Willmar Rotary Club

06/01/2026

Congratulations to our youth exchange student, Rafa, who graduated from WHS on Sunday! And a BIG thanks to all the Rotary members and host families who showed up to celebrate Rafa and his graduation yesterday!

We're still looking for TWO additional host families for the 2026-27 exchange student! Please share the news and reach out if interested!

05/12/2026

Willmar Rotary is looking for two more host families for the 2026-27 school year to welcome our next youth exchange student, Lojza, a 15-year-old boy from the Czech Republic!
Lojza is excited to experience American life, school spirit and new adventures. He loves soccer, skiing, climbing, hiking, cooking and spending time outdoors.

Hosting an exchange student is so much more than providing a place to stay. It’s sharing meals, traditions, laughter, everyday life and creating lifelong friendships and memories along the way. ❤️

These photos highlight some of the memorable experiences our current exchange student, Rafa from Brazil, has shared with his host families this school year — from Minnesota adventures and family dinners to holidays and community events.

Families host for approximately 3–4 months, and our local Rotary support team is here every step of the way. Families of all kinds are welcome!

Interested in learning more or opening your home for this unforgettable experience? We’d love to connect with you! Please share with others who might be interested!

Contact Bill Adams
📞 320.231.8506
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 For more information on hosting visit: northstarrotary.com

04/22/2026

🎶 The secret is out🎶
We had an incredible time at our Rockin’ Robbins Reveal Party, celebrating the 10th Anniversary! From announcing this year’s amazing band lineup to connecting with the sponsors who make it all possible—we were full of community spirit.

A huge thank you to our generous sponsors and everyone who joined us for the reveal. Your support is what keeps the music playing! See some fun photos of sponsors we were able to track down at the reveal today!

The countdown is on… Can’t wait to see you all this summer!🎸

04/18/2026

We had a full house and full attention this week at the Willmar Area Rotary Club 👏
Cameron Macht, Regional Analysis & Outreach Manager with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), had everyone locked in with a truly insightful look at local and statewide economic trends. His perspective on our region sparked great conversation.

Grateful for speakers who bring clarity, data, and real-world impact to the table. Thank you Cameron!

04/09/2026

We are proud to support this fun and yummy community event! See you out at the Willmar Civic Center on April 24th!

Pack your bags, we’re taking a trip around the world right here at the Willmar Civic Center!

We invite you to the International Heritage Festival, a true celebration of the people and traditions that define the Willmar Lakes Area. Whether you’re coming for the world-class food or the breathtaking cultural performances, there is a seat at the table for everyone.

Willmar Lakes Area Vision 2040 is about engagement and connection. Let’s show up for one another and celebrate what makes us beautifully diverse!

Pro-Tip: Skip the parking stress! Take the FREE Kubie Transportation shuttle.

Check the comments below for a link to the full event details!

03/18/2026

Huge thank you to Doug Kveene, Andrew Kveene, and Dave Lady who attended a three-day, North Central President-Elect Training Seminar last week. Attendees participated in workshops and networking events designed to enhance leadership skills and foster collaboration among peers. It was a wonderful opportunity for Andrew, who was preparing for his upcoming Presidential year starting this summer. Three days. So much learning. Awesome Impact! 👏

03/13/2026

We love having a wide variety of presenters at our Rotary meetings! Last week we were fortunate to welcome the Sunburg Community Fiddlers. They shared the history behind a variety of musical pieces, inspired us with their sense of community and gave us a wonderful performance!

If you would like to hear them live be sure to check out their concert this Saturday at East Norway Church. See more details at Sunburg Community Center or the picture of the flyer in the post 🎻

03/02/2026

Friday evening well spent at our Regional Rotary Club Experience Workshop!

We had a wonderful time connecting with fellow Rotary clubs, sharing ideas, celebrating what’s working, and collaborating on ways to strengthen the overall club experience.

It was a fun, energizing evening — and we walked away with great ideas to bring back to our own clubs and communities. 💙⚙️

02/17/2026

Please join us in congratulating Andrew Kveene on being named a recipient of the Chamber’s Emerging Leadership Award—an honor recognizing outstanding local leaders under 45 who demonstrate dedication, service, and heart for their community.

A graduate of Willmar, Andrew returned home after time in the Twin Cities to raise his family and launch his business as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. His passion for community is evident through his many roles, including leadership with WCI, co-founding the Willmar Softball Association and Centrasota JO Volleyball Club, member of the Willmar Area Chamber Diplomats, and newly named President-Elect of the Willmar Rotary Club, where he will begin serving as President this July.

Through coaching, mentoring, and tireless volunteerism, Andrew has impacted countless young people and families and supported areas business in our area. We are honored to call Andrew a fellow Rotarian and grateful to have his leadership shaping our community. Congratulations, Andrew!👏

Photos: Andrew is pictured alongside fellow Emerging Leadership Award recipients, who all represent the spirit of service, collaboration, and commitment that strengthens our entire community. Well done! Thank you Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce for celebrating our local leaders!

01/23/2026

We were honored to welcome our guest presenter this week, Katie Kray, who shared her incredible experience serving two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama. 🌍
Her stories gave us perspective, an understanding of community impact, and reminded us how powerful it is when people come together to serve. It was inspiring to see how closely the values of Rotary and the Peace Corps align.

We thank you so much for traveling to Willmar to share your experience!