On Wednesday, September 30, from 5:30–7:30 PM we’re swapping the luncheon table for the Trident II patio and turning up the fellowship for an evening of drinks, laughs, and good old-fashioned Rotary fun.
There’s no podium, no program, and no need to pretend you’re checking your watch because the meeting is running long. Just come ready to relax, catch up with friends, meet someone new, and enjoy a little midweek mischief.
And, of course, bring a friend, colleague, or prospective member. It’s the perfect chance to show them that Rotary is about more than meetings—it’s about the people, the friendships, the fun, and the connections we make along the way.
Wednesday night. Trident II. Patio. Good people. Great vibes. What’s not to like?
PRESIDENT BOBBY LARSON rang the bell on a packed house! NATALIE JAYROE led the Pledge, followed by the club reciting Rotary’s Four-Way Test in unison — a great reminder for all of us, although we did miss our usual patriotic song and live piano! MARCY EULER’s Inspirational Moment connected golf to the Four-Way Test, noting that both begin with honesty and integrity. SAA DRE WILLIAMS welcomed our many guests, including a wonderful contingent visiting from Romania.
ELENA HA of Tucson Junk Co. was crowned COOKIE MONSTER before RICKY HUNLEY gave a rousing introduction of former PGA Tour professional and “hometown hero” DON POOLEY. Don told us his priorities are “faith, family, and golf, in that order.” After a highlight video, he shared his journey to the PGA Tour, the challenges of being a rookie pro, and the role his faith played along the way. Despite playing with numerous famous golfers, Don joked that everyone only asks about TIGER WOODS! He then shared a hilarious story about playing Tiger in front of more than 10,000 spectators — and Tiger finished 0–1 against DON POOLEY! Don also signed I Want to Be a Golfer for the Make Way for Books library.
Birthday cheers went out to JOE DANISZEWSKI, TOM MCKINNEY and KURTIS DAWSON. ADAM ENGLISH introduced new member ERICA CANTUA, whose hobbies include abstract painting, pickleball and raising goats — giving Adam plenty of opportunities for GOAT jokes!
CHUCK SAWYER presented NICOLE VAN WINDEN with her Blue Badge, and NICOLE shared that what she loves most about Rotary are the fellowships.
CHARLOTTE HARRIS presented Paul Harris Fellow recognition to BRUCE, ERIN and AIDAN JACOBS, with plenty of family teasing — including that BRUCE clearly “married up” and his important clarification that no one in his family attended Salpointe!
Our Romanian guests then took the stage as SALLY and ERNIE MONTAGNE generously bestowed Paul Harris Fellow recognition upon each of them.
EL NDOYE highlighted the upcoming 15th Annual Forgotten Children Gala on October 10th. MARCY EULER also had a Happy Jackson informing us of the Greater Tucson Leadership 74th Community Impact Awards - Nominations are open!
BOBBY wrapped things up with a big thank-you to DON POOLEY. Remember: no lunch meeting next week! We’ll gather instead for the Replacement/Social Mixer at Trident II on September 30th. See you there!
October is shaping up to be a very exciting month for the Rotary Club of Tucson with an outstanding lineup of programs and events you won’t want to miss!
We’ll kick off the month on October 7th with a truly special program, “Behind the Scenes of Broadway Blockbusters.” Multi-Tony Award-winning producer Alan Shorr will join our very own Broadway co-producer Allan Pressel for what promises to be a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at bringing a Broadway production to life. This is sure to be a spectacular meeting!
Then, on October 14th, we’ll gather at the Tucson Convention Center (TCC) for our 2026 Car Show Kick-Off Lunch Meeting. It’s always an exciting event, and we’re looking forward to getting everyone fired up for another great car show on October 24th! Remember, no Events Around Town lunches on this 2nd week of the month.
On October 21st, we’ll welcome Scott Altman, a retired U.S. Navy Captain and former NASA astronaut. Scott flew on four Space Shuttle missions and commanded the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.And here’s a fun connection you may not know about: Scott has a Top Gun connection! He flew the F-14 Tomcat aerial stunts and served as a flight double for the flying scenes in the original 1986 movie Top Gun. How cool is that?
With three outstanding programs, October is definitely a month you’ll want to mark on your calendar. Bring a guest, invite a friend, and come enjoy this awesome lineup with us!
Meeting Sponsorship Opportunities
We’re also looking for Meeting Sponsors for these upcoming programs. If you or your business would like some productive exposure and an opportunity to connect with our Rotary membership, we’d love to hear from you.
Reach out to the Rotary office to learn more about becoming a meeting sponsor. We’ll be happy to help connect your business with our membership and make the most of your sponsorship.
