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---Wednesday Lunch Meetings Now on Zoom (Coronavirus prevention)---

As Seen in the Anacortes American!

Check out Rotary's own WannaBeatles singing "Anacortes Strong"

Welcome to our club!

Rotary: Making a Difference

We meet Wednesdays at 12:00 PM
Majestic Inn & Spa

419 Commercial Ave
Anacortes, WA 98221
United States of America

District Site

Venue Map

3 New Rotarians Welcomed!

Posted on Mar 03, 2021

President Tim Garrison and Master of Ceremonies Jack Darnton swear in Jack Curtis, Courtney Orrock (a returning Rotarian), and Brady Turnage

In what is officially the Anacortes Rotary Club’s largest, mass Zoom induction ceremony ever (okay, the first), we are proud to welcome three new members who have elected to embrace “Service Above Self”. There is much to accomplish in 2021 and the community looks forward to their energy and contributions. Meet Anacortes’ newest Rotarians:

Jack Curtis.

Jack is a recently retired Naval aviator, fresh from commanding a Growler squadron at NAS Whidbey. He now works as a government contract technical analyst and is a co-founder of End Speed Group, a leadership and organizational culture consulting firm, along with fellow new Rotarian Brad Turnage. Jack stays busy coaching youth sports, volunteering at A Simple Gesture food bank, and spending many hours on the ACFL trails.

Courtney Orrock.

Courtney Orrock has returned to Anacortes (and the club) after working for almost 10 years in Las Vegas, first at Sunrise Children’s Foundation, then at Wyndham Destinations, the world’s largest vacation club and exchange company. Now a stay-at-home mom rearing an 18-month old daughter, Courtney is looking forward to re-engaging with the Anacortes Arts Commission, Anacortes Library, Island Hospital Foundation and other worthy causes.

Brady Turnage.

Brady (along with Jack Curtis) founded End Speed Group, utilizing his more than 20 years of experience building and leading teams in the Navy and as a lacrosse coach at the University of Delaware. Brady was the Commanding Officer of a carrier-based jet squadron at NAS Whidbey and is currently a Contract Instructor, training EA-18G Growler aircrews.

Fundraiser Raffle Winner!

Posted on Jan 27, 2021

Congratulations to Annie Brogan, who won the $1,000 gift certificate to Burton Jewelers! We had 101 entries into the raffle, representing donations of $500 or more. Overall, this Rotary event raised nearly $70,000 which will help area families in need.

Thank you to all who helped out. We are humbled by your generosity and compassion.

Still Rakin’ it In (community cleanup pt2)

Posted on Dec 16, 2020

Project Leader Tom Griffin rallies the troops around a really big pile of leaves accumulated at the Anacortes Senior Activity Center cleanup.

Raking History

Posted on Nov 30, 2020

Nearly a dozen Rotarians and family turned out with rakes and blowers to spruce up the Anacortes Museum grounds. Amber Walker coordinated the cleanup with the City as part of ongoing efforts to support community services and help offset COVID budget cuts. Next stop is the Senior Center on Saturday December 12th at 10AM. Come join us!

30yr Kiwanan Becomes Honorary Rotarian

Posted on Jul 08, 2020

Don Richards was recognized as an honorary Paul Harris Fellow for his 22 years of community service as Director of Marketing at Island Hospital, for his 30 years as a member of the Anacortes Kiwanis Club, and for his leadership as Chairman of the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce. Rotarian Virginia Smiley conferred the honor along with President Stephanie Hamilton. Congratulations Don, and THANK YOU!

Virtual Changing of the Guard

Posted on Jun 25, 2020

Wednesday’s meeting, attended by more than 30 Zoom-savvy Rotarians, celebrated the conclusion of Stephanie Hamilton’s presidency and the start of Tim Garrison’s. Assembled members applauded Stephanie for her inspired leadership during some of the most unusual circumstances in the Club’s 98 year history. Assistant District Governor Connie Milliken officially installed Tim as Anacortes Rotary’s 2020-21 President, and Tim described how he and his new board and committee chiefs are already building upon Stephanie’s amazing work this past year.

