Stories

Yahna Layton accepts a Student of the Month Certificate from Rotary Club President Rick Nelson, left. Castle View High School Assistant Principal Ryan Hollingshead introduced Layton to the club.

Rick Nelson, president of the Rotary Club of Castle Rock, left, presents a Student of the Month certificate to Ryan Trost. With Trost were his mother Susan, father Kira and Castle View High School Principal Rex Corr.

Rotary Marshals at the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo Parade

 

 

Here, in front of the Rotary Trailer, is the Ducky mascot with, from left to right, Judson Mitchell, Gordon Allott and Elaine Love. Madison Thomas, from The Lotus School of Excellence, a Charter School in Aurora, wore the costume at the Ducky Derby. The Ducky was a huge hit with children along the parade route. Many thanks to Madison Thomas. 

 

 

Here is the "official" parade Entry from Rotary Clubs of Castle Rock; Gordon Allott's truck and the Rotary Club of Castle Rock trailer. The Rotarians took the opportunity to advertise the annual Peach Sale which delivers the finest western slope peaches to the community for bargain basement prices. Fresh and Delicious!

 

NOW THRU AUGUST 15,2014

ROTARY CLUB OF CASTLE ROCK AND POLIO

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a crippling and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The poliovirus invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. It can strike at any age, but mainly affects children under five years of age.

In 1985, Rotary International created PolioPlus - a program to immunize all the world's children against polio. To date, Rotary has contributed more than US$800 million and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries. Rotary is currently working to raise an additional US$200 million toward a US$355 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

These efforts are providing much needed polio vaccine, operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment and educational materials for health workers and parents. In addition, Rotary has played a major role in decisions by donor governments to contribute over $4 billion to the effort.  Click here for short video: END POLIO NOW!                                                       

The Rotary Club of Castle Rock is supporting this effort with a goal to have each Rotarian contribute a minimum of $100 each year.

Zimbabwe Orphanage, School Building and Community Water Supply

This is a project that was started 15 years ago by one of our beloved Rotarians, Ralph Pippett and his wife. Ralph passed away recently but he leaves a legacy of service that we shall not forget nor shall we fail to live up to his example of "Service Above Self".

To be added: More on this story of an amazing husband and wife team that started this project and made the dreams of an African community very "real".

We in the Castle Rock Rotary Club are proud to have shouldered a portion of the load with Ralph over the past years. 

Burkina Faso Project

BACKGROUND - Burkina Faso is a poor, land-locked country in Western Africa. Disease is rampant and infant mortality among the worst in the world. In 2008-09, The Rotary Club of Castle Rock along with other clubs funded five deep-water village wells in the rural county of Zabre. This project brought clean water to over 8,000 people greatly improving their lives.

COUNTRY INFORMATION      

Population: 15,264,000              
Population Growth: 3.11% /yr
Life Expectancy: 52.6 years
GDP (PPP): $1,253
Birth Rate: 44.7/1000
Fertility Rate: 6.34 children
Infant Mortality: 86/1000
Under 5 Mortality: 205/1000

COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN - The County of Zabre created a government-mandated five-year Development Plan based on local input. They identified the most urgent need as clean water; a close second was sanitation (latrines). The other needs, also urgent are in education, healthcare, and agriculture.

SANITATION PROJECT - In 2009-10, The Rotary Club of Denver is addressing the sanitation needs by building 100 badly needed latrines.

CURRENT CONDITIONS - With minor exceptions, there are no latrines in the county of Zabre. As a result, human waste is scattered on the ground creating unsanitary conditions increasing the spread of diseases. There is also the issue of human dignity.

BENEFITS - With the introduction of latrines, and more are ultimately needed, conditions can begin to improve. This will result in a drop in infant mortality, less time away from work and school and an overall better life.

PROJECT COST - Project cost for 100 latrines at $350 per latrine is $35,000. Local residents will contribute by digging the pits.

Town of Castle Rock RoadRANGERS Program

RoadRANGERS is a program established by the Town of Castle Rock through which volunteers agree to pick up litter along both sides of a section of roadway for a one-year period. The Town provides trash bags and reflective safety vests to volunteers and picks up and disposes of all bagged litter collected by volunteers.

Roadside trash is ugly and costs taxpayers millions of annually to clean up locally and statewide.  There are more than 280 miles of streets throughout the Town. It's often challenging for the Town's Public Works staff to keep up with the roadside litter that accumulates along our streets.

The Rotary Club of Castle Rock is an active participant in this program with responsibility for a 1.25 Mile stretch of Plum Creek Parkway from Wilcox Street to Gilbert Street.Three to Four times a year, volunteers within our club rally in support of the Town to clean up our designated section of road.

As volunteers, we have a unique opportunity to donate services to the community and enjoy the results of our hard work. RoadRANGERS volunteers become stewards of public lands by working to improve the look of the community in a meaningful way for all to enjoy.  

Women's Crisis & Family Outreach Center

- "We are dedicated to reducing domestic violence and family conflict through advocacy, empowerment, violence prevention and intervention, services and education." 

Our current program area includes Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties in Colorado. However, please do not hesitate to contact us if you are in need of services and outside this area. Services include:  

-  24-Hour Crisis Line

-  Emergency Shelter

-  Adult & Child Therapy

-  Legal Advocacy

-  School Outreach

-  Community Outreach

For more information on this important program click on "Women's Crisis Center"

Douglas / Elbert Task Force

"Assisting the community with compassion"

The Douglas/Elbert Task Force, "Task Force", endeavors to meet the immediate needs of residents of Douglas and Elbert County who are in financial distress and at risk of becoming homeless. The objective is to help them work through troublesome times with dignity.

