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Because of this support, we are able to continue making a meaningful impact in our community through grants and service projects.
A big thank you to our fundraiser sponsors!
Platinum Sponsors:
Bronze Sponsors:
Other Supporters:
At the end of July, our Metro North Rotarians swapped out their pasta and breadsticks at Biaggi’s for a hands-on opportunity to serve the community! Members rolled up their sleeves to volunteer at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor’s 23rd Annual Fish-O-Rama, our club’s first volunteer project of the 2025-2026 Rotary year.
Fish-O-Rama is a unique fundraiser where the Boys & Girls Clubs release tagged catfish into Robbins Lake. Participants fish for these tagged catfish, and when they catch one, they can exchange it for a prize — creating a fun and family-friendly event that draws the community together in support of the Club. Our Rotarians helped with check-in, assisting pre-registered participants in picking up their event bags, and ensuring the day ran smoothly.
This event supports the Boys & Girls Clubs’ mission to inspire and enable young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential. With over 300 kids served each day, nearly 50,000 nutritious meals provided annually, and programs in arts, STEM, and career development, the Club’s impact is significant. Volunteering at Fish-O-Rama gave our members a chance to connect with the community and kick off the Rotary year with meaningful service.Several of our Rotary Club members recently spent their lunch hour making a difference by volunteering with Take Away Hunger in Cedar Rapids! Together, we packaged 2,000 meals that will provide nourishment to those in need—both right here in Cedar Rapids and abroad in Ukraine. It was a rewarding hands-on experience, reinforcing our commitment to Service Above Self and the power of community action.
Take Away Hunger is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting food insecurity by providing nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals to individuals and families in need. Their meal-packaging events bring volunteers together to make an immediate impact while supporting a mission to eliminate hunger both locally and globally. We’re grateful for the opportunity to support this vital work and help bring hope to those facing food insecurity.
We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our first-ever Envelope Challenge fundraiser! Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we sold all 150 envelopes and raised over $12,000 to support children in need both locally and internationally.
We held the official grand prize drawing at our regular Thursday meeting on February 13th, and the winners are:
Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who participated! Whether you purchased an envelope, helped spread the word, or cheered us on, your support made this fundraiser a success.
A special thank you to our incredible sponsors—Nelson Electric, Bankers Trust, Solum Lang Architects, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, ITC and F&M Bank! Your generosity and partnership made this event possible, and we are beyond grateful for your commitment to our mission.
With the success of this inaugural fundraiser, we are excited about the future and the continued impact Metro North Rotary can make in our community and beyond. Stay tuned for more ways to get involved and make a difference!
Thank you for your support!
Earlier this month, we had the privilege of serving a meal at Mission of Hope - Cedar Rapids, an organization that provides a vital Weekday Meal Program offering free meals to those in need. Led by Executive Director Chris Caswell, the program serves hundreds of individuals each week, with over 80 people attending the day we served, though the numbers can reach up to 150. Amid the growing demand, Mission of Hope has seen a 30% increase in meal recipients while donations have unfortunately decreased, making community support more important than ever.
When Chris, one of our dedicated Rotarians, reached out for additional meal providers, we were happy to step in and support this great cause. If you're looking to make a difference, consider volunteering or donating to Mission of Hope. It's a rewarding way to give back to the community. To learn more about their programs and how you can help, visit Mission of Hope's website.
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