Rotarian, Jill Kettle, who passed away unexpectedly on November 16th. Jill's constant smile and can do attitude was always there as she got things done! She was a hard working Rotarian that lead by example! Jill was an active member of Custer Rotary since 2014. Her leadership at the Custer Senior Center kept it vibrant, and alive. Jill was very active in several local service organizations. She was always giving of herself to help others, a Paul Harris Fellow and True Rotarian. Our Sympathies to Ron and her family, and the dogs she loved.

Sue Brown

We Honor Past Custer Rotarian Board member, Sue Brown. Sue passed away May 10th. She will be remembered for her wonderful smile, and the many who were touched by her generosity, and kindness.
She served on the Boards of many nonprofit organizations in the fields of education, housing, and women’s issues including the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission, South Dakota Housing Development Authority, YWCA, Habitat for Humanity, United Way and Volunteers of America. She also served on the Boards of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Rotary. She served two terms on the Sioux Falls School Board, worked as a financial services representative for her husband’s business and became President/CEO the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation in 1995. She retired from that position in 2006. Both the School Board and Community Foundation were works that matched Sue’s passions, and she considered these opportunities two of the turning points in her life.

Rotary leads 28 sessions at United Nations climate conference

Presentations and workshops at COP28 highlight community-led solutions and partnerships.

Consider your carbon foodprint

If all the climate change solutions, from electric cars to wind turbines, there’s a powerful one that’s staring you in the face — at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Rotary projects around the globe December 2023

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Peru, Italy, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea.

Help Rotary Strike Out Polio

2024-25 Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick invites 25 PolioPlus supporters to her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, to Help Rotary Strike Out Polio at the $1 Million Baseball Game.