The Rotary Club of Wichita has a number of service projects that have a profound impact on our community, our district and around the world.  Following are samples of just a few of our continuing projects:

Salvation Army:  Our club has an annual collection day and we serve as bell ringers during the holiday season.  In 2009, our collection day netted $21,966.

Reading Is Fundamental:  Our flagship literacy program, we provide 3 books per year to students in 18 USD 259 Title 1 schools, Child Start and 3 early childhood development schools.  During the 2009-2010 school year, we provided approximately 30,000 books to almost 10,000 students.  On three different days during the year, our Rotarian volunteers visit, read and give books to each child in those schools.  RIF is a federally funded (75%+) program.  Our total budget is $75,290 of which $16,400 is funded by our club.  Our RIF program is one of the largest in the United States.

Career Day:  Our annual Career Day provides vocational education to high school students.  In 2009-2010, 19 Rotarians hosted 48 high school students in a vocational training exercise.  Students and Rotarians are matched based on the student's vocational interest.  They are hosted in the morning at the Rotarian's place of business and then the Rotarian brings the student to our meeting to hear a speaker that is selected for that day.

Habitat for Humanity:  We build and fund a Habitat House every other year on a two-year funding cycle.  The current amount for a Habitat for Humanity home is $60,000. Our third Habitat House completely funded by our club was dedicated on October 30, 2009.

Red Cross Blood Drive:  Our members give blood to the American Red Cross and are recognized in our weekly newsletter, the Round and Round.  In addition, our Blood Drive Committee has initiated a "Rotary Rescue Squad", whereby members can volunteer to host a blood drive at their business, respond to critical shortages, or donate blood or platelets on a regular basis.

Treats for Troops:  In partnership with other local organizations, this projects sends gift packages during the holiday season to Kansas troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In 2008, well over 1,000 gift packages were sent.

Children's Initiative Shoe Project:  This is a unique project at Hamilton Middle School.  Through the assistance of teachers, 30 students are honored at the end of the school year with $75 gift certificates to Famous Footwear for improving their reading skills during the school year. 

Scholastic Children's Dictionaries:  During the 2008-2009 school year, we provided a dictionary to every 3rd grade student in Wichita USD 259.  At a total cost of approximately $40,000, almost 4,000 books were provided to 59 elementary schools.  For more information on the dictionary project, please Click Here: 

2011 Centennial:  Our club's 100th anniversary will be in 2011.  A committee has been formed and project selection is underway to provide a permanent and meaningful project that will impact the entire city of Wichita with emphasis on the downtown area in an effort to show our appreciation for the support given us over almost 100 years.  Stay tuned as the project will be unveiled soon!

Interact Club:  Our club continues to support the Interact Club of Wichita East High School.  These are highly motivated young people with a sincere desire to serve.  The club is involved in numerous fund-raising projects and community service activities.  A concerted effort is underway to directly involve the Interact students with many of our club's community service projects, including the distribution of Scholastic Children's Dictionaries to all 3rd grade students in USD 259.

Haiti:  Our club has a continuing humanitarian relief relationship with the peoples of Lambert, Haiti.  Our latest projects have involved providing a reliable water supply at the Evangelique Baptiste School by funding and assisting in the installation of a solar pump, solar panel assembly, solar controller and a pump house.  The result was the capability of up to 2,900 gallons per day for drinking water and watering trees and the garden at the school.  In addtion, we have recently concentrated on assisting teachers and students at the school to use the laptop computers we provided.  Our relationship with the school and Lambert is special to our club.  Future projects identified include a Computer Technology Center, refurbishing the Lambert Medical Clinic, improved housing, dry latrines and child sponsorship.