Rotary Club of Ottumwa

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Ottumwa, IA
Rotary Club of Ottumwa

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The Rotary Club of Ottumwa meets at noon every Monday at Bridge View Center.

11/10/2026

We had some special recognitions at this week’s Rotary meeting! 🎉

First, we presented a check to Cindy Emery with Iowa 4-H: Wapello County in appreciation of their volunteers who generously help make our annual Chicken BBQ a success. We are so grateful for their continued support!

We also celebrated three outstanding Rotarians and their commitment to service by recognizing their Paul Harris Fellow achievements:

⭐ Lloyd Keith received his Paul Harris +2 pin.
⭐ Clint Witt received his Paul Harris Fellow award.
⭐ Brett Phippen received his Paul Harris Fellow award.

Congratulations to Lloyd, Clint, and Brett, and thank you to all of our volunteers and members who continue to make a difference in our community through Rotary! 💛💙

11/09/2026

We were excited to welcome Mike, Erin, and Megan from Ottumwa Community School District to Rotary! They shared how their team works to build connections between students, families, and teachers while providing important mental health and family support services throughout the community.

We learned about several programs making a difference for local families:

🎄 Bulldog Giving Tree – Families in need can apply to receive assistance, and local organizations and individuals adopt families and shop for them. Last year, more than 300 students were adopted through the Giving Tree!

🍽️ Holiday Boxes – On December 16, 250 boxes filled with everything families need for Christmas dinner will be distributed to local families.

🎒 Back-to-School Event – Providing backpacks, school supplies, physicals, and additional services. Last year, this effort supported approximately 5,000 people and distributed more than 1,000 backpacks!

🤝 Community Resource Fair – Now in its fifth year, this event connects students and families with resources for housing, insurance, mental health, and other needs.

🥫 Friday Food Distribution – Through a partnership with the Food Bank, students help distribute approximately 175 food boxes every Friday at Gateway.

These programs are wonderful examples of what happens when schools and community partners come together to support families and make sure students have the resources they need to succeed.

Thank you, Mike, Erin, and Megan, for sharing the important work happening in our schools and for the many ways you support Ottumwa students and families! 💙🐾

11/06/2026

It's another installment of Feature Friday! Get to know the amazing people behind Ottumwa Rotary and the good work happening in our community!

Each Friday, we’ll spotlight one of our members and share a little about who they are and what makes them part of Rotary.

Follow along and get to know the people who make Rotary special! 💙💛

11/03/2026

💙 No Shave November: Growing Beards, Giving Hope! 💙

Today, we were joined by Kendra Thompson, and Levi Ritz to learn more about No Shave November and the meaningful impact it has on local families.

Started in 2014, No Shave November has become a way for our community to come together, raise awareness, and support children and families facing childhood cancer.

This year’s fundraiser will benefit a 2-year-old who is battling leukemia. The cause is especially close to Kendra’s heart, as her son Hank was a recipient of No Shave November support in 2022 while battling Ganglioneuroblastoma.

One of the ways the community can get involved is through the Run for the Kids 5K on Sunday, November 22, at 9:00 a.m. All proceeds will go directly toward supporting this year’s recipient.

It’s a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to support its own. Whether you grow a beard, participate in the 5K, or help spread the word, every bit of support makes a difference!

Learn more and follow along on the Ottumwa Police Association No Shave November page.

💙 Thank you to Kendra, and Levi for sharing this important cause with us!

10/30/2026

🎉 Introducing Feature Friday! 🎉

We’re excited to start a new series highlighting the incredible people who make up our Ottumwa Rotary Club!

Each Friday, we’ll introduce you to one of our amazing Rotarians, share a little about who they are, what they do, and why they’re passionate about making a difference in our community.

We’re kicking things off with one of our longest-standing Rotarians, Tom Lazio!

Rotary is about more than meetings and service projects. It’s about the people, friendships, and commitment to making our community a better place.

Follow along each Friday to get to know the wonderful people behind the good work happening in Ottumwa! 💙💛

10/26/2026

🎀 Breast Cancer Awareness at Rotary! 🎀

We were happy to welcome Lisa, Alex, and Jodie from Ottumwa Regional Health Center (ORHC) to our meeting to learn more about breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection.

Did you know that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime? Regular screenings play an important role in early detection, and ORHC is continuing to expand its breast imaging services to help support women’s health.

🩷 Here are some of the screening options available now and coming soon:

* Mammography: An important tool for breast cancer screening.
* Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS): Beginning in November, this additional screening tool will be available for women with dense breast tissue.
* Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Breast MRI: ORHC plans to add this option with its new MRI technology in the coming months, providing another tool for breast imaging.

Thank you to our guests for sharing their knowledge and helping us better understand the importance of breast health, screening options, and early detection!

💗 A reminder to prioritize your health and talk with your healthcare provider about the screening options that are right for you.

10/22/2026

📚🍎 Rotary Readers at Douma Elementary!

We spent time with the second graders at Douma today for Rotary Readers! ❤️ This week’s story was Becky and Lin’s Apple Orchard Park, a wonderful reminder that helping others doesn’t just make a difference for them — it makes us feel good, too!

We love sharing stories, spreading kindness, and helping our young readers grow! 💙💛

10/19/2026

🏫 What’s New in Ottumwa Schools?

Today, Ottumwa Rotary welcomed Landon Allen and Billy Strickler for an update on the progress happening across the Ottumwa Community School District!

Since launching the Be the Best initiative, the district has seen some exciting improvements, including 📈 better test scores, increased enrollment, and student gains following the implementation of the cell phone policy. The district is also adding preschool classrooms to support its youngest learners.

As the district enters the “Polished” phase of the Be the Best Initiative, the focus continues on building an even stronger school system through:
✨ Recruiting teachers and staff with innovative approaches, including TikTok and incentives
✨ Continuing to improve staff retention
✨ Implementing Kid Account, a safety and scheduling program
✨ Connecting school intercom systems for simultaneous communication
✨ Upgrading the Standard Response Protocol to strengthen school safety

It’s encouraging to see the district continuing to grow, adapt, and invest in students, staff, and school safety. Strong schools help build a strong community, and we appreciate Landon and Billy taking the time to share these updates with Rotary!

10/12/2026

🏛️ Rotary Meeting Recap: Wapello County Jail Bond Referendum

Today, we learned more about the proposed Wapello County Jail Expansion & Renovations Bond Referendum that voters will consider on November 3, 2026.

The proposed $45 million project would increase jail capacity from 196 to 316 beds and include renovations to the kitchen, laundry, and other support areas, along with security improvements and other facility updates.

We also discussed the challenges of housing inmates in other counties, including the $719,385 Wapello County spent from June 2025 through May 2026 on out-of-county inmate housing alone, not including transportation and other related expenses.

The goal of today’s discussion was to help our members better understand the proposal, its potential impact, and the information available to voters as they make an informed decision.

📅 Want to learn more? Public forums are being held throughout October at locations across Wapello County.

Visit www.WapelloCountyJailBallotMeasure.com for project details, estimated tax impacts, upcoming forums, and additional information.

Address

Ottumwa, IA

Website

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1668/

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