In addition to Youth on Their Own, our Primary Beneficiary for the 2026-2028 car shows, this year we have four finalists who will be competing for the two Secondary Beneficiary spots in the upcoming 2027 & 2028 car shows. Please come to the meeting on September 16, 2026 to hear their presentations and cast your votes for your two favorites:
Literacy Connects was formed through the merger of five Tucson-area literacy organizations, including Reading Seed, a program with longstanding ties to the Rotary Club of Tucson. While Literacy Connects provides literacy programming for children and adults, a highlighted program is Reading Seed, which pairs trained volunteer reading coaches with elementary students to build reading skills, confidence and a love of reading. Staff emphasized the importance of early intervention and the transition by third grade from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”
Founded in 1990, Parent Aid works to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families before challenges become crises. Its mission is to build “confident, connected families through parent education and a nurturing community.” Parent Aid’s approach is strengths-based and preventive, emphasizing connection, practical parenting skills, reducing stress and isolation, and meeting families without judgment. Its services are organized within five “Pillars of Family Strengthening.”
Sister José Women’s Center provides a low-barrier day center and overnight shelter for women experiencing homelessness, offering meals, showers, laundry, clothing, respite, shelter, case navigation and connections to health, behavioral health, housing and employment resources. The Center serves approximately 1,900 unduplicated day guests annually, with about 400 women using the overnight program. Staff described a strategic shift from primarily measuring outputs, such as meals, visits and bed nights, toward helping guests achieve greater stability and measuring longer-term outcomes.
Founded in 2021, Tucson Family Food Project addresses childhood food insecurity by providing students with weekly meal kits they prepare at home for their families. Each kit feeds at least four people and includes ingredients for a different recipe, along with a YouTube cooking tutorial and simplified written instructions in English and Spanish. The program combines access to food with cooking skills, nutrition education, family connection, and opportunities for youth to build confidence and independence.
Please feel free to watch a short video for each Charity at:
September EAT: Good Food, Great Company & Zero Leftovers
Rotarians were out and about again for September’s Events Around Town (EAT)—because sometimes the best Rotary conversations happen with a menu in hand!
This month, members spread out across Tucson, gathering at Union, Vivace, and Locale, while the women headed to Roadies for their own afternoon of good food, great conversation, and plenty of laughs. Different restaurants, different tables, and plenty of stories—but one thing stayed the same: Rotary fellowship was definitely on the menu!
A big thank-you to all of our EAT hosts who took the time to organize the gatherings, reserve the tables, and bring Rotarians together. Your efforts make these outings possible—and make it easy for everyone to enjoy a little food, fellowship, and fun outside the usual meeting room!
EAT is the perfect chance to step away from the usual meeting routine, connect with fellow Rotarians, and enjoy some delicious Tucson dining along the way. Missed this round? Keep your fork ready—there’s always another EAT around the corner! 🍽️😄
We’re looking for Cookie Sponsors! 🍪 Next available Date: October 21st
Help us keep our luncheons sweet, welcoming, and delicious by becoming a $260 Cookie Sponsor!
As a sponsor, your business will get some tasty exposure with: ✨ Recognition on the Rotary website & in the Meeting Running Slide Show ✨ A shout-out in the Rotary bulletin ✨ A special announcement at the luncheon ✨ Your business logo featured on table tents placed right on the cookie trays!
It’s a small investment with a BIG helping of visibility—and everyone loves cookies!
Want to be our next Cookie Sponsor? Let’s get this cookie jar filled! 🍪
Rotary is all about the people who make our lives special—and now it’s your turn to introduce them!
For just $50, join our Family Fun Club and share a special photo of your friends or family.
📸 Your photo will be featured in our Family Fun Club collage, proudly displayed at every Rotary meeting!
And when it’s your turn, you’ll get the spotlight at a lunch meeting to share a little story about your favorite people—the laughs, the memories, and what makes them so special to you.
$50 to join • Share a special photo • Tell your story • Show off your favorite people! ❤️
Because Rotary is better when we get to know the people behind the Rotarians!
A quick note: I'm Holly Stein, and I'll be taking over these cleanups from Lee Olitsky — big shoes to fill! Lee's off on new adventures, and I'm excited to keep this great tradition going with all of you.
Saturday, September 19 8:00 AM Meet at Pinz Bowling - 501 W River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704
We'll provide trash grabbers, neon vests, and trash bags — just bring your gloves and a smile And yes, there will be snacks!
