With jet injectors, polio vaccinators in Afghanistan build trust, By Omid Farooq
On a cloudy morning in Afghanistan’s Laghman province, Dr. Arsala set out for Alingar, a rugged, mountain-wrapped district he had visited many times before. After 12 years as a provincial polio officer, he knew the rhythm of polio campaigns: the early starts, the long drives, the predictable challenges. But this time felt different. He carried a new tool being introduced for the first time in Afghanistan’s polio program: needle-free injections.
From August to October last year, Afghanistan’s polio eradication program launched a three-phase campaign using the inactivated polio vaccine, normally administered through a traditional syringe with a needle. Used alongside the oral vaccine drops, it can boost immunity. The campaign across the eastern region aimed to protect more than 1.2 million children under the age of 5 from polio. Fifty districts, four provinces, and more than 10,000 dedicated polio workers joined forces — and uniting it all was a groundbreaking innovation never before used in the country’s polio eradication efforts.
Instead of shots, the vaccinators introduced jet injectors, spring-powered devices that deliver a tiny stream of vaccine through the outer layer of skin in a split second. There was no needle, no fear, and no pain. Just a quick press, a soft click, and protection delivered with a smile.
Zahir Islam uses a needle-free jet injector to administer a polio vaccine to a child in eastern Afghanistan. “Parents who had avoided injectable vaccines before now brought their children with confidence,” he says.
It was modern technology meeting some of Afghanistan’s most remote communities.
“This campaign is unlike any I have ever seen before,” Dr. Arsala said as he held the jet injector in his hand. For him, this was not only about new technology; it was about building trust. “This is the first time such a device is being used in polio campaigns in Afghanistan. Delivering high-quality training is crucial. Vaccinators must feel confident before they go to the field.”
The 2026 RYLA experience for District 5870 is set to begin on June 28 at the Twin Lakes Family YMCA campus in Cedar Park. About 75 participants are registered, representing high schoolers from all around the District.
This year the staff is offering all Rotarians and friends a unique opportunity to participate – individually or as clubs. The RYLA leaders have set up an Amazon Wish List on- line listing items that they need to help make the weekend a success. By your choosing to donate some of these items, they can defray some costs for the weekend, leaving some funds for later youth involvements of District 5870 and clubs.
ALL Rotarians are invited to go to the RYLA informationon the District website (under the “Youth” heading}, then follow the Amazon Wish List instructions to donate needed items that you or your club are willing to donate. These items are then sent directly to the team to stockpile for this weekend. Multiples of many items are needed, so there is plenty of opportunity to give. Prices for suggested items begin as low as about $4, so there are options for however much you are willing to invest. YOU can help RYLA be another great success story without even leaving your home!
On behalf of the RYLA team and the upcoming 2026 RYLA campers, thank you.
SUPPORT RYLA BY SHOPPING THEIR AMAZON WISH LIST!!!
The Bastrop Club had the distinct honor of inducting three new members at one time last Tuesday. This is a record one-day number for the Club. All the new members are active business people in the community, and have already involved themselves in the Club's service and fundraising activities.
“We are experiencing population, business and traffic growth in the County”, says President Vicky Lindsey. "We are so privileged to have these young business people recognize the impact Rotary has on our community and want to participate with us in helping to create that impact!"
The Club currently enjoys 36 active members. It is involved with on-going projects that serve the homeless, provide beds for children, support teachers and students at Bastrop ISD, and generally fill identified needs throughout Bastrop County.
In case you missed it: Follow celebrity chef Rick Bayless as he gets to know the culture and food of Taiwan with the help of Rotarian hosts. Take away some inspiration for your trip to Taipei for the Rotary International Convention — or do some armchair traveling while members take Bayless to dumpling houses, night markets, and a Rotary community food project. Watch now: Tastes of Taipei.
In this month’s good news roundup about club projects, you’ll read about five clubs helping in big ways close to home. In one example, members in Hawaii dug into the District 5000 fire relief fund to support a twilight lantern walk in an act of healing and reflection after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century hit the island of Maui in 2023. Rotarians, many of whom lost their own homes and businesses, volunteered at the event. People of action around the globe.
When Rotary members see a need in their communities, they jump to help
I would love for you to join us on Saturday, June 27, as we celebrate the start of a new Rotary year and install the 2026–27 leadership team for District 5870.
