The Rotary Club of Sammamish is transitioning into a new year, and with new leadership. Cary Young has been named the new Rotary president and will be replacing Bill Bastine, who, Young said, led the club to a very successful year.
From 2013-2014, Rotary members and volunteers served more than 15,000 hours and funded over $50,000 in humanitarian projects. Money raised by the Rotary Club went to organizations such as Athletes for Kids, Congregations for the Homeless, Eastside Food and Clothing Bank, Friends of Youth, Issaquah School District, Lifewire, Life Enrichment Options, Medical Teams International, Rotary First Harvest, SAMMI, Sammamish YMCA, Sofia way and more.
“There’s a very purposeful process the community service committee goes through to decide who will receive a grant from us,” Young said.
The Rotary also recognized students of the month, handed out college scholarships to students at the local high schools, student volunteers and Hugh O’Brien Youth Camp, and funded an international service project for the fourth year, aiding and establishing a sustainable, self-governing rural village in Nicaragua through the Agros International.
“We find people, we find funding, and we use that leverage to make a difference,” said Kurt Hamke, Public Relations Committee Chair. “We’re behind the scenes making those things happen.”
Upcoming Events
Rotary Challenge Series Race
On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Rotary Club of Sammamish will be hosted its annual Challenge Series Race, providing approximately 24 physically and/or mentally challenged children with a chance to race soapbox-derby-style cars down Southeast 224th Street.
“This event really is about the kids,” Young said.
Every special needs child is paired with an able-bodied child, giving them the opportunity to learn, connect and work together. Community sponsors help finance the event and the extra funds are donated to Life Enrichment Options, a local nonprofit that assists people with development disabilities. The mayor, high school cheerleaders, and other community representatives will be in attendance.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Discovery Elementary School and ends with a picnic and trophy presentation.
Nightmare at Beaver Lake
One of the Rotary’s biggest and most well-known events is Nightmare at Beaver Lake, an outdoor Halloween haunted house experience. Last year, more than 13,000 people attended the event and the most since the event began 11 years ago. Hamke said that the Rotary begins work on next year’s Nightmare only two days after the event is over. All summer the Rotary hosts a booth at Summer Concerts in the Park, offering barbecue food and face-painting to promote their October event.
“Eleven years ago, when we started this event, we really wanted it to be a positive addition to what was at the time a new city,” Hamke said.
Currently, the 2014 Nightmare at Beaver Lake is deep into the construction phase, Young said. One thing the Rotary is particularly excited about is “Goliath the Gargoyle,” a huge animatronic prop that was used every year before “dying” from exposure five years ago.
“He’s been resurrected,” Young said. Apparently, a prominent Hollywood special effects director brought the gargoyle “back to life” for free. Young said they are very excited to bring him back this year.
“When you talk to people at the event, they come from all over the place,” she said. “This is one of the things they do every year.”
The 2014 Nightmare at Beaver Lake will open Oct. 17 and run through Halloween. To get involved or volunteer for the event, email volunteer@sammamishrotary.org. For more information about the event, contact Rotary president Cary Young at 206-310-1597.
Kelly Montgomery: 425-391-0363; kmontgomery@issaquahreporter.com
