Fundraising and Community Involvement Ideas: The Rotary Club of Lafayette, TN

The Rotary Club of Lafayette not only values education, but also the health and well being of people in their community. Each September, with the help of the Wellness Board and volunteers from two local Interact clubs, the Rotary Club of Lafayette puts on Makin’ Macon Fit to help fund local projects and give back to the community. Participants can sign up for the 5K Run, 3 mile walk, 30 mile bike tour or a 10 mile bike ride. Children can enjoy a bicycle obstacle course, “fun run,” free face painting or jump around in the bouncy play. There are events for the challenged and a Zumba class for all. Local school children are encouraged to participate and bring along their family and friends. Fitness is an important part of a child’s physical and mental development. By encouraging the importance of fitness at a young age, the hope is to instill lifelong healthy habits into adulthood. The Rotary Club sets up tables and booths for the local hospital, Coordinated School Health and other community organizations to educate participants on healthy lifestyles and well being. Additionally, the Rotary Club holds drawings during the event. Schools and teachers can win money for their PE department for the most children participating. Sponsors also give away 10-12 bicycles each year by a drawing for children who enter in the event. Rotarian Cindy Gammons comment on the community fundraiser, “It is a wonderful event. We have between 375 and 420 participa[nts]” each year. The goal of the program is to encourage fitness, but proceeds also go to service activities like The Dictionary Project. Since starting the project in 2005, the Rotary Club of Lafayette has donated over 3,000 dictionaries to local students. We appreciate their commitment to education and the lives of people in their community.