The event will begin at 10:30 AM at Pfluger Park in Pflugerville, a place that holds a special meaning for me personally. Through years of service projects, fundraisers, fellowship, and time spent shoulder to shoulder with fellow Rotarians at this park, I learned what Rotary truly is. Not just meetings and titles… but friendships, service, impact, and community.
I’m excited to welcome Rotarians from across our district to experience a small piece of what makes Rotary so special to me.
This will not be a formal ballroom-style installation. Instead, think German-themed backyard BBQ - fellowship, laughter, cold beer, and great Rotary friends gathering together to celebrate the people who make Rotary happen.
The Rotary Club of Pflugerville cooking team will be serving their famous brisket and brats, our members will be pouring beer just like we do during Deutschen Pfest, and we’ll spend the afternoon celebrating the beginning of a new Rotary year together.
In addition to installing district leadership, we will also: • Recognize and install Presidents-Elect and District leaders • Honor the 2025–26 Roll of Fame recipients • Recognize Rotarians during a new Membership Society pinning ceremony
And yes… if you know me at all, you already know this event will be casual.
Shorts and flip flops are strongly encouraged (or at least “Rotary casual”).
Most of all, I hope this gathering reflects the very best of Rotary: fellowship, friendships, service, and the impact we create together.
Help our own Rotarian Bill Owens and support his choir members in the trip of a lifetime! They will sing and also do good works for other young people while they travel in Vienna, Austria. Check out the flyer below or on the donation website.
Several of our Club members showed up for this photo opp last Wednesday at Mina Elementary. Thanks to the good efforts of our President, Vicky Lindsey, we had a great haul of carbs & sugars to deliver to the teachers & staff. We hope this will keep them energized through to the end of the school year! Thank you to each Rotarian who took time to show their appreciation for the Mina educator efforts!
District 5870 celebrates the Clubs that went above and beyond this year by completing the Rotary Rockstar Challenge! Designed to strengthen public image and showcase the incredible work happening across our communities, the challenge included six levels of activities focused on storytelling, engagement, membership promotion, and visibility.
We are proud to recognize the Clubs that completed all levels—demonstrating a true commitment to elevating Rotary’s presence and impact. Their efforts not only highlighted the meaningful service happening locally but also inspired others across the District to share their stories and connect with their communities in new ways.
From powerful storytelling to extraordinary reach, these Clubs truly took the spotlight! They didn’t just share their stories—they amplified them across the District, connected deeply within their communities, and extended their impact on a global stage. By showcasing projects through the Service Project Center and sharing their stories with Rotary Clubs around the world, they made sure Rotary’s voice was heard far and wide. This is what it means to be a Rotary Rockstar—bold, visible, and inspiring others everywhere!
To all participating Clubs—thank you for your dedication, creativity, and passion for telling Rotary’s story. Your work is making a difference and strengthening our ability to grow, engage, and serve.
Every time we wear a Rotary pin, share a social media post, create an event flyer, or tell the story of a service project, we represent Rotary. In many ways, every Rotarian is a brand ambassador.
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes a more common tool for communication, marketing, and creativity, Rotary International has released new AI Guidelines for Members. These guidelines are designed to help us use AI responsibly while protecting Rotary's reputation, our members, and the communities we serve.
Here are some of the key takeaways every Rotarian should know:
Protect Our Brand
• Do not upload Rotary logos, branded content, or other Rotary intellectual property into AI tools. • This includes Rotary International logos, club logos, district logos, Brand Center assets, and Rotary publication content. • Do not use AI to create or alter Rotary logos. • AI-generated graphics may be used for club and district materials, but official Rotary logos should be added after the design is created using tools such as Canva or Adobe Express.
Protect Privacy
• Never upload confidential Rotary information into AI tools. • Avoid sharing donor information, membership records, financial data, grant information, or other sensitive materials. • Do not upload identifiable photos of members, volunteers, beneficiaries, or community participants without their consent.
Be Responsible
• Use AI to support your work, not replace human judgment. • Always review and fact-check AI-generated content before publishing or sharing. • Ensure content aligns with Rotary's values and commitment to ethical service.
Be Transparent
• When AI plays a significant role in creating content, consider disclosing its use. • Transparency helps build trust and demonstrates Rotary's commitment to responsible innovation.
AI offers exciting opportunities to help us tell Rotary's story, expand our reach, and engage our communities. By using these tools thoughtfully and responsibly, we can embrace innovation while protecting the Rotary brand that generations of members have worked to build.
