Welcome to another issue of our Club newsletter. Find out who our upcoming speakers are, what we covered during the last weekly meeting, and learn more about our exciting upcoming events.
Our next club meeting is on October 15
In our Thursday, October 15 meeting Lt. Col. Leo Lawrenson will provide a brief history of ShelterBox, an organization dedicated to providing shelter after natural and man-made disasters, its current worldwide deployments and what you might do to help.
With the support of Rotary members and clubs around the world, ShelterBox has grown to become an internationally recognized, independent disaster relief organization. Since 2012, ShelterBox and Rotary have been official Project Partners in disaster relief.
Kent Ellsworth explains to attendees of the Oct. 1 Club Meeting, the vision he has for the way VVCC provides care for residents in the Verde Valley who can no longer drive due to age or physical limitations. While the organization does not provide in-home care in the way that we usually think of care givers, the organization works to support home-bound residents with transportation, shopping assistance and a host of other services such as friendly phone calls and social outings to give mental and emotional support. He spoke of a home safety program to reduce medical visits due to repetitive home accidents.
VVCC has been recognized as the Number 1 volunteer transportation company in the US.
The Rotary Club of Sedona Village is the only service club based in the Village of Oak Creek. Guided by Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” members work to improve lives locally and globally through volunteer service, charitable support and community partnerships. The club meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 8:00 a.m. at Community Library Sedona at the Big Park School. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome.
Tickets Available! Ten Area Restaurants and Wineries Join Rotary’s Second Annual Village Celebration
Tickets are now available for the Rotary Club of Sedona Village’s second annual Taste of Sedona Village, bringing together some of the area’s favorite restaurants, food purveyors and wineries for an afternoon of great food, beverages, music and community.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, Taste of Sedona Village returns Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Collective Courtyard & Grotto in the Village of Oak Creek.
This year’s participating restaurants, food businesses and wineries include:
Doc’s BBQ & Whiskey
Tortas de Fuego
Gerardo’s Pizzeria
Clark’s Market
Miley’s Cafe
Flew the Coop
Dellepiane
Carolina’s Chocolates
Willy’s Empanada House
Alcantara Vineyards
Guests will have the opportunity to sip and savor samples from participating businesses, enjoy multiple wine and beer tastings, and relax to live music by guitarist Eric Miller—all in the outdoor setting of The Collective.
“Taste of Sedona Village is exactly what its name suggests—a chance to experience some of the wonderful food, wine and hospitality that make our community special,” said Jennifer Bowles, project coordinator. “It’s a fun afternoon, but it also has a purpose. Every ticket helps Rotary continue its service to our community.” Proceeds from Taste of Sedona Village support the Rotary Club of Sedona Village’s service initiatives benefiting local youth, veterans and community projects, including the Village Rotary Community Garden, as well as international humanitarian programs.
Early-bird tickets for $35 each are available online at SedonaVillageRotary.org. Because attendance is limited, advance ticket purchases are encouraged.
Come sip, savor and celebrate this wonderful place we call home!
October 24 is World Polio Day. Donating to World Polio Day helps fund vaccines, surveillance, and logistics to finish eradicating polio worldwide.
Key Reasons to Donate
Massive Matching Impact: Every dollar you donate is multiplied by matching partners. For every $1 Rotary International commits to polio eradication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation contributes an additional $2.
Low Cost, High Protection: Protecting a child from polio for life costs as little as 60 cents.
Reaching the Final 0.1%: Wild poliovirus is now endemic in only two countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan), meaning funding is critical to finish the job so the disease never surges back.
Historic Progress: Global efforts led by Rotary International, the World Health Organization, and the CDC have prevented an estimated 20 million cases of paralysis.
Preventing a Rebound: Until the virus is completely wiped out everywhere, unvaccinated children in any country remain at risk of outbreaks.
If you are a member of our club and choose to click on the link below and make a donation then you will be asked for our club number. It is 89294.
Remember, thanks to the Gates Foundation, your $25 turns into $75, $100 into $300, etc. to help fight polio.
Learn the history and meaning of Rotary's two official mottoes - Service Above Self and One Profits Most Who Serves Best - and how they reflect Rotary's values and mission.
