Club Information
Cedar Rapids Sunrise

We meet In Person
Thursdays at 7:30 a.m.
1100 3rd St. SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
United States of America
We meet at 7:30AM most Thursdays. See "Highlights" on our webpage for each Thursday program. Join us at the the ROTARY HALL -NewBo City Market 1100 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids. Coffee is provided.
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Sunrise Highlights Nov 4, 2026
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Weekly Rotary Events and Programs:
  • 7:30 AM Thursday programs upcoming with a few activities and location exceptions shown below: 
 
> Nov 5 - 7:30 am NewBo Market... Dennis Sullivan will share his family's Polio story. Some Rotary Polio Walkers met and talked with Dennis on Oct 24.
 
> Nov 12 - 7:30am Board meeting at The Mercury restaurant. 
 
> Nov 19- 7:30am NewBo Market.  Midwest Garden Gal - Lisa Hinzman Howard.  midwestgardengal.com  Established in 2016.
 
> Nov 25 - THANKSGIVING DAY... Enjoy!
 
Dec 1 - GIVING TUESDAY - Rotary Foundation Global Day of Generosity! 
SEE DETAILS FURTHER BELOW
 

 
> Dec 3 - No Morning meeting.  Sunrise Rotary Holiday Party at Black Sheep Social Club, 6PM
 
> Dec 5 - Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Hobby Lobby.  Tell Lynette when you can help between 9am and 1pm 
 
> Dec 10 - 7:30am Several Program invitations are out.. Waiting on replies. 
 
> Dec 17 - 7:30am We will meet AT and TOUR the CSPS Hall, learning its history and events planned.
 
> Dec 24 - Christmas Eve, no morning meeting.
 
> Dec 31 - New Years Eve, no morning meeting.
 
> Jan 7 2027 - At the African American Museum - Hopefully a 7:30 AM visit and tour of their facility!  Details to follow.
 
> Jan 14 and beyond... What do you want to hear about? 
 
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Rotary Foundation Giving Tuesday!  A Global Day of Generosity! 
 
This global day of generosity is an opportunity for all members to make a big impact with a gift of any size. A donation to Annual Fund-SHARE supports projects you’re passionate about, both in your community and around the world. A gift to our PolioPlus Fund helps transport vaccines and immunize children to keep them safe.

Here’s how you can help prepare the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids Sunrise for Giving Tuesday: 
Set a giving goal for your club this year. Just be sure the gifts are made on 1 December!
 
 
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PAST Favorite programs and Projects to Support: 
 
 
> October 24 - Saturday ... Linn County Rotarians Marched from NewBo Market (Rotary Hall) to Czech Village, promoting Rotary and our fight to exterminate Polio from the world. 
 
> Oct 8 -  @Newbo City Market: Big Brothers Big Sisters..Stephanie Hartson (Exec Director).  https://bigcr.org BBBS is growing and taking new collaborations for the "Littles" they help develop "for life"!   Check out their website and consider supporting this great organization! 
 
> September -
....We really enjoyed meeting again with our Global Scholar, Ashton Knatz - now back in Marion Iowa following her studies toward an MS in Environment Science at Edinburgh University.  She was considering a position at a N Carolina university. 
... And Jeff Halvorson, Rotary District Governor, visited and discussed our Club and our position in the community and world.  
 
> Sep 4 - Rob Davis, City Flood Control System Manager explained the new 8th Ave Bridge, impact, schedule and detours. 
 
 
> Aug 6 - Sonja Hadenfelt | The RARE Group - Volunteer Raptor Care  Education - Service Hotline: 319.248.9770 - www.theraregroup.org
Volunteers helping raptors.  Rescue, rehab, education. 

> June 11 - Peter Teahen and John Ockenfels - Stories of the Flights to End Polio   https://www.flighttoendpolio.com/#   2 record setting fundraising flights on one website. 
 