Thank you for being a proud ambassador of Rotary and helping strengthen our public image in everything you do.
Trip Details Location: Pakse City, Champassak Province, Laos Dates: November 20–29, 2026
This journey will take us into rural communities, where you’ll meet families, see filter distribution and training, and witness the real, lasting difference clean water makes in daily life. It’s truly a meaningful and perspective-changing experience. While this will be an adventure, we will be comfortably based in a 3-star hotel in Pakse, and travel together in a Hyundai van throughout the trip. You should be able to navigate some uneven terrain in village settings, but we will not be required to walk long distances.
There will also be opportunities to experience the beauty and culture of southern Laos, including:
* Visiting some of the region’s famous waterfalls
* Exploring an ancient UNESCO World Heritage temple site (Wat Phu)
* Visiting a Lao coffee cooperative and enjoying some of the region’s delicious coffee
To reserve your spot:
Make a non refundable$225 donation by June 1, 2026 through the TerraClear Foundation donation page
Reach out to me directly to receive registration materials and next steps
Total trip cost:
You arrange YOUR OWN FLIGHTS TO/FROM Bangkok, Thailand
$1,500 per person (from Bangkok to Laos and back to Bangkok) $225 non refundable registration donation due June 1, 2026, $1275 due Sept 1, 2026.
This includes:
All transportation from Bangkok through Laos and return to Bangkok
Accommodation in Pakse (6 nights)
Local transportation throughout the Champasak region (including TerraClear vehicle/van)
Coordination and guided visits with the TerraClear team
A contribution toward TerraClear’s clean water program, supporting filters and training for families you will meet ($225 non refundable down payment is donated 100% to subsidies for families)
Not included:
Your international airfare to/from Bangkok
Your hotel stay(s) in Bangkok
Meals (lunches and dinners are at your own expense; breakfasts are typically included at the hotel in Pakse)
$225 due June 1 (applied toward total and is a direct donation to support filters for Lao families, non refundable)
Remaining $1,275 due by September 1, 2026
Before you even arrive, your participation will already be helping provide clean, safe drinking water to families in Laos. I would truly love for you to be part of this journey. Please reach out with any questions or to begin the registration process—I’m happy to talk through details and help you discern if this trip is a good fit.
Habiba Bennani was in an airport lounge waiting for a flight when a fellow passenger spotted the End Polio Now sticker on her laptop. The man told her about his father, who had contracted polio at age three but overcame the physical after-effects to serve in the U.S. army as a mechanic. Bennani, an assistant Rotary public image coordinator from Tunisia, was inspired to begin contributing to the PolioPlus fund. Now she’s a Major Donor. In honor of World Immunization Week, observed 24-30 April, read her story in our Rotary 360 blog.
Chance encounter inspires commitment to End Polio Now
Rotary members are committed to protecting our environment. Clubs support activities that conserve and protect natural resources and build ecological sustainability. This work also helps advance Rotary’s other causes, including promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, and growing local economies. For Earth Day, 22 April, check out Rotary 360 to read what some clubs are doing to protect our planet.
How Rotary members are committed to the environment
The Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award is given every year to a Rotary or Rotaract club member, regardless of gender and Rotary tenure, who has actively contributed to the advancement of women in Rotary.
This year’s recipient is Mayan Raslan, a past district governor and a member of the Rotary Club of Cairo Royal, Egypt. Mayan is a Rotary trailblazer and has led large-scale community development initiatives. Among these are economic empowerment programs for women, employment fairs, literacy classes, medical convoys, installation of water lines, and vocational training centers.
You’ve read it before in Rotary magazine: Research supports the idea that strong friendships like those found in Rotary clubs can help people feel happier throughout life. A happiness researcher joins the Rotary Voices podcast to discuss the predictors of The Good Life. That’s the title of his book about lessons from the world’s longest happiness study.
Malaria has bedeviled humankind for millennia, afflicting generations back to the likes of Alexander the Great, believed to have been felled by the illness on the banks of the Euphrates. The magazine’s April cover story describes how scientists, at last, are starting to unravel how to make vaccines to target the shape-shifting parasite that causes the disease. Read how Rotarians are helping in: To catch a killer parasite.
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Rotary members join the race to find malaria vaccines
Some legacies are too important to let fade. This raffle is our way of keeping one alive.