It's a fun, easy way to make a real difference in our community. Grab a friend and come make Tucson shine with us!
Saturday September 26th from 9:00AM - Noon, our Club is scheduled to work together at the Community Food Bank. They will be ready for 50 of us to be there, so please check your calendars then email/text/call Lori or I if you (or others you know at least 16 years of age) can make it.
Where: Community Food Bank at 3003 S Country Club Rd. Tucson, AZ 85713 When: Saturday September 26, 2026, 8:45 AM to check in then work 9:00 AM - Noon Why: To help our Tucson and Southern AZ neighbors Who: The Rotary Club of Tucson members, family members/friends etc. What: Have fun with your Rotary friends packing food boxes for people in need Wear: Closed toed shoes are required and wear your blue Rotary shirt (if you have one) Lunch after: We will meet for more fellowship and lunch after we finish at Barrio Brewing Co. 800 E. 16th Tucson. 85719
Our next Replacement/Social Mixer will be held the evening of September 30th at Trident Grill II on the Patio, 2910 N. Swan from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is a great way to meet your fellow Rotarians in a relaxed setting. Registration is now open under Upcoming Events on the homepage of the website www.tucsonrotary.org. Please be sure to register your guests. Guest fee is $36 billed to your member account. Hope to see you there...
You don’t want to be one of the few who miss this. Accurate rumors are already flying that this will be our most fun, impressive extravaganza/lallapaloosa/production yet…..
Details, Details, Details:
Date: October 2, 2026
Day: Friday
Start time: 5:30 PM
End time: That's up to you.
Who's invited: All the cool Rotarians (hence your invitation).
Who else is invited: Anyone/everyone who is philanthropic, fun, and who YOU believe would be a great new Rotarian; and/or your significant other.
Cost of entry: $20 plus an interesting bottle of whisky, tequila, or mescal.
Can the bottle go back home with you?: Absolutely. (if it’s open, transport it in your trunk).
Bonus Points for: A bourbon that impresses Brett Stein, a tequila that impresses Luis, a mescal that impresses Gordy, or a Rye that impresses me (FYI - I'm way easier to impress than these other connoisseurs).
Food:But of course... ample amounts of your favorite munches.
Where: At the charming home of our very own award-winning Luis Hernandez and his amazingly gracious, impressive, and wonderful wife Fernanda.
Where (more specific): 10127 N Black Dalea Drive, Marana. (Luis is personally guaranteeing that it will absolutely be worth the drive).
For many children, coming home means asking, “What’s for dinner?” For others, coming home to a complete, nourishing meal is a daily challenge.
Fellow Rotarians,
This October, I’m inviting my fellow Rotary of Tucson members to join me in supporting the Family Food Project—a project that helps children who may not have consistent access to a fully nourishing meal at home.For some of these children, the challenge goes beyond feeding themselves. They may have younger brothers and sisters at home who are hungry, too.
The Family Food Project takes a unique approach. Instead of simply providing a prepared meal, children receive the ingredients and guidance to prepare a simple, nourishing meal for themselves and their siblings.They aren’t just receiving food. They’re learning how to turn ingredients into a meal.We Pack. They Cook. Families Are Fed.That’s where we, as Rotarians, can help.Our volunteers will come together to portion, organize, and pack the ingredients that go into these meal kits. The children can then take those ingredients home and prepare a complete meal.A few hours of our time can help put the right ingredients into the hands of a child who otherwise may not know what dinner will look like that evening. And while the immediate goal is nourishment, the impact reaches further.Each meal gives a child an opportunity to develop confidence, independence, and a practical skill they can use again and again.
Rotary’s Vision in Action
Rotary’s vision calls us to come together, take action, and create lasting change in our communities.This is a simple way for us to live that vision.
We can help address an immediate challenge—children coming home without reliable access to a nourishing meal—while empowering them with skills that can make a difference beyond a single evening.Join Me This October Our first Rotary volunteer day will be:
Friday, October 2, 2026 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
After our October kickoff, we will continue volunteering the first Friday of every month from 9:00–11:00 AM.
Come once or make it a monthly commitment. Bring another Rotarian, a colleague, or a friend who believes in serving our Tucson community.Two hours may not feel like much. But somewhere in Tucson, a child will open a meal kit, pull out the ingredients, and prepare a nourishing meal for themselves—and maybe for a little brother or sister sitting beside them.
We pack the ingredients. They make the meal. Together, we help make sure more children come home to something nourishing.Two hours of service. One meal at a time. One stronger community.RSVP with Elena Ha at 520-235-6553.
