Food, hope and joy

Brian Ingram, CEO and chef of "Purpose Restaurants," spoke at our Eagan Rotary weekly lunch meeting on Wednesday. He founded many successful restaurants nationally and has used their successes to give back largely to his communities in the form of 300,000 free meals, 2 million pounds of food and $225,000 in relief to local families in need. He's a generous, big-hearted man.

Christmasing

Eagan Rotary Club members gathered at Eagan Rotarian Sue's house for the annual Christmas party. People enjoyed food, beverages, conversations and singing Christmas carols together. Photo by Eagan Rotary Club president Tami

Students of the month

Today at the Eagan Rotary lunch meeting, we recognized exceptional Eagan High School students for September, October and November based on their academics and volunteerism. Bravo!

Recognizing and thanking....

The Eagan Rotary Club and the Eagan Kick-start Rotary Club hosted our much loved, annual Veterans Recognition Day lunch meeting on Wednesday. Three men were honored and thanked for their military service: left to right - Neil Constine, US Marine Corps 1995 - 2020; Ben Coons, US Navy 1963 - 1969; and Russell Adamson, US Marine Corps 1967 - 1969. They told their stories and we thanked them!

Community grant recipient representatives

At Wednesday's Eagan Rotary lunch meeting, 15 local charities received $10,000 in grant checks raised through last year's "Live to Give Walk" fundraiser. Each charity recipient talked briefly about what their organization does and how they will use the grant money.

Our Rotary district governor

Eagan Rotary Club president, Tami Phillippi, posed with Rotary District 5950 Governor Lloyd Campbell at Wednesday's lunch meeting. 

Power handover

 

On Wednesday evening, the Eagan Rotary Club held its 35th annual charter banquet at the Lost Spur Golf Club. Outgoing club president, Erica Hollom, presented the framed charter certificate to incoming club president, Tami Phillippi.  Good luck with the start of the new Rotary year on July 1, Tami!

Grant check

On Wednesday, Jennifer Harrison from the Dakota Woodlands homeless shelter accepted a $5,000 grant check from the Eagan Rotary Club's "Live to Give Walk" fundraiser. Charity representatives from DARTS and "The Drawer" also each received a $5,000 grant check!

Rotarians, police chief and a superhero

On a beautiful, sunny, Saturday morning, the Eagan Rotary Club held their fun and successful, 2nd annual "Live to Give walk" fundraiser at the Eagan Rotary bandshell next to the Eagan Community Center. Net proceeds will support mostly 4 main local charities:

1. Dakota Woodlands - the only homeless shelter in Dakota County.

2. DARTS - transportation for seniors.

3. The Drawer - socks and underwear for homeless people.

4. Eagan Rotary Foundation

Club President Erica Hollom, dressed as a superhero, sang the national anthem. Police Chief and Rotarian Roger New judged the costumes and started the walkers. The St Thomas Academy high school drill team performed before community walkers, Rotarians, Interacters and dogs walked the one mile track. A Mexican food truck and Mimosas were available afterwards to participants. 

Reading project

 

    

Eagan Rotarians read the "See the Dog" book to first graders in several Eagan elementary schools. I read to a class on Thursday morning. Each student received his / her own book following the reading. Books were donated by the Eagan Rotary Club through their annual book reading project. 

With a superhero

 

President Erica of the Eagan Rotary Club and I posed before our Rotary lunch meeting today.  She was encouraging others to get their costumes ready for our upcoming "Live to Give walk" fundraiser on May 7. 

Eagan High School superstars

Extraordinary students were recognized at the Eagan Rotary Club's noon lunch meeting last Wednesday. Each student achieved a long list of exemplary academics, volunteerism, leadership, etc. Congratulations! 

Rotarian Mimi Palen-Clare introduced the December, January and February "students of the month" 

Flowers for St. Patrick's Day

Eagan Rotarians posed to this photo at our noon lunch meeting today. Green flowers for tomorrow's holiday! 

(Left to right: Club president Erica, Jen, John and Andy) 

Honoring Veterans

 On Wednesday, the Eagan Rotary Club and the Eagan Kickstart Rotary Club honored three Veterans. 

Annie Young served in the Air Force, Don Coffin (seated) and Mike Ferber both served in the Navy. 

They posed by the American Flag painting by Annie. 

Thank a Veteran for their service to our country. 

#HappyVeteransDay

Gus and the boys

 

The band, "Gus sent me," played at the Eagan Rotary fun walk fundraiser. It was a beautiful Saturday in May! 

#solongagoSaturday

Eagan Rotary Club

 

Eagan Rotarians posed for a photo after a recent club lunch meeting when District Governor Marianna and past District Governor Tom came for a visit at the Lost Spur Golf Club.  

Photo: Rotarian Tami Phillippi 

Thanks to our safety officers

 

Wednesday marked the 25th annual safety officer recognition event by the Eagan Rotary Club.

Fire Captain Dan (left) and Police Detective Dan were honored. 

Changing of the guard

 At last night's 34th annual Charter Banquet for the Eagan Rotary Club, the framed charter certificate was given from me as the outgoing club president to Erica Hollom the incoming president. It was a fun, wonderful celebration of our club accomplishments in the 2020 - 2021 Rotary year. 

Decorating orchids

 

These fresh orchids will decorate the tables at tonight's Eagan Rotary Club's Charter Banquet. We'll celebrate in style with dinner and a yearend program at the Lost Spur Golf Club. 

$75,000

 

On Wednesday, the Eagan Rotary Club presented a check for almost $75,000 in net proceeds from their 1st annual "Live to Give Walk" fundraiser. Recipient representatives from The Open Door Foodshelf, Eagan YMCA, 360 Communities and the Eagan Rotary Community Foundation posed together.