On September 11, 2026, 19 Rotarians and family members from the Rotary Club of Tucson (RCOT) joined other community volunteers in supporting Youth On Their Own’ s (YOTO) September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. While remembering 9/11, we helped YOTO be better prepared to serve their young homeless teens and provide an improved environment for them.
Savannah Galipeau, YOTO Volunteer Coordinator noted: "The volunteers from Rotary Club of Tucson came ready to get their hands dirty and make a huge difference for YOTO. 7,410 pairs of socks were assembled into 1,482 bundles for distribution to our students, just in time for fall and winter weather. Additionally, Rotarians assisted with a beautification project spreading 5 tons of gravel new gravel courtyard beautification project. The YOTO courtyard is now safe and beautiful for our youth to enjoy. Thank you, Rotarians!"
Elizabeth Slater, YOTO CEO added: "We are so honored to be a beneficiary of the Rotary Club of Tucson's Classics Car Show and for the opportunity to deepen our partnership with RCOT through service projects like the 9/11 Day of Service. The Rotarians who volunteered with us on 9/11 really demonstrated the spirit of coming together to help our neighbors - and together we made a huge impact on our physical space and our supply inventory.”
Thank you to the Rotary Club of Tucson members, Interact members, family and friends who volunteered Saturday morning at the Community Food Bank! Together, the 50 of us:
-Packed 1,789 food boxes totaling 41,000 pounds of food
-Sorted and bagged 2,000 pounds of potatoes
-Had fun creating new fellowship memories and helping our neighbors in need
Our next CFB volunteering date is scheduled for Saturday, December 12, 2026. Stay tuned for more details. Thanks again!
From the Community Food Bank dynamic duo- Lori Schroeder and Marcia Krumwiede
We’re looking for Cookie Sponsors! 🍪 Next available Date: November 4th
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!
Just a reminder to everyone participating in a Service Project: be sure to obtain a raffle ticket from the Project Leader on the day of the project. Write your name on the back of the ticket and return it to the Project Leader.The Project Leaders will then turn in all raffle tickets to either Joe Daniszewski, the lunch meeting registration table or to the Rotary office. At the end of each month, all tickets will be placed in a basket, and one lucky winner will be drawn to receive a prize!
Project Leaders: If you have not picked up raffle tickets to distribute at your project, please remember to grab tickets from the registration table before your event.
And one last reminder: please bring a couple of pens with you to the event so everyone can complete their raffle tickets.
Thank you for helping make this a fun part of our Service Projects!
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.
The Car Show Friday Night Dinner will take place the evening of October 23rd at the Gregory School, 3231 N. Craycroft, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Cost Per Person is $20 (includes two drink tickets, cash bar after) and will be billed to your account. The dinner is Lucky Wishbone Chicken. Please register on the club website www.tucsonrotary.org under “Upcoming Events”. Remember to register your guests. Hope to see you all there!
It's Time to Pick Up Speed and Get to the Finish Line Strong.
Club members have sold 8,508 tickets as of 9/20 which is 28.4% 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.
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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Rotary After Hours: Let the Good Times Roll 
ELENA HA of Tucson Junk Co. was crowned COOKIE MONSTER before RICKY HUNLEY gave a rousing introduction of former PGA Tour professional and “hometown hero” DON POOLEY. Don told us his priorities are “faith, family, and golf, in that order.” After a highlight video, he shared his journey to the PGA Tour, the challenges of being a rookie pro, and the role his faith played along the way. Despite playing with numerous famous golfers, Don joked that everyone only asks about TIGER WOODS! He then shared a hilarious story about playing Tiger in front of more than 10,000 spectators — and Tiger finished 0–1 against DON POOLEY! Don also signed I Want to Be a Golfer for the Make Way for Books library.
CHUCK SAWYER presented NICOLE VAN WINDEN with her Blue Badge, and NICOLE shared that what she loves most about Rotary are the fellowships.
Our Romanian guests then took the stage as SALLY and ERNIE MONTAGNE generously bestowed Paul Harris Fellow recognition upon each of them.
On September 11, 2026, 19 Rotarians and family members from the Rotary Club of Tucson (RCOT) joined other community volunteers in supporting Youth On Their Own’ s (YOTO) September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. While remembering 9/11, we helped YOTO be better prepared to serve their young homeless teens and provide an improved environment for them. 
🍪 Got a Sweet Spot for Supporting Rotary?
❤️ Family Fun Club: Show Us Your Favorite People!
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!
Food Tent Next to the Gregory School Lawn