It's Time to Pick Up Speed and Get to the Finish Line Strong.
Club members have sold 7,001 tickets as of 9/13 which is 25.7% of our 30,000 goal.
Start bringing in ticket money because there are only a few meetings left before the Car Show.
Oct. 7 is the deadline to turn in donated tickets for Davis Monthan AFB personnel
Oct. 15 is the last day to buy raffle and Classic Club tickets online to be mailed.
Oct. 21 is the last day to buy raffle tickets online for auto-entered ticket stubs
Oct. 21 is the last meeting to bring in money and unsold tickets.
Oct. 24 is the Car Show where we'll accept the last of the money and unsold tickets at the Command Center. The number of tickets sold to qualify for seller prizes is set this day.
Our October 24th Car Show is fast approaching, and we're stepping up our electronic marketing efforts to build excitement, increase attendance, and boost ticket sales.
Over the coming weeks, you'll receive emails from the Car Show Committee fromalanrogers.rotary@214663694.mailchimpapp.com with updates about the event, promotional materials, and information to help you sell tickets. We encourage you to forward these emails to friends, family, neighbors, and anyone else who might enjoy the show and support our cause.
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Thank you for your continued support of the Car Show and the charitable missions of the Rotary Club of Tucson. Your help makes a real difference, and we appreciate everything you do to help make this event a success.
All Rotary members need to be wearing a Rotary shirt for the car show on both Friday and Saturday . Shirts will be available for purchase on Wednesday, September 16th.
If you need a shirt, but can’t make the meeting, please call Nancy Bevens. 520-343-9920.
At the Rotary Club of Tucson, we believe in giving back to our community and supporting causes that make a real difference. And now, it’s easier than ever to contribute to our efforts!
We’re excited to highlight a new way for you to make your donations directly to the Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation – all from the comfort of your own home! Simply head to our website, where you’ll find the gold Donation button at the top right of the menu bar. Whether you're contributing to our Scholarships, making a General Donation, or supporting our Local Charities, your generosity will help fund important initiatives that uplift our community.
But wait, there’s more! If you're joining us for lunch at the next meeting, don’t forget to look for the blue scholarship cups on the tables. These cups now feature a QR code that will take you straight to the Donation Page with just a quick scan. No need for cash or checks – donate right from your phone!
We can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support of our Foundation. Your donations directly benefit our community and empower us to continue making a meaningful impact. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Rotary office.
Let’s continue to do good in our community – with a click, a scan, and your generous heart!
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Literacy Connects was formed through the merger of five Tucson-area literacy organizations, including Reading Seed, a program with longstanding ties to the Rotary Club of Tucson. While Literacy Connects provides literacy programming for children and adults, a highlighted program is Reading Seed, which pairs trained volunteer reading coaches with elementary students to build reading skills, confidence and a love of reading. Staff emphasized the importance of early intervention and the transition by third grade from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”
Founded in 1990, Parent Aid works to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families before challenges become crises. Its mission is to build “confident, connected families through parent education and a nurturing community.” Parent Aid’s approach is strengths-based and preventive, emphasizing connection, practical parenting skills, reducing stress and isolation, and meeting families without judgment. Its services are organized within five “Pillars of Family Strengthening.”
Sister José Women’s Center provides a low-barrier day center and overnight shelter for women experiencing homelessness, offering meals, showers, laundry, clothing, respite, shelter, case navigation and connections to health, behavioral health, housing and employment resources. The Center serves approximately 1,900 unduplicated day guests annually, with about 400 women using the overnight program. Staff described a strategic shift from primarily measuring outputs, such as meals, visits and bed nights, toward helping guests achieve greater stability and measuring longer-term outcomes.
September EAT: Good Food, Great Company & Zero Leftovers
🍪 Got a Sweet Spot for Supporting Rotary?
❤️ Family Fun Club: Show Us Your Favorite People!
And yes, there will be snacks!
Hello Rotary family-
Our next Replacement/Social Mixer will be held the evening of September 30th at Trident Grill II on the Patio, 2910 N. Swan from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is a great way to meet your fellow Rotarians in a relaxed setting. Registration is now open under Upcoming Events on the homepage of the website 
All Rotary members need to be wearing a Rotary shirt for the car show on both Friday and Saturday . Shirts will be available for purchase on Wednesday, September 16th.
At the Rotary Club of Tucson, we believe in giving back to our community and supporting causes that make a real difference. And now, it’s easier than ever to contribute to our efforts!