> June 4 - FIELDTRIP!!  - We met Shaun Reilly, Retired Morgan Park Ranger for an Arboretum Tour of all the beautiful trees and paths. A great morning!  https://www.mycountyparks.com/county/linn/park/morgan-creek-park   
 
 
 
> April 10, 11 - We purchased and planted 100 new trees at Indian Creek Nature Center.  Sunrise Rotary's $5,000 grant made this happen.  

> In October 2026 our Foundation Chair Bob Schell helped plant 10 final trees! The project is finished! 
   See Indian Creek District Grant Story on the website below.
 
 
Ashton Knatz - Our International Rotary Scholar:  
Ashton was studying at Edinburgh University 2025 - Aug 2026. She finished her year of Environmental Science for a Masters Degree. Ashton's host club was Edinburgh Rotary! 
Here is her March 2026 Report   April 2026 Report   May 2026 Report + Great Pictures    June 2026 Report   July 2026 Report
 
In October 2026 Ashton began her next adventure:  
My position with the college is their "Environmental Interpreter and Storytelling Specialist." I'll be handling the Center for the Environment's communications, marketing, social media, and written articles. I'm so excited to be working for a great institution that is dedicated to sustainability. Catawba is one of the nation's leading universities in sustainability initiatives - Here is a link to their website if you would like to learn more about them: Center for the Environment | Catawba College
 
Program/Speaker suggestions are always welcome.  Contact Bruce Lindholm, Theresa Mickelson, or email CRSunriseRotary@gmail.com 
 
We meeting weekly at 7:30AM most Thursdays All are welcome!

Rotary Polio Update from John Wasta 
District Foundation Committee. 
Please Donate to the Rotary Foundation and consider the Polio Campaign! 
 
Rotarians - Consider PolioPlus Donations in 2026: 
   As the PolioPlus Society Coordinator I want to thank you for fulfilling your donations for this Rotary year.
 
   As you know the news is mixed on the Polio campaign.
   The new vaccine is fully rolled out and vaccine derived cases are a thing of the past. 
 
   There are still two countries with wild polio cases (Afghanistan and Pakistan). Both countries' governments are supporting efforts to get their children vaccinated (Yes!!).
 
   There were 39 confirmed cases of wild polio in 2025.  There have been just four cases confirmed so far this year.
 
   Yours in Service,
 
   John Wasta
   Rotary District 5970 Foundation Committee
 
 
 
 
Read more...

Sunrise Rotary Grant for Indian Creek Nature Center
 
 
Sunrise Rotary annually applies (and usually receives!) a Rotary District Grant.   Half of the funds are from our fundraising, half are a Grant from our Rotary District 5970 Foundation funds.
 
This year our $5,000 Grant Project is improving the forest at the Cedar Rapids Indian Creek Nature Center. 
 
The project removed undesirable forest undergrowth in October 2025 around the "Barn" and Sugar House, the Nature Center's original facilities.  Undergrowth was removed with the help of AmeriCorps and our Rotary Members.  
 
100 new undergrowth trees, protective cages, and watering devices were purchased. Rotary Members transported trees from Ames and Monee, Illinois. Redbud, Wild Plum and Prairie Crabapple trees were planted with cages and watering devices in April 2026 by Sunrise Rotarians, friends, Waltonians and their sponsored Cub Scouts with parents. 
 
The final trees were purchased and adopted from Trees Forever and Releaf Cedar Rapids, delivered and planted in May and October 2026. 
 
    
   
  
 
Rotary Visit to New Boys and Girls Club!
In August our club members visited the newly opened Cedar Rapids Boys and Girls club on Washington Ave in Wellington Heights. 

This facility hosts Middle and High School kids for sports, learning and meals. Spaces are dedicated to study, gaming, cooking, music and social gatherings. 
        
 
Boys and Girls Club of the Corridor includes facilities in Iowa City and Marion Iowa. 
 
 
Shakespeare Garden
Highlights Below of the Shakespeare Garden Projects aided by ALL Cedar Rapids Rotary Clubs! 
 
