Rotary Club of Jamestown strengthens community through service projects

The Rotary Club of Jamestown, founded in 1921, meets weekly and supports local projects such as Camp Rokiwan, the Community Bike Fleet and the Rotary Soccer Field while raising funds through events and member donations.

The Rotary Club of Jamestown has worked for more than a century to support local projects, volunteer efforts and partnerships. Founded in 1921, the club is part of a global Rotary network and has about 40 members who meet weekly to hear guest speakers and coordinate service work. Members raise funds through events and weekly "happy dollars" to support projects across the city. The club also collaborates with the Kiwanis Club to run Camp Rokiwan, a one-week summer camp serving underprivileged children in the area. Key details: - About 40 members meet weekly and pay dues, with membership options that include standard, corporate and sponsor levels. - Local projects supported by the club include the Rotary Soccer Field at Jamestown High School, the Community Bike Fleet at Two Rivers Activity Center, gazebo improvements at the Stutsman County Memorial Museum, and ongoing work on the Dave Smette Memorial Plaza at Nickeus Park. - The Community Bike Fleet benefited from a Rotary Foundation matching grant to expand access to bicycles, including adaptive models. - The club and the Kiwanis Club operate Camp Rokiwan each summer; the camp returned in 2024 after a pandemic hiatus and has run for three consecutive years since restarting, with scholarships available for children in need. - Fundraising efforts include the annual Wine and Brewhaha tasting event, which draws roughly 200 attendees, and weekly "happy dollars"; the club has also donated to Rotary districts affected by flooding in Texas. - Service activities include preparing meals for Daily Bread -- Jamestown, participating in the Stuff the Bus program, delivering books and reading to first graders, and running the Gear Up for Winter drive that served 143 families. Summary: The Rotary Club of Jamestown supports a range of community facilities, seasonal programs and direct aid to families while connecting local efforts to a broader Rotary network. Its fundraising and volunteer activities sustain ongoing projects and annual events, and members meet regularly to plan and learn about local needs. The club continues to maintain projects, run Camp Rokiwan each summer, and host its annual fundraiser as part of its regular community work.