Learn more about Rotary Club of Waupaca Ambassadors here.
The Good Things We’re Doing!
The Beat Goes On Brings the Community Together
By Paul Sletten
On Saturday, April 25, Waupaca Rotary, Gold Cross Ambulance Service, and ThedaCare pulled together a unique community event called The Beat Goes On. The event was a community-wide health fair supported by the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh School of Nursing.
There was great participation from the Sheriff s Department, Waupaca Fire Department, and ThedaStar Helicopter. Educational booths demonstrated hands-only CPR with practice mannequins, and another booth highlighted the locations of the newly installed automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Many families with young children attended. Kids got to experience fire trucks, police cars, and dive boats firsthand and even climb into the helicopter. More than half a dozen nursing students from UW Oshkosh commented on what a unique community we live in.
Thank you to all the sponsors and participants who helped make The Beat Goes On such a success.
International Day at Waupaca High School was a great success!
By Sandy Testin
4 Inbound guests from the District joined Iria and Ronin and our 3 Rebounds (Ruthy, Alexandra, and Kate) to share their presentations about their countries with 19 classes and 2 lunch groups!
Some feedback from teachers:
A note from our new Spanish teacher, Ms Erickson
"Thank you so very much for helping to organize and to coordinate "International Day" for our school. This is my first year in the district and I cannot tell you how much my students and I enjoyed hearing about everyone's experiences and lives. We learned a lot today and my students were really engaged. Please send my appreciation to all students and adults involved."
And a note from Mrs Kroseberg, from the Family and Consumer Science Department
"Thank you so much for organizing the exchange student presentations on Friday! Your speakers were wonderful, and my students were genuinely engaged and inspired by hearing about their experiences abroad. I was particularly moved by what you shared about food being such a meaningful part of the cultural exchange. It's a good reminder that culture is so much more than facts and figures; it's deeply personal.
I'm excited to continue this partnership! Alex will be joining our class soon to share her perspective as well, and I know our students will benefit tremendously from hearing directly from another Waupaca student who has lived the exchange experience firsthand.
Thank you for everything Rotary does to foster global understanding and support our students' growth. We look forward to welcoming your speakers again next year!"
Special thanks to the RYE Committee for hosting, feeding, entertaining, transporting and moderating discussions at school all day!!!
Venue Change for our June 3rd Meeting
By Henry B. Veleker
The Environment Committee will be hosting our Wednesday, June 3 meeting.
Location: Riverview Park Shelter (on the eastside near the Courthouse)
Breakfast will be provided
The Speaker for the meeting will be our very own Glen Bullick, as he talks about the flora and fauna in east central Wisconsin.
Following the meeting, Glen will lead a hike on the River Ridge Trail segment which is adjacent to Riverview Park. The trail traverses city land as well as the school forest.
Maximum number for hike is around 15 people.
A sign-up sheet will be sent around in the coming weeks for club members to sign up.
Community Impact Grant Thank You Letter
By Wesley Klages
The School District of Waupaca recently sent over their appreciation for the Community Impact Grant they had received.
You can read that "Thank You" letter here.
Paul Harris Recognition - Dawn Biba
By Dennis Everson
Pictured with Dawn - Dennis Everson (L) and Glen Bullick (R).
At our meeting on 4/22 Dawn Biba was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. This award goes to people who give $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation, or on whose behalf is given $1,000. Dawn exemplifies Rotary in her kindness, commitment, and service. Congratulations, Dawn, your honor is well-deserved.
Volunteer Waupaca Day of Service on May 16th
By Chuck P Reynolds
Let’s work together to do some good.
Over 75 opportunities to serve. We've heard back from organizations around the area about the service opportunities they'll have available for our Volunteer Waupaca Day of Service on May 16th. There will be something for everyone, from outdoor clean-up and beautification, to a range of indoor tasks at the library, to visiting with residents at the veterans' home.
Volunteer Opportunity – Iola Car Show Courtesy Driver
By Michael P Phelan
For the past four years, the Rotary Club of Waupaca has fulfilled a crucial (and very fun) volunteer function for The Iola Car Show - driving courtesy golf carts. And since the car show provides stipends for its volunteers, it's helped us raise about $2,500 each year to support the good things we're doing for our community and around the world.
The volunteer sign-up sheet is now ready. All you need to do to secure a volunteer spot is:
Sign up, and put the date and time on your calendar
Driving courtesy carts is really fun. You get to meet people from all over the country (and sometimes other countries) who flock to our area for the one-of-a-kind experience of the Iola Car Show. We are more than drivers, we are ambassadors for Rotary and for our beautiful community.
Click the link, and sign up today!
2025-2026 Global Grant Approval - Guatemala Literacy Project
By Jim Lawrence
The Rotary Clubs of Vista Hermosa and Fruita are thrilled to announce that the Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP) Global Grant for the 2025-2026 Rotary year has been approved by The Rotary Foundation! Global Grant #2578323 amounts to a total of $484,370 USD in support!
A total of 128 clubs and 26 districts contributed to this Global Grant, which aims to bring literacy, education, and training opportunities to over 5,400 children and teachers in rural Guatemala.
THANK YOU for partnering with us in this successful effort, and congratulations on your great work!
The Waupaca Rotary Club has assisted with funding this group for the last 4 years!!!
Service Projects Committee Update
By Robert Menzies
The Waupaca Rotary Service Projects Committee has recently developed a new charter. We’re excited to announce that we’re partnering with Volunteer Waupaca to make an even stronger impact in our community through service initiatives.
If anyone has questions, wants to get involved, or has service project needs, please encourage them to reach out to me directly. Thanks so much for your support in helping us spread the word and strengthen our community efforts.
Collaborative Math Thinking Education Grant
By Wesley Klages
Jill Bielfuss, a math teacher at Waupaca High School who used one of our Teacher Grants to purchase new Wipebooks to hang up in my room, a whiteboard surface table to use during small group work, and a generous supply of markers for students to use in this collaborative learning environment
"The students are more actively wanting to write down the work and are having impressive conversations helping each other through the problems. I had a student tell me “I have been waiting for this moment“ when I finally let him work and write at the back table."