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Local leaders passionate about improving Desoto County, and about helping our Desoto county children succeed through local projects.

Round Up for Rotary

According to The Florida Policy lnstitute's Child Well-Being Index, DeSoto County children rank 66th out of the 67 Florida Counties. Education, health, economic well-being and family & community were identified as areas of concern. We can do better, DeSoto! Your Arcadia Rotary Club is ready to take the challenge and raise money as well as awareness to improve the future for our children. As a service club, Arcadia Rotary is also stepping up to provide hands-on assistance. You're invited to join us as we focus on early childhood education.

Remember 2 out of 3 Desoto Co, kids cannot read at grade level!

Round Up for Rotary</p> <p>According to The Florida Policy lnstitute's Child Well-Being Index, DeSoto County children rank 66th out of the 67 Florida Counties. Education, health, economic well-being and family & community were identified as areas of concern. We can do better, DeSoto! Your Arcadia Rotary Club is ready to take the challenge and raise money as well as awareness to improve the future for our children. As a service club, Arcadia Rotary is also stepping up to provide hands-on assistance. You're invited to join us as we focus on early childhood education.<br /> Remember 2 out of 3 Desoto Co, kids cannot read at grade level!

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Round up for Rotary Goal: $100,000

  • Our Progress 4.5% 4.5%

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Youth Activities

Other Youth activities include RYLA, book distributions (see “Nocatee with kids.jpg”, helping coaches (see “Desoto Middle School Athletic Fund check.jpg), helping teachers (see “Handing out teacher supplies.jpg” and “Supplies for teachers.jpg”

After School Activities

After School Programs for kids are a continuing project in partnership with “Sarasota & Desoto County Boys & Girls Clubs.pdf” Currently they are conducted at “Louis-and-Gloria-Flanzer-Boys & Girls Club.jpg” with hopes we can add a second location once the local YMCA opens.

Scholarships & Interact

Annually we sponsor Interact and give out 4 scholarships. Historically these were funded by a “Historic 5K fundraiser.jpg” as is the ongoing support of our Interact Club. I do not have an Interact image – – maybe we could link to https://my.rotary.org/en/learning-reference/lea…

Exchange Students

Exchange students both inbound and outbound enhance our club. Currently one of our members has a daughter in Spain and we are hosting “Welcome exchange student from Japan.jpg”

Local Civic Activities

Other Local Civic activities supported include local “Help at Rodeo.jpg”, “Helping Catholic Charities after hurricane.jpg”, assisting the city with park & historic renovations, funding downtown Main Street Arcadia events, supporting our local “Sheriff Potter.jpg” , and occasionally helping individuals (see “Foot Bridge after Idalia.jpg” as examples. We always contribute to Habitat for Humanity.

Supporting Local Youth Agencies

.Upon request we support local agency Youth activities such as “Desoto County Library.jpg” and “Team Arcadia.pdf”.

Ready. Set. Read!

Ready.Set.Read!/READ Alliance program similar to the Berks County PA Program Overview link I sent you last week. If we can work in a mention of that as a future Early Learning activity that would be nice but we have no firm details as of today. I meet with Patterson Foundation and Suncoast United Way representatives on Oct. 10th.

Team Arcadia

Team Arcadia is a non-profit dedicated to the economic progress and development of Arcadia. The Mcswain Cultural Arts and Learning Center is our most recent project.

As a member-managed community non­ profit organization, Team Arcadia relies on volunteers and donations to support our projects: including the Mcswain Park Center project.

Your membership, $35-$2,500 annually, in Team Arcadia is a requirement to participate in Mcswain Center events and programs. Whether or not you live in Arcadia we welcome your investment in the community’s future. If you are interested, Membership applications are available.

The Annual Membership, renewal in January, helps to promote events and cover the cost of operation, insurance and utilities.

The McSwain Cultural Arts and Learning Center Programs

Cultural Programs:

  • Dance classes for children and youth
  • Dance classes for adults
  • Art shows and exhibits
  • Concerts featuring specific musical genres.

Ticketed events:

  • Movies, & Dances
  • Entertainment (musical and dramatic)

Educational Programs:

  • Reading and tutorial programs for children
  • Life enrichment lectures and classes for adults

Social meetings and clubs:

  • Clubs may meet monthly if at least 50% of those at the meeting are TEAM Members

Economic Development:

  • Market events (farmer’s market craft and art vendors, etc.).
  • Team Arcadia Corporate members bring economic benefit to the community and are entitled to special access for meetings.
  • Small event trade shows and exhibits