The club began and ended the month with service. On August 1, Rotarians volunteered at the Just Tri It Triathlon, a fun and challenging event for youth ages 4–16. Participants swim, bike, and run in a three-event race that promotes fitness and self-confidence. The month concluded with service at the Sir Speedy PD Race for Parkinson's Disease on August 29. At both events, Rotarians served as traffic marshals, staffed water stations, and cheered on participants.
The Community Cares Chest received a facelift this month with freshly painted walls and flooring. The warehouse received shipments of OxiClean, personal hygiene products, paper towels, bottled water, ginger ale, and thousands of books. Over the course of the month, these items were distributed to approximately 80 nonprofit organizations serving communities across the region. Operation Santa from Fort Riley partnered with the club to package and assist with book distribution.
Service at Common Table continues to be one of the club's favorite projects. Each month, seven to nine Rotarians and friends volunteer to serve meals, bus tables, distribute beverages, and clean the dining area. This two-and-a-half-hour service opportunity supports a program that provides a free evening meal seven days a week—no questions asked—while also fostering community, dignity, and social connection for those who attend.
One of the month's highlights was a virtual visit from Karla Jordan, District 5710 Rotary Peace Fellow for 2025. Joining the club via Zoom while in the states, Karla thanked members for their support and shared how the Rotary Peace Fellowship at Bahçeşehir University equipped her to become a more effective peacebuilder.
Dr. Roger Reitz and his late wife, Virginia Reitz, were recognized in Manhattan on August 27 for their extraordinary contributions to the community and their legacy of service. Dr. Reitz has been a Rotarian for 51 years.
Members celebrated the Rotary anniversaries of Dick Thiessen (67 years), Bob Debruyn (55 years), Dick Seaton (55 years), George Ham (42 years), and Jim Lindquist (37 years)—a remarkable 256 combined years of Service Above Self.