Boone Sunrise Rotary is committed to thinking globally and locally.We start with local service projects. Members past and present have dedicated thousands of hours and dollars to create positive and lasting change in the High Country region.
Rotarians are active in the community — shopping at the Farmer’s Market, supporting local businesses and enjoying the High Country’s amazing natural resources. Thanks to amazing leaps in social connection technology, we can all seize opportunities to harness the inventive power of the world to design and implement solutions to local problems.
Here are some ways you can join us.
Annual Fruit Sale
“Great fruit for a great cause” is the motto of this popular annual Rotary fundraiser. Every year, the club partners with Florida Indian River Groves in providing fresh citrus to our patrons. Funds from this project directly support Rotary projects in our local community as well as some very worthy international projects. As the club’s primary annual fundraiser, the program generates over $8,000 in support for many of the local and international programs described below.
Back 2 School Festival
The Back 2 School Festival is an event designed to streamline school readiness efforts for a greater impact on Watauga County families. Each year, the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club provides volunteer and fundraising support for this multi-day event. A few members even host school supply drives at their businesses leading up to the event.
Semi-Annual River Clean-Up
Twice annually, members of the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club participate in the Town of Boone’s “River Clean-Up,” by taking responsibility for removing trash and debris along a stretch of the South Fork of the New River running through the Greenway.
Red Cross Blood Drive
Boone Sunrise Rotary sponsors two Community Blood Drives with the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross through recruiting donors and providing volunteers and snacks at the blood drive. The Community Blood Drives are held each April and December at the Holiday Inn Express in Boone.
Honor Air/Veterans Group
Launched in 2010, this effort began with a goal of bringing 27 World War II veterans from the High Country to Washington, D.C. for one of the last Honor Air flights. Veterans and a number of Boone Sunrise Rotary members who accompanied them to Washington were treated to a tour of the city’s memorials, as well as a special ceremony honoring their extraordinary service to our country. Inasmuch as the WW II veterans are now at an average age of 90 years, and most will be limited in their ability to travel long distances, this trip was extremely meaningful to the veterans who attended, as well as the club members who made this extraordinary journey with them. Based on the success of the program, the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club is continuing its efforts to support these veterans by providing them with an ongoing organization devoted to fellowship, service and support.
College Scholarship Programs
This Club project coordinates annual scholarship drives for Watauga High School Seniors to attend a college of their choice. The program also provides Caldwell Community College Dream Scholarships for Watauga County students to realize their dream of attending college.
CART: Alzheimer’s Research Fund
Through the C.A.R.T. Program (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust), Rotarians in five southern states make weekly donations, providing “seed money” for research to find a cure and preventive approaches for Alzheimer’s disease. Members of the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club proudly raise funds throughout the year for this important endeavor.
Habitat for Humanity
In partnership with the Watauga County Habitat for Humanity, Boone Sunrise Rotary Club members participate in building projects and fundraisers throughout the year. These efforts help to create homes in our community for families in need, providing them not only a physical home, but a sense of great pride and hope about their future. Members regularly contribute to the annual Big Kahuna fundraiser, raising over $16,000 as a club in 2021.
Support for Appalachian State University and WHS Service Clubs
Both the Rotoract Club of Appalachian State University and the Watauga High School Interact Club are service clubs that are an extension of Rotary, connecting high school and university students with a variety of club projects and building the “next generation” of community leaders committed to the goals and values of Rotary!
Hospitality House/WeCAN
Rotary Club members support Hospitality House — a private, non-profit crisis intervention agency that provides critical assistance and support for adults and families facing a crisis or homelessness. Funds are raised annually by Rotary club members to support the work of this remarkable and highly effective local agency.
Dictionary Project
A joint Area XI project for all Rotary Clubs in Watauga and Avery Counties. this initiative enables schools in schools across our region to acquire dictionaries, atlases, thesauruses, and Spanish/English dictionaries at no cost for students in these schools. The program also provides digital reference media to Watauga High School students.
Boone Sunrise Rotary 