June 9 2025 the Shakespeare Garden was the site of an 'open house' showing progress and selling flowers.  The area has really transformed!  2 Gazebos are complete. 
 
8 Rotary Clubs in the Cedar Rapids area have supported these improvements. Barnes Manufacturing in Marion supplied the steel structures. 
 
Visit the garden in Ellis Park facing Ellis Boulevard. The Northwest Neighborhood Association leads the improvements. 
 
    
  
 
April 20 2024, Sunrise and West Rotary Clubs joined the Shakespeare Garden volunteers for a clean up effort. 
 
The Shakespeare Garden is our 2024-2025 Linn County Rotary Community Project, funding major improvements and supported by ALL Eight Linn County Iowa Rotary Clubs! 
 
  
 
The metal gateway feature was fabricated by Marion/East Cedar Rapids Club, Rotarian Tom Barnes (Barnes Mfg, Marion, IA), and installed at the Ellis Boulevard entrance in June 2024! 
 
  
 
Other updated features are shown below. 
 
Fundraising continues for this beautiful riverside garden!    https://friendsofshakespearegarden.org/
 
 
 
 
April 2026 Spring Cleanup Crew of Rotarians and Friends!
 
June 2026 - A NEW STAGE in the Shakespeare Garden!
 
The Cedar Rapids Municipal band inaugurated it on June 14 2026 for their "Ellis Park" Concert.
 
 

 
 

Alliant Energy - Duane Arnold Solar News
Kimberley Dickey, the Duane Arnold Solar project developer manager, presented their Duane Arnold I and II projects to our club earlier this year.
 
From our warm reception for her, we were invited to visit the Duane Arnold Solar II project site under construction, in July.  That project update is here.  
 
A recent public meeting introduced the Duane Arnold IV project, as reported here. It may be sized about the same at Duane Arnold I and II together.
https://corridorbusiness.com/nextera-energy-outlines-plans-for-duane-arnold-solar-iv-project-in-linn-county/   Solar is becoming an alternative to wind turbines for clean energy. 
 
Cedar Rapids Gazette Photo

Sunrise Rotary "Transform Week" Project at Matthew 25
Every year in the last week of June, Matthew 25 organizes volunteer teams from business, non-profits and clubs to work on home improvement projects.   The homeowners are challenged with funding and physical abilities, and are grateful for project teams who can fix, paint, replace and 'clean up' older homes! Up to 150 volunteer team members from many organizations made a big difference every day that week. 
 
This year Sunrise Rotary members joined the Lin-Mar High School Robotics Team on a project, to clean up the landscaping of weeks, brush, dig out old steel fencing, remove/haul away some trash and planting grass and flowers.  Photos of the boys (and our new President Bob Schell) highlight the "after" pictures.  Lunch was served to the 150 volunteers at Matthew 25.  

We forgot to get 'before' pictures of the yard! 
 
 
 
 
  

 
   

      
 
 
 

     

 

  
 
 

Rotary Year Wrap Up! 
The Rotary Year summary on June 25, 2024
 
President Lynette Markofski reviewed our many accomplishments of the 12 months ending.   
 
Incoming President Bob Schell received the president's gavel and our charter certificate. 
 
Club Secretary Ben Stutt was honored with Darrel Berry Rotarian of the Year award.  Ben handled the Secretary duties AND led the Annual Sunrise Rotary Golf Fundraiser!  Both were great accomplishments. 
 
Our new Rotary Year begins July 1.  Congratulations to all Rotary Members and Rotary Families! 
 
 
 
 
Families Helping Families Golf Event! 
Sunrise Rotary and Families Helping Families joined forces and hosted a great Golf Event on May 23
 
22 teams competed for fun-prizes on a beautiful spring day! 
 
A report will be coming from the golf committee and FHF in the week ahead. 
Flight to End Polio Report
    

ONE ENGINE, TWO PILOTS
AND A 2:1 DONATION MATCH

 
After nearly 90 days they are HOME!!!!