The Erik Svenkerud Memorial Scholarship
Erik Svenkerud was a devoted Rotarian and a true believer in the power of education to change lives. In his honor, the Rotary E-Club of Central Texas established the Erik Svenkerud Memorial Scholarship — awarded annually to an eligible student(s) pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university.📚
Last year, our club raised $2,000 to fund the very first award. This year, we’re raising the bar.
Our 2026 goal: $5,000.
Every ticket purchased brings us closer to a scholarship that grows, endures, and opens doors for deserving students year after year — just the way Erik would have wanted.
Raffle Tickets
$25 per ticket — or get the best value with 5 tickets for $100!🎟️
The more you give, the better your chances — and every dollar goes directly toward honoring Erik’s legacy and funding a student’s future.
🏆 Prizes
🥇 1st Place — 3-Night Stay at 9E Ranch Cabins in the beautiful Lost Pines of Bastrop, TX with dinner for two at Casa ChapolaMexican Restaurant (Value $800)
🥈2nd Place — Beautiful Crossbody Consuela Bag, stunning Mexican Shawl & a $100 Restaurant Gift Card (Value $300)
🥉 3rd Place — $100 Visa Gift Card
🎉 The Drawing
Raffle tickets are available starting April 1st, 2026.
The winning tickets will be drawn on Tuesday, June 16th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Central Time.
Help us honor Erik by investing in the next generation.
Every dollar raised is a tribute to a man who believed education could change the world.
Thank you for supporting the Rotary E-Club of Central Texas Scholarship Fund.
As the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding approaches, the enduring role of service in U.S. civic life is taking center stage. This July 4 marks the beginning of a milestone year, one that provides ideal opportunities to highlight your club’s and Rotary’s commitment to community impact and the American spirit of service.
Use this heightened interest in service to contact local media and share your club’s stories of impact and contributions to the social fabric of your community. Here are some ways to get started:
Attached is a list of July 4 activity ideas and organizations offering helpful resources, including case studies, templates, and worksheets. Use these tools to honor the nation’s founding ideals while showing how community service remains a powerful force for connection and positive change in our communities.
Rotary Action Groups recently celebrated their 20th anniversary, marking two decades of empowering clubs by using their specialized expertise to offer guidance. These global networks play a vital role in strengthening Rotary’s international service by helping clubs collaborate across borders to design effective, culturally informed, and sustainable projects. Their international experience equips members to address major global challenges, from expanding access to family health services to improving community wellness in diverse regions worldwide.
Discover how partnering with a Rotary Action Group can amplify the impact of your next international initiative and connect your club with trusted experts around the world.
Rotary Action Groups offer practical tips for effective service projects
Last Saturday, members of the Rotary Club of Bastrop County joined forces with friends and community partners to make a meaningful difference for local families—delivering and installing 20 beds for children who previously had no bed of their own.
Working alongside volunteers from the Rotary Club of Austin’s University Area and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the team spent the day bringing comfort and hope to families throughout the community. Together, they delivered and assembled beds in nine homes, ensuring that children who had been sleeping on the floor now have a safe and comfortable place to rest.
The Bastrop County Club was chartered in July 1990, by Beverley Saunders Reed, who presided as the Charter President for the 1990-1991 Rotary year. Reed began working as soon as rotary recognized women as fully accredited Rotarians in 1989. Within less than a year, Reed’s efforts resulted in the successful charter of the new Club. In the 36 succeeding years, the Bastrop Club has been led by 34 individuals. Twelve of those Presidents were women:
The Bastrop Honor Choir is more than 15 years old, and is dedicated to healing the human spirit through music, empathy, and community. The members of the choir have all been selected, not for their vocal talent, but because they individually display a high level of empathy and human understanding. Just as do Rotarians, these young people have a heart for service, specifically to support and encourage abused children.
The choir uses the “power of music to heal a broken spirit - we sing for the children who have no voice, who have no choice. We honor them and those who help them by sharing our energy, our resources, and our song.”
Honor Choir founder and Music Director Bill Owens is also a Bastrop County Rotarian. The Bastrop Club has helped to support the choir and its mission for the last several years, thus also contributing to efforts supporting abused children through the Children’s Advocacy Center in Bastrop County.
In 2025, Bastrop County Rotarians donated $500 to the good works of the Honor Choir at the Club’s annual Holiday Social. In return, we received a wonderful “thank you’ card, and a beautiful Christmas concert.
