BEAVERTON, Ore. — Clubs across Rotary District 5100 are celebrating both service and fellowship in May.
Several clubs are conducting service projects in conjunction with the international Rotary Epic Day of Service on Saturday, May 16. The day is designed to bring Rotarians together to serve their communities and to demonstrate to the public the power of Rotary.
Six clubs in the south part of the Portland Metro Area and Yamhill County are teaming with Reborn Bikes for a Bike Rodeo for Kids and bike distribution event in Wilsonville. Rotarians from the Wilsonville, Chehalem Valley, Newberg, Newberg Early Birds, Sherwood and Tualatin clubs will come together to deliver refurbished bicycles and helmets free of charge. Donations of old bikes will also be accepted to refurbish and pass on to others.
District 5100’s youth exchange students provide a show of cultures and talents at the District 5100 Youth Exchange Country Fair & Talent Show, 1-5 p.m. at Rise Church in Tigard. Both inbound and outbound high school exchange students from around the world will treat you to an unforgettable afternoon of culture, connection and creativity.
The Dallas Rotary Club will collect food and funds for the Dallas Food Bank as part of an annual effort to support the non-profit that serves low-income families in Polk County. Donation sites will be available at several outlets in the Dallas area.
Members of Vancouver Rotary will conduct a cleanup project in downtown Vancouver, while the Rotary Club of Wilsonville will assist the City of Wilsonville with its Bulky Waste Day. The Rotary Club of Forest Grove will swing hammers to assist West Tuality Habitat for Humanity at its Forest Grove build site while the Canby Rotary Club will be doing work on a local picnic shelter. The Salem Rotary Club will lend volunteer manpower to Salem’s long-running Awesome 3000 youth footrace at Bush’s Pasture Park.
Two area clubs will host major fundraising events on the Epic Day of Service. Central East Portland Rotary will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a fundraising dinner and auction at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. Proceeds of the event will go towards deploying rapid DNA testing for Multnomah County law enforcement agencies. West Linn Rotary will hold its annual Barn Dance at the Oregon Golf Club, with proceeds benefitting the programs of the West Linn Rotary Foundation, with a specific emphasis on combatting human trafficking.
Battle Ground Rotary will celebrate the Epic Day of Service on Wednesday, May 20, conducting a cleanup along Battle Ground’s Main Street. Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Salem will wrap up its month-long book drive for the SMART program at its weekly meeting on Wednesday, May 6.
Several clubs are hosting fundraising events throughout May. The Rotary Club of Oregon City kicks it off with Derby Day on Saturday, May 2. The Kentucky Derby themed event, which includes viewing of the “Race for the Roses,” benefits the service outreaches of the club’s foundation.
The Rotary Club of Columbia County will host the Ace of Spayeds Casino Nite on Saturday, May 9, with proceeds benefitting the Columbia Humane Society. Battle Ground Rotary puts on its Spring Bunco Fundraiser on Wednesday May 13, combining the addictive dice game with raising funds for the Battle Ground Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Club of Forest Grove closes out the month with its 68th annual Plates for Passports dinner, which benefits the club’s involvement in the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
Information on these events and projects are provided by the sponsoring Rotary clubs. For more information, please contact the individual listed with each event. For general district media inquiries, contact Blake Timm at 503-320-3915 or [email protected].
Sat., May 2 | 1:30-4 p.m. | Rotary Club of Oregon City
Derby Day
Join the Rotary Club of Oregon City for its biggest FUNdraiser of the year. Enjoy an afternoon of games, prizes, delicious food, drinks, and a live viewing of the Kentucky Derby. Proceeds goes to the many organizations and projects that the Rotary Club of Oregon City helps fund. Past funding recipients have included the Children’s Center, Love One Mobile Shower Unit, Clackamas Free Clinic and more. Dressing in derby-style is encouraged. Tickets for the event are $50 each and can be purchased online. Game tickets are also available for $5 each or a bundle of five for $20.
At Derby Day, the club will draw for its “Trip of a Lifetime” raffle, with the winner selecting from either a five night Caribbean cruise, a three-night stay in Nashville or a four-night trip to Seattle and Victoria, B.C. Tickets are $25 each with only 300 sold, and the winner does not need to be present to win. Order raffle tickets online.
Location: Providence Willamette Falls Community Center, 519 15th St., Oregon City, OR 97045
Club Contact: Trieste Andrews, 971-322-8610, [email protected]
Wed., May 6 | Noon | Rotary Club of Salem
SMART Book Drive
The Rotary Club of Salem concludes its book drive for the SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) program at its club meeting on Wed., May 6. The club is accepting donations of new or “gently used” picture and board books appropriate for babies and for children of young elementary school age. Culturally relevant books and non-English language books, especially in Spanish, are particularly welcome. Look through the bookshelves of your children and grandchildren, and even get older children to help make selections, and let them know that their shared books will go to other children who don’t have lots of books, or perhaps any at all.
