We have a regular schedule of activities throughout each year, some focused on acts of service and others focused on fundraising which allows us to support our scholarship fund and other major giving. For details of the specific activities, please visit the pages linked from the brief descriptions below.
SPRING
Speech Contest
Each year, we host a speech contest for local high school contestants. We host and serve as the judges for the contest around March of each year. Winners of our local contest go on to compete against others at the District level, with prizes increasing in value at each round.
Public Safety Dinner
Interact hosts as local Public Safety Dinner to invite the community to participate in honoring the officers in our towns. All are welcome. This is typically the first Thursday in May.
Hobo Hills Mini Golf Invitational – 3rd Sunday in May
This is a fun famiy day out where 18 teams of up to 6 players each compete in a shotgun start miniature golf tournament with a variety of prizes based on skill and camaraderie. The event raises funds that help support many of the smaller programs we support in the community. Learn more
Lincoln-Woodstock Local Cleanup Day – weather permitting, last weekend in May
We’ve noticed that at the end of a long winter there can be a lot of errant trash lying around that gets uncovered as the snow melts and becomes unsightly. Rotarians pull together to clear it away and take the bags to the transfer station so we start the summer with our towns looking their best.
Kanc Cleanup – 1st Saturday in June
This is a larger cleanup initiative in the national forest area along the Kancamagus Highway, and in collaboration with Rotarians and volunteers from throughout the greater White Mountains area. There is a corresponding cleanup later in the summer in the Mt Washington Valley as well. For more information, visit RotaryCleans.org.
RYLA – Rotary Youth Leadership Academy
RYLA is a leadership program coordinated by Rotary Clubs around the globe. Each year, thousands of high school sophomores are chosen to participate in this highly selective program. Typically clubs can send up to 3-5 students per year to participate in RYLA and it can be a life-changing experience for those participants.
SUMMER
Fourth of July BBQ to benefit Linwood Seniors
As part of the Town of Woodstock 4th of July festivities, Rotary holds an annual BBQ lunch with hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, drinks, and baked goods, starting at 11 am at Soldier’s Park in North Woodstock. Get there early, because supplies are limited and they sell out fast! Proceeds benefit the Linwood Senior Advisory Council and support purchase of higher cost items needed by the Senior Center which may not be covered in their regular budget.
Dinner for the Playhouse Cast and Crew
One evening during the summer season, usually mid-July, we prepare and serve a dinner for the cast and crew of Jean’s Playhouse just before they go on to perform for the evening. And we get the opportunity for some intimate backstage conversation with them in the process…
National Night Out
Many members of our Rotary club also serve in local law enforcement. We are proud to support National Night Out and to volunteer in making it successful. How we participate varies from year to year, depending on the need.
AUTUMN
Chamber of Commerce Rubber Duck Regatta
Rotary are the official “Duck Wranglers” for the annual Chamber rubber ducky race fundraiser. We have an experienced contingent who expertly fish the duckies out of the Pemi at the end of the race, and “wranglers in training” are always welcome to join in.
Annual Truck Raffle
Our largest annual activity is the Truck Raffle (historically a Corvette raffle), a reverse drawing in which the last ticket selected wins a brand new Ford F-150, or cash prize alternative. Only 500 tickets are sold. This event supports nearly all of our annual giving, including our scholarship fund and the major gifts to nonprofit organizations in the community.
Lincoln-Woodstock Local Cleanup Day – weather permitting, end of September
At the end of the summer, when tourism begins to wind down, we gather again to walk through the town and collect any remnants of the bustling summer period that are out of place, so that our towns can prepare for winter clean and ready.
North Country Public Safety Foundation Awards Dinner
Held at Omni Mt Washington Resort, this elegant affair honors our public safety officials for their dedicated service. Our club supports the event and hosts a table each year, with preference for seating given to public safety officers and their guests.
WINTER
Thanksgiving Meal Deliveries
It came to the attention of Rotarians some time ago that there were a few people in town, mainly elderly &/or disabled, who were left alone on Thanksgiving, not visiting family nor having visitors, and also not already receiving a meal from another source. So we decided to deliver Thanksgiving dinner to these folks to make sure they were not forgotten.
Senior Christmas Party
We host a dinner (typically at the Woodstock Inn) for Seniors – in conjunction with the Lincoln Woodstock Senior Advisory Council
Christmas Meal Deliveries
This net extends a bit wider than the Thanksgiving deliveries, and includes also food boxes to help families prepare their holiday meals.
“Adopt a Family” Program and Holiday Gift Deliveries
In the last weeks leading up to Christmas, there is a flurry of activity as gifts come pouring in to Rotary from throughout the community. We are grateful to have such an outpouring of support for this program which makes it easy for us to reach out to care for those in need during the holidays. Some families are “adopted” – which means a single donor provides all they have asked for, while others are covered through collected gifts. And there are always extras which we use to help children and families in neighboring towns as well.