Brainerd Lakes Sunrise Rotary

Brainerd Lakes Sunrise Rotary Service above Self

🚗 Brainerd Lakes Sunrise Rotary welcomed Deb Prazak, Executive Director of Brainerd Lakes Safe Ride, as our program spea...
09/02/2026

🚗 Brainerd Lakes Sunrise Rotary welcomed Deb Prazak, Executive Director of Brainerd Lakes Safe Ride, as our program speaker this morning.

Deb shared how Brainerd Lakes Safe Ride is helping make our community safer by providing transportation options for individuals who may otherwise drive impaired.

Since beginning in August 2022, Safe Ride has provided more than 8,000 rides and is now available through 32 local bars and establishments in the Brainerd Lakes Area. The program works with a local taxi service and provides up to $15 toward the cost of a ride home or to a hotel.

Brainerd Lakes Safe Ride is a nonprofit organization operated with the support of volunteers, local businesses, individual donations, and grants. It is a great example of people and organizations working together to make a real difference in our community.

Thank you, Deb, for joining us and sharing more about this important local program and the impact it continues to have throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area!

https://www.brainerdlakessaferide.com/

This morning at Brainerd Lakes Sunrise Rotary, we welcomed Kevin Pelkey and Lori Rubin from Lakes Area Habitat for Human...
08/26/2026

This morning at Brainerd Lakes Sunrise Rotary, we welcomed Kevin Pelkey and Lori Rubin from Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity.

Kevin and Lori shared more about Habitat’s process for selecting families for upcoming homes, including the incredible response they received — more than 60 applications for just four homes. They explained how families are selected and the work that goes into helping local families achieve safe, stable and affordable homeownership.

Thank you, Kevin and Lori, for joining us and giving our members a closer look at the important work Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity is doing in our community! 🏡💙

Also thank you to Ruth Ann Vieth for visiting and supporting both Rotary and Habitat.

Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity

Last night, our Brainerd Lakes Sunrise Rotary members were back at the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen, doing one of our favo...
08/26/2026

Last night, our Brainerd Lakes Sunrise Rotary members were back at the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen, doing one of our favorite monthly service projects. 💙

Together, we served 60 meals plus 10 meals to go!

A big thank you to Kiwanis members, Jan, and Jim for joining us and helping serve our community, and thank you to our Rotary crew: ** Andrew, Steve, Dan, Sandy, and Glenn**.

We’re grateful for the opportunity each month to come together, lend a hand, and put Service Above Self into action. 🌹

🌱 A great Rotary program this morning!Today, our very own Dr. Mark Gray shared a very informative program all about lawn...
08/19/2026

🌱 A great Rotary program this morning!

Today, our very own Dr. Mark Gray shared a very informative program all about lawn care and proper watering, especially during the dry summer conditions we’ve been experiencing.

Mark did his homework and came prepared with research on how often we should water, how much water our lawns really need, and the best practices for keeping grass healthy without overwatering.

It was a practical program with information we can all put to use right away — especially this summer!

Thank you, Mark, for taking the time to research the topic and share your knowledge with the Brainerd Lakes Sunrise Rotary Club. We always enjoy learning from our own members! 🌿💧

🎉 Please help us welcome our newest member!At our August 12 meeting, we were proud to officially install Glenn Thieling ...
08/17/2026

🎉 Please help us welcome our newest member!

At our August 12 meeting, we were proud to officially install Glenn Thieling as a new member of the Brainerd Lakes Sunrise Rotary Club.

We’re excited to have Glenn join our club and look forward to the energy, ideas, and service he’ll bring to Rotary and our community.

Pictured from left to right:
Jeff Olson, Secretary; Glenn Thieling, New Member; and Sharon Carr, President, presenting Glenn with his Certificate of Membership.

Welcome to Brainerd Lakes Sunrise Rotary, Glenn! We’re glad to have you as part of the club. 💙💛

🔥 A great Rotary program this morning!A huge thank you to Jen Elleraas for joining us and sharing her story, her passion...
08/12/2026

🔥 A great Rotary program this morning!

A huge thank you to Jen Elleraas for joining us and sharing her story, her passion for the fire service, and the important work she is doing to strengthen and support firefighters across Minnesota.

Jen began her fire service career in 2019 and previously served as both Captain and Assistant Chief with Garrison Fire & Rescue. In January, she made the move to the Crosslake Fire Department, where she now serves as a Firefighter and EMT.

