The Seward Rotary Club was presented the “Best Award for Youth Services Project” for a medium sized club by the Rotary District 5650 (Eastern Nebraska/Southwest Iowa) for the Club’s annual and successful “Stuff the Cruiser” project in the partnership with the Seward Police Department. The Club previously won this award in 2009.
The award, was presented at the July 27-28 District Conference in Lincoln to Seward Rotary Club 2017-2018 President Russ Sommerfeld by District 5650 outgoing Governor Dr. Tom Cardwell of Lincoln. The award was shared with the club membership at the following August 1, weekly luncheon meeting.
The Seward Rotary Club was presented the “Best Award for Youth Services Project” for a medium sized club by the Rotary District 5650 (Eastern Nebraska/Southwest Iowa) for the Club’s annual and successful “Stuff the Cruiser” project in the partnership with the Seward Police Department. The Club previously won this award in 2009.
The award, was presented at the July 27-28 District Conference in Lincoln to Seward Rotary Club 2017-2018 President Russ Sommerfeld by District 5650 outgoing Governor Dr. Tom Cardwell of Lincoln. The award was shared with the club membership at the following August 1, weekly luncheon meeting. Also attending the conference was Concordia University student Vincent Beasley of Concordia’s new Rotaract Club. Vincent addressed the conference about Concordia’s Club for young adults ages 18-30 that is one of 10,904 Rotaract clubs in 184 countries.
“Stuff the Cruiser” is a children’s toy campaign during the holidays. The goal is to insure that low income children in the Greater Seward area have presents for Christmas. The Seward Police Department originally organized and initiated the Seward “Stuff the Cruiser” toy event. The project annually serves over 100 low income children/families-in an effort to guarantee that these low income children will have toys for the holidays.
The toys are all donated locally in a collection process at various retail outlets that sell toys in the Seward area. Participating with Rotarians in the process of collection were representatives from the local Seward Police Department as well as members from the Concordia University Soft Ball Team! The selection process and toy distribution process for the children was updated and improved over the last two years to facilitate parents in selecting a bag of toys through an actual shopping process.
Local co-chairman of the Seward Rotary/Seward Police Department 2017 Christmas Campaign were Rotarians Melanie Ayres and Police Chief Alan Baldwin. Jon and Bonnie Kruse coordinated appointments for families to come and pick up gifts. Shelly Nitz, Sheila Beins and Sue Tonniges also offered strong leadership. Clark Kolterman hosted “Breakfast with Santa” prior to the family gift distribution. Numerous members of the Rotary Club, and Seward Police Department stepped up as key volunteers for this massive toy drive and distribution.
“With almost 80 percent of the membership of the Rotary Club participating in some aspect of this project, the Seward Rotary Club’s “Stuff the Cruiser” Toy Drive and Distribution has become an important tradition in the Seward area, ”stated 2018-2019 Rotary President Todd Lavelle. “Special thanks is extended to the generosity of the people of the area who donated toys and funds to this project and the work of so many volunteers from the local Rotarians, their families and our wonderful Seward Police Force! We look forward to continuing and straightening the project even more! Indeed, Rotary’s motto of ‘Service above Self’ is alive and well with this project and we are honored for the Rotary District recognition!”