Bastrop County Rotary Supports Children's Honor Choir
Rotarian Audrianna Esser has agreed to be the Club's liaison with Mina Elementary administration. She has already met with the appropriate folks, and also put together a fantastic plan to guide the Club through the entire year of volunteer events. Those events and their volunteer requirements will become part of our on-going calendar, so keep an eye out for what we will be doing this Fall.
President Vicky Lindsey of the Bastrop County Rotary Club graciously accepted a generous grant from Bastrop County Cares! This impactful donation will enable our club to construct and deliver dozens of new beds to children in Bastrop County who currently lack a bed of their own. We extend our heartfelt thanks to BCC and eagerly anticipate collaborating with them on future community initiatives.
Bastrop County Rotary and BCC Partner to Help Kids Sleep Better
Bastrop completed a very successful fundraiser on Saturday with its 3rd Annual Clay Shoot Tournament. The event was great fun, the weather was perfect, and our hosts, the Fayette County Gun Club, were professional and generous!
Bastrop Rotarians Steve Schroeder, Adam Straznicky, Karen Trevino, and Vicky Lindsey delivered a major stash of supplies to the Emile teachers last week. They apparently REALLY appreciated the big box of popcorn! The legitimate supplies included spiral notebooks, index cards, pencils, and boxes of tissue.
The Bastrop Club met at the Austin Sleep in Heavenly Peace warehouse in Austin bright and early Saturday morning, March 22, to complete its first "bed build!" We were joined by friends and family and are very grateful to the "red shirt" guidance from the Round Rock and Georgetown Clubs. The crew sawed, drilled, sanded, and stained the pieces and parts needed to assemble 10 bunk beds.
Join us for an exhilarating day of camaraderie and skill at the Rotary Club of Bastrop County's prestigious 3rd Annual Sporting Clay Tournament Fundraiser on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7AM at the Fayette County Gun Club in La Grange!
Whether you're a seasoned marksman or new to clay shooting, our event promises excitement and friendly competition for all skill levels.
Sponsorships opportunities are available! Click: Become a Sponsor. If you questions regarding sponsorship, contact Event Chair Joni at 713-540-1695.
The Rotary Club of Bastrop County "floated" in City of Bastrop's Lighted Christmas Parade last Saturday night. It was the Club's first entry in many years, and local Rotarians are looking forward to a drier trip next year! Rotarians were joined by some of Rotarian Laurence Richardson's Frost Bank friends, members of Scout Troops 8 & 1423 and Cub Pack 180, with which Rotarian Bo Reynolds volunteers.
Rotarian Rick Nalle drove his truck which pulled the decorated trailer. Thank you to all the Rotarians & friends of Rotarians who made the successful parade float possible!
Rotary Club of Bastrop County Shines Bright in Lighted Christmas Parade
Rotary Club of Bastrop County was recently honored by Bastrop Independent School District officials. The BISD Board recognized the Club as a "Community Partner" of the school district. Bastrop Rotary has adopted Emile Elementary School to help teachers & students where needed. Rotarians provided & served a Thanksgiving luncheon to Emile teachers and for Christmas, adopted kids from the school's Angel Tree.
The Bastrop County Rotary Club delivered an SUV full of "loot" to teachers at Emile Elementary. Snacks, drinks, pens, makers, and other helpful items make a teacher's classroom life a little easier. Principal Windy Burnett (R.) & Asst. Principal Ginny Ackermann (L.) were presented the goodies by Rotarians Vicky Lindey (behind the camera!), Karen Trevino, and Joni Thompson.
Bastrop Rotary has been partnering for several years with a local organization that provides temporary residences for homeless families. "In the Streets/Hands Up High" requires adults to be searching for work during their stay, provides skills training, and supports folks with meals while at the facility. Our Club, through the good services of members Rick Nalle, Norman Jones and others, constructed a hydroponics garden on the property earlier this year. The fresh vegetables it produces are now supplementing the meals provided to ITS/HUH residents and to others needing food support.
The hydroponics garden was supported by our 2023-24 DAP Grant. Between 20 and 30 residents will benefit from its produce.
Register your team or become a sponsor for our 2nd Annual Sporting Clay Tournament on April 6th at the Fayette County Golf Club. Click here for more details.
Club President David Johnson dropped off the donations from our Club Social at the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry. Special thanks to our sponsors Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Rick Nalle, Mike Helmick and Mike and Jan Goebel and all Rotarians for putting Service Above Self!