Her commitment to the fire service reaches far beyond responding to calls. Jen has served as a MnFIRE Peer Supporter since 2022 and was appointed to the MnFIRE Board of Directors in January 2026, helping advocate for the health and wellness of Minnesota firefighters.

She is also the founder of Women Explore Fire Day in Minnesota, an initiative that gives women an opportunity to experience the fire service firsthand, break down barriers, and discover how they can become part of their local departments.

And her dedication has certainly been noticed! Jen was named the 2024 Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Fire Officer of the Year for communities under 10,000 and was selected as the 2025 Whelen Everyday Champion for her leadership, service, mentorship, and commitment to her community.

Thank you, Jen, for spending your morning with us and giving our Rotary members a look into the fire service, firefighter wellness, the importance of recruiting the next generation of firefighters, and the difference one person can make through service and leadership.

We were honored to have you as our Rotary program this morning! 🚒👏

Www.Womenexplorefire.com

An awe-inspiring update, by Travis Grossman, regarding all of the wonderful programs offered at Confidence Learning Cent...
07/16/2026

An awe-inspiring update, by Travis Grossman, regarding all of the wonderful programs offered at Confidence Learning Center.

Confidence Learning Center (often called Camp Confidence) is a nonprofit in East Gull Lake, Minnesota. Directed by Travis Grossman, it provides year-round outdoor and recreational experiences for people of all ages with cognitive and developmental disabilities.

Brainerd Sunrise Rotary was honored to hear from fellow Rotarian Jory Danielson, who provided an update on the recent Fl...
06/17/2026

Brainerd Sunrise Rotary was honored to hear from fellow Rotarian Jory Danielson, who provided an update on the recent Flanders Fire and the response efforts surrounding the incident.

Jory serves as the Administrative Services Director for Crow Wing County and is also a Captain with the Crosslake Fire Department. His firsthand perspective gave members valuable insight into the challenges faced by emergency responders and the coordinated efforts required to protect lives, property, and natural resources during a major wildfire event. The photos were incredible, and his explanation of how smoke behaves and how fire can spread through the tops of trees was especially informative and helped members better understand the complexity of wildfire response.

Jory also shared the three key words firefighters use to help pinpoint a fire’s location, discussed Minnesota’s unique air quality and environmental conditions, and highlighted the impressive aerial resources used during the response, including 13 planes and a Chinook helicopter. It was the largest air assault in Minnesota, 1712 acres burned. These details helped paint a vivid picture of the scale and coordination involved in fighting a major wildfire.

Thank you, Jory, for sharing your knowledge and experience with our club. More importantly, thank you for your dedication and service to our communities through both your professional role and your commitment to the fire service. We are grateful for all those who work tirelessly to keep our region safe.

Supporting Our Local Heroes! 🪵🚒We had a fantastic meeting this morning at Rotary! Our guest speaker was Lieutenant Craig...
06/10/2026

Supporting Our Local Heroes! 🪵🚒

We had a fantastic meeting this morning at Rotary! Our guest speaker was Lieutenant Craig Katzenberger from the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office.Lt. Katzenberger shared stories from his dedicated career in law enforcement and introduced us to Lakes Area Heroes. This incredible local non-profit raises funds to support our area's law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel and their families when they face hard times.He also gave us a closer look at the recent Flanders Fire. The fast-moving wildfire burned over 1,700 acres near Mission Township last month. He talked about the massive team effort required to protect our communities and keep families safe.Thank you, Lt. Katzenberger, for your service and for shedding light on the critical work being done to stand behind those who serve us every day!

👉 Learn more about how you can support our local first responders at Lakes Area Heroes. Lakes Area Heroes

☀️ This week, Brainerd Sunrise Rotary welcomed Father Steve Schaitberger as our guest speaker.Father Steve shared the fa...
06/03/2026

☀️ This week, Brainerd Sunrise Rotary welcomed Father Steve Schaitberger as our guest speaker.

Father Steve shared the fascinating history of the Rabbit River Indian Portage Trail, an important transportation route used by the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples long before roads connected our region. Through historical maps and research, he traced the trail’s path through the lakes, rivers, and portages of what is now the Brainerd Lakes and Cuyuna areas, highlighting its significance for travel, trade, and communication.

His presentation offered a unique glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and history that helped shape central Minnesota. It was a fascinating reminder that many of the routes we travel today have roots stretching back hundreds of years.

Thank you, Father Steve, for sharing your knowledge and helping us better understand the history of our region!

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Brainerd, MN

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