Cedar Rapids Gazette front page article April 9:  Read or Print PDF

https://www.flighttoendpolio.com/#

Use this link to Donate!   Contribute to Rotary Foundation - Polio Fund! 
 
Read their story, see photos, share the Facebook page with friends. https://www.facebook.com/flighttoendpolio
 
Peter Teahen and John Ockenfels raised awareness for polio eradication by piloting a single engine aircraft all the way around the globe! 
​
Peter and John departed from Cedar Rapids, Iowa May 5, 2023 in a Cessna T210M (single engine) airplane. Along the way, they attended events and encourage support of ending polio forever throughout the world.
 
YOU can promote the completed flight, start conversations, and encourage Polio funds for Rotary with friends and strangers!  
 
Rotarians and friends in D6000 and D5970 are promoting awareness and this fundraising effort. Donations will go toward PolioPlus Fund. 
 
Peter and John arrived home July 30 and are reunited with their spouses!
 
The crowd moving out to greet the brave Rotarian pilots!
 
 
 
 
 

Rotary International Conference in Minneapolis! 

Great News from our District Governor:

I am excited to share that the 120th Rotary International Convention will be hosted just to our north in Minneapolis, MN May 26-30, 2029!

More than 15,000 Rotary members and participants from around the world will gather in the Twin Cities to connect, learn from each other and various experts, and share ideas for bringing positive, lasting change to communities across the globe. 
 
Along with our sister District 6000, I have expressed to the host committee that D5970 will assist where needed. In my visits this year I have spoken about how RI Conventions have influenced me personally and how they show the impact Rotary has around the globe.
 
I invite you to take advantage of this opportunity, when it’s so close, to experience what a difference Rotarians make worldwide!
 
The 3 Sunrise Rotary Community Grants Completed in 2022. 
Sunrise Rotary awarded these THREE grants.  They were funded 50% by our fundraising and 50% by the Rotary Foundation.
  • Catherine McAuley Center.   Equip their new childcare center, enabling parents to learn without distractions. 
  • Abbe Health/Aging Services.  Prepare at-home older adults to use tablets to connect to others. 
  • ChildServe Coralville.  Assist with purchasing Speech Therapy Apps to help non-verbal children. 
Sunrise Rotarian volunteers engaged on completing these projects AND volunteered with the organizations in their critical work. 
 
Why we are in Sunrise Rotary

When asked this morning, "why are you a member of the Sunrise Rotary?" here are some member responses:

  • "I like the impact we have locally AND internationally"
  • "Carrying out service above self."
  • "I like the local service projects and the community relationship that comes from serving."
  • "It's an opportunity to grow in leadership and make a difference in the lives I care about."
  • "Interpersonal development, networking, and making a difference."
  • "Learning about local organizations and the services they provide this community."
We invite you to be part of the exciting service projects, amazing network, and morning breakfast meetings. If you are interested in learning more, please message us! Visit our Sunrise Rotary Facebook Page to learn more!  Contact us at CRSunriseRotary@gmail.com. 

 

Rotary Links
Join Great People at Rotary! 
Are you looking for a way to engage in the Cedar Rapids area community?   Serve alongside some great Rotarians!   
 
Check us out.  Visit our weekly meetings, any Thursday morning at 7:00 AM.   Just walk in - Coffee is on us.  NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
 
Contact us directly.   Click to Email CRSunriseRotary@gmail.com
 
Not sure yet which club to consider? Start your inquiry at our Rotary Leads portal and we will talk and point you to one or more clubs.  
Site Pages
Club Executives & Directors
President
Mary Schell
President Elect
Theresa Mickelson
Secretary
Bob Schell
Treasurer
Karen Nemecek
Foundation Chair
Bob Schell
Membership
Theresa Mickelson
Programs Chair
Theresa Mickelson
Club Social Activities
Lynette Markofski
Club Grants Management
Bruce Lindholm
Immediate Past President
Bob Schell
Service Projects
Lynette Markofski
Club Public Image
Theresa Mickelson
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