We enjoy Club Socials every two months in the place of our weekly meeting. We enjoy food, merriment, and the fellowship of our great club. Guests are absolutely welcome to attend! In the course of our fellowship, we do not miss an opportunity to serve. Our service for the April Club Social benefitted the Bastrop Pregnancy Resource Center to help aid their outreach to expecting parents.
Birds in Bastrop County are now able to take shelter and nest inside specialized homes built and distributed by the Rotary Club of Bastrop County. Residents will be able to see the birdhouses at River Bend Park near downtown Smithville, as well as at Fisherman’s Park in Bastrop.
The project was two solid years in the making, but our club is excited to announce that the Downtown Bicycle Rack Project is complete. Our club funded and produced 6 custom crafted bicycle racks for downtown Bastrop in close coordination with the City of Bastrop to help make Bastrop a more "bikeable" city. We are most thankful to the City of Bastrop and our sponsors for converging efforts to make this challenge a reality!
The Rotary Club of Bastrop County has provided the City of Bastrop with six unique bike racks as a “public service project”. These bike racks support City goals including a friendly walkable/bikeable community for residents and visitors. The Rotary Club designed and made these six custom bike racks to emulate the historic “steel truss” bridge entering Bastrop over the Colorado river.
Big thank you everyone who came out to our Spring Sporting Clay Tournament! We had a perfect day for it. The participation was excellent. The Rotarians had a fun, and we had a great time with the crew at Fayette County Gun Club!
Mark your calendar for March 4, 2023 for the Sporting Clay Tournament 7:30AM at the Fayette County Gun Club in La Grange, TX . Individual $125 or Team of 5 $500.
Thank you to our excellent leadership and service-oriented club members. We were able to prepare, assemble and send over 200 Christmas cards to the southern border for National Guard soldiers posted and away from their families during the holidays. This is a worthy commitment of hours of service by several members. Thank you all for putting service above self!
The Rotary Club of Bastrop County raised almost $500 and dozens of gifts for the Family Crisis Center at their recent social! Thank you, Rotarians for putting service above self!
Making a difference in Bastrop County! The second of three potential rounds of bicycle racks have been delivered to City Hall and have gone to their temporary home to get powder coated. They will soon arrive at their permanent home on Main Street to help make Bastrop a more bikable city. Thank you to Main Street and the City of Bastrop for helping to make this vision a reality!
Bastrop County Rotary participated in the District-Wide Service Project at last meeting. We packed food for 100 children who suffer from weekend hunger. It was a great day to be a Rotarian!
Thank you to Alex Fahrenthold for the excellent craftsmanship on the Rotary sponsored bicycle rack that will find a permanent home at the Bastrop Public Library. The rack is inspired by the iconic Bastrop bridge on Chestnut Street.
The Rotary Club of Bastrop County worked with the City of Bastrop on a “Bike Racks for the City of Bastrop” project. The objective of this project is to support Bastrop City goals for a “multi-modal transportations” approach to encourage bicycling and walking for enjoyment of the city by residents and visitors.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ITEMS. To place a bid, press the green bid button on the item that you are interested in and enter your name, email, and phone number. You will receive notifications (text and email) from the PayBee system when you are outbid and if you are the lucky winner you will receive a notification letting you know that you have won the item. GOOD LUCK!
Event prep for our BBQ Showdown has started! Our members are super excited about our upcoming event on May 27 & 28 at the Riverbend Park in Smithville. Tickets are now available for purchase!
The Rotary Club of Bastrop County has installed a new park bench adjacent to “Smitty” the nation’s largest gingerbread man, in Smithville. In the peaceful park where Smitty resides is a tranquil garden with gingerbread mosaic walking paths, and art abounds. It was the perfect place to put a Rotary branded park bench for others to relax in the gardens. The Smithville Chamber of Commerce and Mayor were in attendance for the installation. We are grateful for our community projects which bring value to the County. Next time you’re in Smithville, take a respite in the gardens next to the Chamber of Commerce. You’ll know right where to sit!
The Rotary Club of Bastrop County will host the “Lost Pines BBQ Showdown”at the Riverbend Park in Smithville TX (in Bastrop County) on May 27-28, 2022. The event will include a national level “sanctioned BBQ competition” in accordance with IBCA https://ibcabbq.org rules.
