The Rotary Club of Clinton is committed to strengthening our community through meaningful action and lasting service. From our earliest days, we have worked to advance the mission and ideals of Rotary International right here in Clinton—creating opportunities to lead, serve, and make a measurable difference.

We are more than a service club; we are a club of action. Each year, our members dedicate their time, expertise, and resources to initiatives that improve lives locally and extend our impact beyond our community’s borders.

Have you ever wondered what annual service projects the Rotary Club of Clinton supports—here at home and around the world? Explore the highlights below to discover how we continue to invest in our community and help build a stronger, brighter future for all.

Scholarships for Local Seniors

At every meeting, members of the Rotary Club of Clinton contribute to our dedicated “Scholarly Dues” fund—an ongoing, member-supported initiative that reflects our belief in investing in the next generation of leaders. These voluntary contributions, given consistently throughout the year, demonstrate our shared commitment to education, opportunity, and student success.

At the conclusion of each school year, the funds raised are awarded to eight local high school seniors as they begin their journey to higher education. Each student receives a $1,000 scholarship to support tuition, books, or other academic expenses—providing both financial assistance and encouragement at a pivotal moment in their lives.

Beyond the monetary award, these scholarships represent the collective support of a community that believes in their potential. Recipients are recognized for their academic achievement, character, leadership, and service—values that closely align with Rotary’s guiding principles.

This impactful program is currently led by Rotarians Braydon Roberts and Andrew Kida, whose leadership and dedication help ensure the continued success and integrity of the initiative. Through their efforts—and the generosity of our members—we are proud to play a meaningful role in opening doors and empowering students to pursue their dreams with confidence.

 
 
 
To apply for a scholarship, please fill out the application here, or click below. 

PLEASE NOTE: The application is only available during select times. Please reach out to a Rotary member for more information. 

Click Me to Apply for a Scholarship!

Josh the Otter – A Water Safety Initiative

“Josh the Otter” was written in 2009 by Nebraska Rotarians Blake Collingsworth and Kathy Collingsworth following the heartbreaking drowning of their young son, Joshua, in their family’s backyard pool. Out of unimaginable loss, they created a mission-driven children’s book designed to teach water safety awareness and the critical importance of constant adult supervision around water.

Through the work of the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation, the book was distributed to every elementary school in Nebraska in 2009 and 2010, accompanied by a personal appeal to educators to share its life-saving message with students before summer break. What began as one family’s effort to prevent another tragedy quickly grew into a statewide—and eventually national—water safety initiative.

Inspired by this powerful story and aligned with our commitment to literacy, health, and youth safety, the Rotary Club of Clinton launched our own “Josh the Otter” initiative. With grant support from The Rotary Foundation, we secured books, educational materials, stickers, and even a Josh the Otter costume to bring the program to life.

Each spring, our Rotarians visited all nine elementary schools in the Clinton area to deliver this engaging, age-appropriate presentation. Members personally read the story, interacted with students, and reinforced key safety lessons in a way that was both memorable and meaningful. By combining literacy with life-saving education, we help equip children—and their families—with knowledge that can prevent tragedy.

Through initiatives like “Josh the Otter,” we continue our mission of service—protecting young lives, promoting education, and making a lasting impact in our community.

Dictionaries for Local Third Graders

Each fall, the Rotary Club of Clinton proudly invests in youth literacy by presenting a personal dictionary to every third-grade student in Clinton and the surrounding communities. This cherished tradition reflects our deep commitment to education, academic achievement, and lifelong learning—core values championed by Rotary International.

More than simply distributing books, our Rotarians volunteer their time to visit each third-grade classroom, creating a meaningful and memorable experience for students. During these visits, members introduce the dictionary as a powerful learning tool, share Rotary’s mission of service, and highlight the importance of curiosity, integrity, and community involvement.

A favorite part of the visit is the interactive “Search and Define” activity, where students eagerly explore new vocabulary, practice dictionary skills, and discover the excitement of language. Laughter, raised hands, and enthusiastic participation fill the room as children realize that words unlock knowledge—and knowledge creates opportunity.

For more than 30 years, this program has made a lasting impact at a pivotal stage in a child’s development. By placing a dictionary directly into each student’s hands, we provide more than pages and definitions—we provide confidence, independence, and a resource they can use for years to come.

The smiles, thank-you notes, and genuine excitement from students make this one of our most rewarding initiatives. It is both a privilege and an honor for our club to support the academic growth of local children and to help lay the foundation for their future success.

Kicks for Kids

Kicks for Kids is a service initiative led by the Rotary Club of Clinton, aimed at ensuring local children have access to proper winter footwear during the coldest months of the year. In collaboration with elementary school principals and counselors, the club identifies students in need and coordinates the distribution of snow boots to ensure no child goes without adequate protection from the elements.

In keeping with Rotary International’s commitment to supporting children and strengthening communities, the Rotary Club of Clinton recently partnered with local small business Brown’s Shoe Fit to enhance the impact of this project. Thanks to the generous support of store owner Aaron and his team, every child identified by participating schools received a new pair of snow boots—helping them stay safe, warm, and confident throughout the winter season.

This partnership exemplifies the power of local collaboration and service above self, delivering both immediate comfort and long-term care to our community’s youngest members.

International Service Projects

Greenhouses in Oaxaca, Mexico

The Rotary Club of Clinton has partnered up with the Seattle Rotary Club to provide Greenhouses in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
 
As of December 2019, the Rotary Club of Clinton has paid for six Greenhouses in Oaxaca, Mexico (at $325/piece), which provide food and can almost double their annual income (.65/day + $75-100/mo).
 
Please see more pictures below. For more information about this project, please click HERE!
 

Pictures of the Greenhouses