Spencer Rotary Club

06/01/2026

Rotary had a joint meeting with the Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis club. Dawne Garvey is the Corporate Donor Relations Manager for the Iowa Food Bank. They serve 55 counties in IA and 22.7 million meals were distributed last year- 8% more than 2024. 37% of Clay County residents are having trouble making ends meet especially with the cost of food increasing 32%. Every dollar donated is needed and .96 of that same dollar goes back to providing food.

05/29/2026

Spencer Rotary recently contributed $1500 to the Spencer Chamber of Commerce Flagfest celebration for free kids day at the Spencer Family YMCA (June 13) and $2500 to the Clay County Heritage Center for new shelves and sponsorship for the 250th Celebration.

05/18/2026

We had a joint meeting today with Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis at Occasions. City Manager Kevin Robinson, Former Mayor Steve Bomgaars and Clay County Supervisor Allen Batschelet explained how the newly passed property tax legislation in Iowa will reduce funding to the city and county budgets. The services we rely on (police, fire, parks, library and the planning department) will not be able to be funded at levels they previously have in the past.

05/15/2026

Rotary was proud to move some dirt in the official ground breaking ceremony of the new SMU Family Splash Pad yesterday next to the Aquatic Center. We have pledged $25,000 for this project. It’s scheduled to be open next summer!!

05/13/2026

Thank you to the The Spencer Daily Reporter for publishing all the businesses and people who donated to another successful Radio Day held on May 2nd. We raised over $11,000 and it all stays local. THANK YOU!

05/12/2026

We are happy to donate to the Clay County Heritage Center!

EXPANDING RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES. . . The Clay County Heritage Center was the recipient of a generous donation of $2,500 from Spencer's Rotary Club: $2,000 was earmarked for the purchase of four, 84" shelving units to provide additional space for artifacts made accessible for the public's use in the Rotary Media / Research Room and $500 will help fund the CCHC's Clay County 175th Anniversary Exhibition, set to launch in July.

Thanks, Spencer Rotary. We are grateful for your continued partnership!

05/11/2026

Rotary was at Occasions today! Bob Goeken invited longtime friend Mary Steele to be our program. This local author has penned 3 books. Her latest book is called “Somewhere Out There” and is about her journey looking for and meeting her half-brother Allan. She didn’t learn of him until days before her mom died. They ended up writing the book together. Allan died shortly after it was published. Mary is a great storyteller.

05/11/2026

Spencer Rotary Club members got to take part in Literacy Partners’ book distribution today at Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School. 1st and 2nd Grades got to pick their books and then we read to KinderKids and Kindergartners who also got books. So far Coordinator Mari Duncan has gotten 670 books in to the hands of children. Rotary proudly donated $2500 for this!! It was so fun to watch the kids!!

05/08/2026

Spencer Rotary was proud to give 4 $1000 scholarships to SHS Seniors on Wednesday night. Janey Carey, Mia Schwartz, Noah Fullhart and Averie Nelson were our recipients. We wish them the best in the future!!

05/04/2026

Rhonda brought in Craig Hodgson, the new GM at her radio station Spencer Media Group. Also Andrew Geelan recently joined the board of Spencer Young Professionals. He asked fellow directors Kendra Logan and Rachael Heuertz-Nelson to talk about upcoming events. The 3rd Tuesday of each month they host Lunch Gigs - May 19 it’s at Pizza Ranch. Everyone is welcome. YP is also hosting a bag-toss fundraiser on the fairgrounds on May 29th.