The Rotary Club will throw the ultimate celebration of all things barbecue! Events include adult and children cookoffs, awesome live entertainment, a kids zone, beer tent, corn hole tournament, silent and live hybrid auctions, vendor tents, and dancing. There is still space to be a competitor and even room to rent an RV spot on site. So nobody will miss out on the fun. Volunteers are needed for this event!
“With the continuous support of the Bastrop Rotary Club and from the citizens who support them, we are able to make difference and help those who have been affected by domestic and sexual violence in our community,” Family Crisis Center Sherry Murphy Executive Director said.
The event will begin at 8:00AM with Pickelball at the Show barn and live music will begin at 11 a.m. with the Honor Choir of Bastrop. The renowned trumpet player Hannibal Lokumbe Renown Trumpet Player will take the stage at 1 p.m.
The awards ceremony is scheduled at 5 p.m. followed by music from Chubby Knuckle Choir 7-9 p.m. and Shop Dawgs who will perform 9-11 p.m.
Come Join us at the “Lost Pines BBQ Showdown” on May 27-28, 2022!
This project will include designing and building six custom bike racks for the City of Bastrop TX. These racks are part of a Bastrop City program to encourage non-vehicle traffic in downtown Bastrop. The racks will emulate the old iron bridge over the Colorado river going into Bastrop. This bike racks will emulate the old iron bridge over the Colorado river going into Bastrop. This concept was initiated by the Bastrop Mayor and the Rotary Club of Bastrop County offered to design and build these bike racks. The bike racks should be useful for many years and provide an indication of the relevance of Rotary to our community. A probable follow on project will be to design and build some benches for City parks.
Come join us on Nov. 2 at 5PM to Neighbor's Kitchen and Yard for our Pints for Polio Event. Neighbor's is donating $1 for every time their Iron Bridge Ice House Brew is ordered. All are welcome to join us! Click to Register.
Congratulations to Alex Fahrenthold who was awarded a Vocational Scholarship for 2021-22. He was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bastrop County. " Welding has been something I have been passionate about since I was 13, and getting this scholarship will allow me to pursue my dream of being a professional welder. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity and I highly encourage others to pursue this opportunity as well."
Rotary Club of Bastrop and 11 other Rotary Clubs from around Rotary District 5870 partnered with Rise Against Hunger to pack over 10,000 meals for those in need in under 2 hours! It was an amazing day for service!
The Rotary Club of Bastrop County plans to host a “a sanctioned BBQ competition, fundraising, Fun, and Information event” with goals of having a major event in Bastrop, raising funds (primarily for local organizations and projects), fun, and Information activities. This event would be held in on Labor Day 2021 (and 2011 Bastrop Fire commemoration). One aspect is a “sanctioned Barbecue competition”. Another aspect is fundraising where the goal is to raise funds primarily for support of valuable causes with emphasis on some example organizations or projects which support our Bastrop area community. Support of community (local and larger) is a key kay goal of our Rotary Club. This event should help raise funds (mainly for local organizations and projects) and be entertaining. For more info
One out of four children in Bastrop County goes hungry according to the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry. So the Rotary Club of Bastrop County is donating $2000 to help feed them.
“We reached out to the Pantry to learn about their needs,” Club President Norma Jones said. “And we were shocked to learn how many children in our area go hungry. Once we learned about the Nutrition in Backpacks Before Little Ones Exit School (NIBBLES) program, we knew we want to make a difference in this way.”
The NIBBLES program currently provides weekend meals and snacks during the school year for 142 low-income children from Lost Pines Elementary, Red Rock Elementary and Bastrop.
“With your assistance, we would be able to provide out-of-school-time meals to five additional students who are currently on the waiting list,” BCEFP Development Support Specialist Kelly Manfredini told the club.
The donation was formalized at a ceremony on Jan. 6.
The Pantry still has children on the waiting list and, also, needs help weekly packing bags prior to distribution. If you can help, please call them at 512-303-0033.
Membership is proposed by a Rotarian who is acquainted with the prospective member. Once the prospective member’s application has been received, it is reviewed by the Club.
active business people in the community, and have already involved themselves in the Club's service and fundraising activities. 
We are proud to recognize the Clubs that completed all levels—demonstrating a true commitment to elevating Rotary’s presence and impact. Their efforts not only highlighted the meaningful service happening locally but also inspired others across the District to share their stories and connect with their communities in new ways.
