Rotary Club pays it forward

WAUPACA – At the start of 2025, the Rotary Club of Waupaca started 2025 announced it would give a total of $75,000 to support organizations with initiatives that will create long-lasting impacts on our community.
The response was tremendous, with 54 organizations applying for grant funds. “A good case could be made for funding most of the proposals we received,” said Wes Klages, grant committee chairman. “And while we ended up increasing total funding by $5,000, we could not say yes to every proposal. We’re proud of the decisions we made, and we look forward to seeing the impact of our investments in the months and years ahead.”
The eight organizations that received funding are as follows:
• $7,500 to the Waupaca School District for the School Social Worker Good Samaritan fund that provides basic needs for up to 400 3K-12th grade students and families who are identified in need of food, clothing, school supplies, bedding, hygiene products, school fees, plus special equipment required for classes.
• $9,500 to Trinity Tiny Treasures Preschool to provide additional classroom space to support 10 more children daily in their preschool and aftercare programs.

• $8,000 to Victory Childcare and Preschool to improve the quality and capacity of their infant daycare environment.
• $5,000 to Cap Services Family Crisis Center that provides advocacy services for Waupaca County victims to receive emotional support, safety planning, and assistance throughout the judicial process.
• $10,000 to Foundations for Living for sustaining the Warming Center and Crisis Center essential services to combat homelessness, food insecurity, and financial instability in the Waupaca area.
• $25,000 to the Community Arts Hub to provide equipment for the digital maker’s space in the new Arts Hub facility.
• $5,000 to the Iola/Scandinavia School District to contribute to the school theater lighting improvement project.
• $10,000 for a collaborative effort by the Rotary Club of Waupaca, Gold Cross Ambulance Service, and the University of Oshkosh School of Nursing to place 10 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the Waupaca area.
All of the grant recipients attended the club’s meeting on April 2 to receive their funds and for a photograph.
“We hope to be able to do something like this again,” said Klages. “We live in such a wonderful community, and we’re honored to play a part in making it even better.”
The Rotary Club of Waupaca has over 100 members who represent different backgrounds, vocations, and perspectives, and who share a common commitment to serving others in our community and around the world. More information is available at www.waupacarotary.org.