Location: Broadway Commons, 555 Gaines St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
Club Contact: Ann Syrett, 202-352-7400, [email protected]
Sat., May 9 | 5-8 p.m. | Rotary Club of Columbia County
Ace of Spayeds Casino Nite
Clip on your rhinestone earrings, tip your fedora and Join the Rotary Club of Columbia County for a 60s-themed casino night to raise funds for the Columbia Humane Society. The $30 admission ticket includes $100 in gambling chips, two drink tickets and snacks. The top winner of the evening will have first choice of the prizes. Register in advance online.
Location: Columbia City Community Hall, 1850 2nd St., Columbia City, OR 97018
Club Contact: Cassie Asumendi, 971-708-3767, [email protected]
Wed., May 13 | 5 p.m. | Battle Ground Rotary
Spring Bunco Fundraiser
It’s bunco time once again! Join Battle Ground Rotary for its spring bunco “fun”draiser. Join Rotarians and friends at the Prairie Tavern for an evening of laughter, craziness and great food. The traveling chicken will also make its return (if you know, you know). Get there early and get your food and drink before the games begin at 5:30 p.m, Proceeds benefit the Battle Ground Rotary Foundation to support local and international service projectS. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online.
Location: Prairie Tavern, 14925 NE Caples Rd., Brush Prairie, WA 98606
Club Contact: Becky Hanenkrat, 503-705-6491, [email protected]
Sat., May 16 | Rotary Club of Salem
Awesome 3000
Members of the Rotary Club of Salem will spend the Epic Day of Service volunteering for the Awesome 3000. Now in its 43rd year, the Awesome 3000 is a youth foot race around Bush’s Pasture Park, beginning and ending inside McCullough Stadium. Over 400 volunteers are needed for the event, mostly for about four hours in the morning. Support is also needed on Thursday and Friday for packet pickup. Funds from the event benefit the Salem-Keizer School Fund of the United Way of Mid-Willamette Valley. Pre-registration for volunteering is required on the Awesome 3000 website.
Location: McCullough Stadium, 890 Mission St. SE, Salem, OR 97301
Club Contact: Lauren Gutierrez, 503-860-4840, [email protected]
Sat., May 16 | Canby Rotary
Picnic Shelter Rehabilitation Project
Join Canby Rotary on the Epic Day of Service to help rehabilitate a picnic shelter that is adjacent to the new Canby Adult Center. Club members will do prep work on Wednesday, May 13, with the bulk of work taking place on May 16. The shelter is dedicated to the memory of Jeanne Reif, who is the mother of two of Canby’s club members and the grandmother of another. Jeanne was very involved in the Canby community and the shelter was dedicated to her following her death. Both Rotarians and community members are welcome to join the effort.
Location: 1520 N. Holly St., Canby, OR 97013
Club Contact: James Hunsaker, 503-266-3456, [email protected]
Sat., May 16 | 8 a.m. | Rotary Club of Forest Grove
Build Day With West Tuality Habitat For Humanity
As part of Rotary’s Epic Day of Service, members of the Rotary Club of Forest Grove will join West Tuality Habitat for Humanity at its latest build, helping to provide affordable housing in Western Washington County. No experience is necessary and tools and know-how are provided. All are invited to join the effort, but must fill out Habitat’s online Volunteer Application in advance.
Location: Countryman Estates Build Site, 1514-1520 23rd Ave., Forest Grove, OR 97116
Club Contact: Amanda Hartmann, 503-799-0615, [email protected]
Sat., May 16 | 8 a.m. | Rotary Club of Wilsonville
Bulky Waste Day
Rotary’s Epic Day of Service aligns with the semi-annual Bulky Waste Day held by the City of Wilsonville. The event allows Wilsonville residents to bring large household items to Republic Services for disposal. For those unable to participate on their own, pre-scheduled pickup is available through the City of Wilsonville. Rotarians will work alongside other volunteers to provide those pickups, helping ensure that more residents can take part. More details are available on the City of Wilsonville’s website.
Club Contact: Kyle Hagmeier, 503-260-9414, [email protected]
Sat., May 16 | 9 a.m. | Vancouver Rotary
Vancouver Cleanup
Members of Vancouver Rotary will help keep their community clean on Rotary’s Epic Day of Service, conducting a cleanup event in downtown Vancouver south of Mill Plain Blvd. Look for Rotarians wearing their “Rotarians at Work” shirts.
Club Contact: Jan Asai, [email protected]
Sat., May 16 | 10 a.m. | Dallas Rotary Club
Dallas Community Food Drive
The Dallas Rotary Club will celebrate the Epic Day of Service by collecting food and funds for the Dallas Food Bank. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rotarians will be outside of Grocery Outlet, Safeway, Walmart and Les Schwab Tire Center to accept donations. The most needed non-perishable foods include canned fish, meats, fruits and vegetables, canned chili, pork and beans, tomato sauce, and peanut butter. The Dallas Food Bank has served hundreds of low-income families in Polk County since 1983. Last year’s drive netted more than 2,400 pounds of food for those families.
