On October 30, Kelso Rotary joined in the Halloween fun at the Downtown Kelso Trick or Treat, handing out candy to what seemed like an endless parade of ghosts, superheroes, princesses, dinosaurs, and plenty of other creative characters!
There were so many kids and so much candy, and we loved every minute of it. It was wonderful to see Downtown Kelso filled with families enjoying a safe, fun evening together and our community coming together to make it special.
A big thank you to everyone who helped make the event possible and to our Rotarians who came out to hand out candy and share in the fun.
What a great event and a great night to be part of the Kelso community!
Kelso Rotary recently welcomed Andrea Bruno and Darby Knox with the Humane Society for Southwest Washington for an informative program about the important work they are doing for animals throughout our community.
Andrea shared information about pet adoption, fostering, volunteer opportunities, and the many ways community partnerships help support animals and the people who care for them. Members also learned how individuals can get involved, whether by opening their home to a foster pet, volunteering their time, supporting Humane Society programs, or helping spread the word about animals looking for their forever homes.
It was a great reminder that strong communities are built through organizations and individuals working together to make a difference.
Thank you, Andrea, for spending time with Kelso Rotary and sharing the many ways we can help support animals in Southwest Washington!
What happens when you combine Rotary members, great ideas, a little friendly competition, and a room full of “sharks”? You get Rotary Shark Tank!
At a recent Kelso Rotary meeting, members put their creativity to the test with our own Rotary-inspired version of Shark Tank. Participants had the opportunity to dream big, develop their ideas, and make their best pitch to convince the “sharks” that their idea deserved to come out on top.
Of course, this was Rotary, so the real goal wasn’t just winning. It was about having fun, thinking creatively, and reminding ourselves what can happen when a group of people comes together to share ideas and imagine new possibilities.
There were plenty of laughs, some creative pitches, and maybe even a little friendly persuasion as members worked to win over the sharks!
Activities like Rotary Shark Tank are a fun way to bring another dimension to our weekly meetings. Along with hearing from community speakers, learning about local organizations, and working on service projects, sometimes it’s good to simply laugh, connect, and enjoy being Rotarians together.
After all, you never know where the next great Rotary idea might come from.
And in the Shark Tank, you’d better be ready to make your pitch! 🦈
Kelso Rotary recently welcomed Mary Beth Tack for an informative update on Kelso Schools and the great work taking place throughout the district. It was a wonderful opportunity for our members to hear about what is happening in our local schools and the continued efforts to support students and their success.
We also had the pleasure of recognizing our October Students of the Month from Kelso High School, RJ Cruz and Ashlynne Droke. These two outstanding students are already making a positive impact in their school and community, and we were proud to celebrate their accomplishments.
It was a great meeting that reminded us of the many reasons to be proud of our local students, educators, and schools.
Proud of our youth. Proud of our schools. Proud of Kelso.
At the October 15th Kelso Rotary meeting, we had the privilege of welcoming Jenny Carroll with HEVIN (Helping Every Veteran In Need) to share more about the organization’s important work in our community.
Jenny explained how HEVIN helps local veterans by connecting them with essential resources, assistance, and advocacy when they need it most. Her presentation was a meaningful reminder that supporting veterans goes beyond saying “thank you.” It also means helping ensure those who served our country have access to the resources and support they need.
Kelso Rotary is grateful for organizations like HEVIN that put Service Above Self into action every day. Thank you, Jenny, for spending time with our club, helping us better understand the needs of local veterans, and sharing the important work HEVIN is doing in our community.
It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of our dear friend and fellow Rotarian, Dr. Anne Mette Smeenk, over the weekend.
Anne Mette was a cherished member of Kelso Rotary for 21 years, and her commitment to Service Above Self touched nearly every part of our club. She was our current Rotary Foundation Chair, served on the Lights in the Park Committee, volunteered in the food wagon, worked on International Projects, was Vocational & Literacy Chair, was on the Uganda Malnutrition team, and many, many more. she also generously sponsored many of our events, and was a Paul Harris Fellow +8.
But those titles only begin to describe what Anne Mette meant to us. She gave generously of her time, her resources, and most importantly, herself. Whether she was supporting the Kelso Rotary Club, the Rotary Foundation, working with fellow Rotarians on one event or another, working alongside her husband Kevin at a Longview Early Edition Rotary event, or simply sharing her warmth and friendship, Anne Mette made our club and our community better.
Her dedication to others extended far beyond Rotary. As a pediatrician at Child & Adolescent Clinic in Longview, she cared for generations of children and families in our community.
We are heartbroken by this tremendous loss. Our thoughts are with Anne Mette’s family, friends, colleagues, patients, and all those whose lives she touched.
Thank you, Anne Mette, for 21 years of friendship, generosity, and Service Above Self. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.💙💛