Special Paul Harris recognitions were made, on behalf of Virginia Smiley, to recognize community leaders who have contributed so greatly to Anacortes:

Dick Nelson- Dakota Creek Industries

Dennis Richards- Island Hospital (and Kiwanian)

Shirley Yap- Shell Puget Sound Refinery

Nels Strandberg- Strandberg Construction

Club member Kevin Meenaghan was also honored as a new Paul Harris Fellow. Paul Harris said: “He who tries to find the good in others will be rewarded, for others will surely find the good in him. Of all the earth’s sad and lonesome creatures, the most helpless is he who loves not his fellowmen.”

The new leadership team and all members look forward enthusiastically to the re-opening of our community and new opportunities for “Service Above Self.”

"School to Go" Summer Support

Posted on May 28, 2020

Anacortes Rotarians helped deliver the final forty-plus packages of games, puzzles, books, and art supplies for low income students to enjoy over the summer. On April 27, our club presented a $2,500 check to the Anacortes Schools Foundation to fund the great work Carrie Worra and others are doing through this new program - School To Go. The club’s $1,250 contribution was generously matched by District 5050, which is providing matching grants to clubs around the region to help combat the effects of the coronavirus. To learn more, check out https://www.anacortesschoolsfoundation.org/

School To Go & Anacortes Rotary Partnership

Posted on Apr 30, 2020

Anacortes Rotary has stepped up in a big way to help students stay safe, healthy and learning this spring — and lessen the impact the coronavirus is having on students’ regular schooling since they can’t be in their classrooms.

On April 27, our club presented a $2,500 check to the Anacortes Schools Foundation to fund the great work Carrie Worra and others are doing through a new program - School To Go. The club’s $1,250 contribution was generously matched by District 5050, which is providing matching grants to clubs around the region to help combat the effects of the coronavirus.

“Thank you so much Rotary for advocating for our most financially insecure families,” Carrie said. “I am beyond thrilled to be able to supply these students with a little extra support during this difficult time.”

“We have struggled to raise funds quickly for this project, so Rotary is truly saving the day,” Carrie said.

School To Go is funded entirely through new, targeted contributions to the Anacortes Schools Foundation. Rotary’s support ensures it will continue into June.

The Schools Foundation began the School To Go Program to provide educational support, including school, craft and basic household supplies, to families currently enrolled in the Food to Go weekend food program. It targets the most food insecure families in the school district who are at the same time the ones most likely to be most adversely affected by the school closures.

Bags contain an inviting mix of school and craft supplies - items like colored pencils, science experiment books, math learning cards, Word Find pads, modeling clay, sketch pads and sudoku puzzle books. The bags are individually packed with materials appropriate to students’ age and grade level.

The first delivery was March 30. The most recent monthly delivery was April 27, when pre-bagged supplies bags went out to about 55 students in 35 homes.

Assisting with delivery in April were Rotarians Maddy MacKenzie, Marta McClintock and Dan Worra. The next and final delivery is May 25.

Rotary Goes Virtual!

Posted on Apr 10, 2020

It's not easy for an organization used to meeting face-to-face for 115 years to suddenly adapt to the age of Zoom. President Stephanie Hamilton set up and led Anacortes Rotary's first ever video meeting. It was cathartic for all, as we shared stories of how our families are adapting to COVID-19. We also discussed how members can contribute to two programs supporting our local restaurants and frontline workers. All readers are encouraged to take a look at the "Buoy Anacortes" and "Anacortes Strong" websites below, and help if you can!

Buoy Anacortes

Anacortes Strong

Inaugural "Fireside Chat" for New Members

Posted on Mar 16, 2020

On March 11th the Anacortes Rotary held it’s first-ever New Member Fireside as a lunch meeting! New members from the past year were introduced, and each table received a 5-min “speed date” from each of the club’s committee chairs.

This event was a hit, stay tuned for the next one!

Par 4-Way Test

Posted on Feb 24, 2020

The Club joined the Library Foundation this weekend to transform the entire Library into a miniature golf course to help raise funds for a variety of library activities. Last year the Anacortes Rotary Construction Gang (Jim MacDonald, Mark Lascelles, Tom Kuhn and Duane Clark) built a hole highlighting Rotary's core "4-way Test" values, which they updated and enhanced for this year's event.