Location: Dallas locations of Grocery Outlet, Safeway, Walmart and Les Schwab Tire Center
Club Contact: Eddie Nelson, 503-857-5042, [email protected]
Sat., May 16 | Noon | Wilsonville, Chehalem Valley, Newberg, Newberg Early Birds, Sherwood & Tualatin Clubs
Reborn Bikes/Bike Rodeo For Kids
As part of Rotary’s Epic Day of Service, this multi-club effort teams clubs in the south Portland Metro Area and Yamhill County with Reborn Bikes to deliver refurbished bicycles, safety gear and programing to underserved kids. Need a minor repair? Bring it down and the on-site repair team will take a look at it. Old bikes will also be accepted for donation to be refurbished and given back to the community.
Location: 29100 SW Town Center Loop W., Wilsonville, OR 97070
Club Contact: Glenda Walls, [email protected]
Sat., May 16 | 1-5 p.m. | Rotary District 5100
Rotary Youth Exchange Country Fair & Talent Show
Join Rotary Youth Exchange students from across northern Oregon and southwest Washington, and from around the world, for an unforgettable afternoon of culture, connection and creativity. This event celebrates Rotary District 5100’s incredible youth exchange program and students as they share their home countries through interactive booths, food and traditions, along with some live performances. This is a chance to learn more about the world and about how high school students can experience that world through Rotary Youth Exchange. This event is co-presented by the Cascade Pacific Council of Scouting America.
Location: Rise Church, 10445 SW Canterbury Ln., Tigard, OR 97224
Club Contact: Amy Sorenson, 541-515-1758, [email protected]
Sat., May 16 | 5 p.m. | Central East Portland Rotary
40th Anniversary Fundraiser
Help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Central East Portland Rotary Club with a fundraising event to benefit the Central East Portland Rotary Foundation, which will use the net proceeds to support the purchase of equipment, lab set-up, personnel and training to deploy rapid DNA testing in Multnomah County. The celebration includes both live and silent auctions. Formal attire is requested with black tie optional. Tickets are $150 each and a sponsorship for table of eight available for $1,000, which includes wine service. Tickets will be available at the door or by contacting the club.
Location: St. George Antiochian Orthodox Curch, 2101 NE 162nd Ave., Portland, OR 97230
Club Contact: Ron Gullberg, 503-789-1916, [email protected]
Sat., May 16 | 5:30 p.m. | West Linn Rotary
Barn Dance 2026
Join the West Linn Rotary Club for a fun evening of food, camaraderie, fundraising and dance at its annual Barn Dance. Proceeds from the event, and its affiliated silent auction, benefit the West Linn Rotary Foundation and its outreaches, with a particular focus on youth services. As part of that focus, a paddle raise will benefit programs combatting human trafficking. Tickets are $85 each, or a table of 10 is $800. Tickets can be purchased online.
Location: Oregon Golf Club, 25700 SW Petes Mountain Rd., West Linn, OR 97068
Club Contact: Connie Sutherland, 503-709-1880, [email protected]
Wed., May 20 | 5:30 p.m. | Battle Ground Rotary
Battle Ground Main Street Cleanup
The Battle Ground Rotary Club will be out beautifying their town along Battle Ground’s Main Street. Join Rotarians in sweeping, weeding and picking up trash in Old Town Battle Ground, helping the city get ready for the summer. Bring your own tools and a great attitude of service to do good in the world. This project is the club’s contribution to the Rotary Epic Day of Service.
Location: Main Street, Battle Ground, WA
Club Contact: Becky Hanenkrat, 503-705-6491, [email protected]
Fri., May 29 | 5-8 p.m. | Rotary Club of Forest Grove
Plates For Passports
Now in its 68th year, Plates For Passports, formerly the Rotary Steak Feed, brings the community together for food and fellowship in a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Forest Grove’s involvement in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Patrons receive their choice of a barbeque New York steak or veggie burger, along with baked beans, salad, rolls, baked potato, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. Beer and wine will also be available for an additional charge. Dine in at Pacific University’s dining commons or take your meal to go. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online. For more information, visit the event website.
Location: University Center, Pacific University Forest Grove Campus, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116
Club Contact: Blake Timm, 503-320-3915, [email protected]
ABOUT ROTARY DISTRICT 5100
With 62 clubs and more than 2,100 members across northern Oregon and southwest Washington, Rotary District 5100 is a forward-thinking, Service Above Self organization. District 5100 clubs are where Rotarians in communities across the region turn everyday actions into meaningful change – both locally and globally – while forging strong connections and friendships. Learn more at www.rotarydistrict5100.org.