The Rotary Club of West El Paso is engaged in a variety of projects. Here are some of the projects we have done in recent years.
Independence Day Parade
For the last 23 years, the Rotary Club of West El Paso has hosted the Rotary Independence Day Parade. The streets of the 2.3 mile path through west El Paso are lined with up to 15,000 spectators to see 90 entries. Participants come from all over the El Paso area and include floats, bands, walking groups and many more to celebrate this special day.
First Tee Desert Classic
The primary fundraiser of the Rotary Club of West El Paso has been a the First Tee Desert Classic, a golf tournament presented in conjunction with the First Tee of Greater El Paso.
This partnership has continued every year since 2009. Unfortunately, due to the Covid pandemic, the tournament this year was cancelled.
Plans are to resume this successful event as soon as it is safe for everyone involved.
RYLA Camps
Rotary International promotes youth development in many ways. One of these is through summer camps called RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award ). Our Rotary District 5520 conducts week long RYLA camps for both girls and boys at Manzano Mountain Retreat in central New Mexico. These camps focus on developing the leadership skills of high school seniors throughout the district. The Rotary Club of West El Paso actively supports this program by sponsoring 4-10 students per year in this program. Our club members also volunteer as counselors at the camp.
Food Baskets
The Rotary Club of El Paso supports the Lee and Beulah Moor Home in El Paso, Texas by supplying food baskets during holiday periods to children served by the home.
Rotary Youth Exchange
Rotary has always worked to better international understanding. One key program to this end is the Rotary Youth Exchange program, which facilitates a one school year experience for a high school student in another country. The Rotary Club of West El Paso has been participating in this for over 30 years by hosting a student every year giving them housing and guidance while they attend a local high school. In exchange, we also send one or more students to experience the life and culture of another country in another country.
Support of Local Non Profit Organizations
The Rotary Club of West El Paso has used the money raised through its parade and golf tournament to support local non-profit organizations
Rotary Friendship Exchange
As mentioned above, Rotary has always worked to better international understanding. One way this occurs is through Rotary Friendship Exchanges. In these exchanges a team of Rotarians from one district travel to a Rotary district in another location, typically overseas. The traveling Rotarians stay with Rotarians in the host district, and visit Rotary clubs, businesses and local attractions.
The Rotary Club of West El Paso has hosted these teams from many other countries, including England, Sweden, Canada, Australia, and Russia.
In return the Rotary Club of West El Paso has and sent its members to be part of teams to Rotary Districts in other countries.
Although coordinated through Rotary districts, the expenses are paid by the individuals participating in these exchanges.
Bridges to Prosperity
The Rotary Club of West El Paso has joined the Rotary Club of Alamogordo and Bridges to Prosperity to provide safe bridges to communities in rural areas. These bridges are built to support foot traffic between communities where safe travel is not otherwise available, notably during rainy seasons. The Rotary Club of West El Paso has participated with funding and volunteers who pay their own way to participate with these projects.
School Supplies
Every year, the Rotary Club of West El Paso provides supplies to students in local schools. Over the years, these supplies have included backpacks, school supplies, and shoes. These projects are generally supported by additional grant money coming from the Rotary Foundation via Rotary District 5520.
Holiday Baskets
The Rotary Club of West El Paso has had an annual Holiday Basket of food and gifts for local area residents.