People who are in crisis operate under incredible stress.  Having a calm, warm, quiet place to come, and being greeted and made welcome by a smiling volunteer immediately diffuses some of that stress. For the kids, we provide an airy, quiet space with room for them to play safely. Having the opportunity to be listened to and to be heard by staff who not only understand but who can often make a difference that day is an incredible relief, particularly for clients with children.  We go through many, many boxes of tissues, and hugs are given liberally at the Task Force.

The major services provided by the Task Force are:

Food & Toiletries from two Food Banks
Funds for Housing Assistance
Utility Assistance
Emergency Overnight Lodging
Transportation
Prescription and Dental Assistance
Clothing & Household items from our Thrift Stores
Information and Referral to other Agencies & Resources

This is one of our club's most important community service projects.

Our club contributes to the Task Force on a regular basis and has helped with major renovations in the past and will continue to suppor the organization in any way possible.

For more information at their web-site click on "Douglas Elbert Task Force"

Become a member

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Rotarian.  Rotary International  is an association of individual clubs, with each club operating autonomously. Membership is extremely important to us, and we are always eager to hear from individuals interested in our mission and in joining a Rotary club. The RI universal premise is that the membership of each club constitutes an accurate representation of the business and professional population within the community served.

Membership in a Rotary club requires available business or professional classification opportunities as well as an invitation and sponsorship by a member of the club. Sometimes an individual cannot be invited or sponsored for membership.

Rotarians are business and professional leaders who take an active role in their communities while greatly enriching their personal and professional lives. A Rotary club contains a diverse group of professional leaders from the community that the club  serves.

Membership in a Rotary club offers a number of benefits, including:

• effecting change within the community
• advancing business and professional contacts
• developing leadership skills
• gaining an understanding of — and having an impact on — international humanitarian issues

Through Rotary International's service programs, a Rotary club can have a significant effect on the quality of life in its community. Rotary Foundation programs offer opportunities to form international partnerships that help people in need worldwide. Some 1.2  million Rotarians in 30,000 clubs in more than 160 countries make significant contributions to the quality of life at home and around the globe.

To find out more about Rotary's rich history and the organization's mission and structure, see our Contact Form  or contact a Rotarian directly by visiting our Officers and Directors or Contact pages.

1. The student’s academic achievements based of GPA;
2. The student’s involvement in school activities including, but not limited to, sports, student government, club activities, honor societies and general school programs.
3. The student’s involvement in community service programs or projects;
4. An essay about how the student regards Rotary’s Four Way Test and how it applies to his or her life.

DUCKY DERBY PRIZES

Cash Prizes 

The number on each ticket sold will be affixed to the bottom of a ducky. When a ducky with your ticket number crosses the finish line first ...you win the first place cash prize. Second and third place finishes also win cash prizes as follows:

• First Place - $2000
• Second Place - $750
• Third Place - $250

Grand Prize  - Chance to win One Million Dollars

A ticket holder whose ducky crosses the finish line first has a chance to win $1,000,000.

How does this work?  One ticket number for every 3,333 tickets sold will be randomly selected by a third party prize underwriter as a potential million dollar winner. The "million dollar number(s)" will be selected prior to the race and kept in a sealed security envelope.  At the conclusion of the race, a race official will determine whether the ducky that crosses the finish line first is a duck with a million dollar number.   If it is, the holder of the ticket with that number wins the Million Dollar Grand Prize. 

If the first ducky is not one with a million dollar number, the million dollar prize will not be awarded.

If there is a Grand Prize winner, the $1,000,000 is payable in forty (40) equal installments of $25,000 each year beginning in 2013, without any accrued interest.

A Million Dollar Grand Prize winner will not be awarded the $2000 First Place Prize. In that event the Second Place ducky (number) will be awarded the $2000 cash prize, the third place will win the $750 and fourth place will win $250.

Consolation Prize - Chance to win a New Car  

Model to be determined

One ticket number for each 500 tickets sold will be randomly selected by a third party underwriter as a potential new car winning number. The "new car numbers" will be selected prior to the race and kept in a sealed security envelope. At the conclusion of the race, a race official will determine whether the Ducky that crosses the finish line second is a Ducky with a new car number.  If it is, the holder of the ticket with that number wins the New Car Consolation Prize.

If the second place Ducky does not have a new car number, a new car will not be awarded.

Street Vendors

When:  We are actively seeking vendor participation in this year's 17th Annual Ducky Derby to be held:

Saturday, June 7, 2014  

Location: Festival Park is located on 2nd Street between Wilcox and Perry. 

Time: The event is scheduled from 11am to 5pm.  Vendor set up will be 8:30 am to 10:00 am. 

Fee Schedule: The vendor fee schedule is as follows:  

• For Retail Sales Vendors -  The fee for space is $150.00 ($75.00 for non-profit organization vendors).  The fee will be reduced to 40% of gross sales if vendor sales do not reach a total of $375.00, but will not be reduced below a $75.00 minimum fee. The adjustment will be made by refund following the Ducky Derby.

• For Marketing Vendors - The fee for space is $150.00 ($75.00 for non-profit organization vendors)   

• A $25.00 discount is given if Vendor and Marketing Agreements and the payment check are received by April 15, 2014.

Limitations:  There are limits to the number of some types of vendors that we will select. All applications will be handled on a first come first serve basis. 

Sign-up: 

• If you are interested in participating in the Ducky Derby as a Street Vendor, download using the link below and complete the "Vendor Agreement". 

• If you are interested in appearing at the event strictly as a marketing and promotional effort with no sales involved, or you are a non-profit organization, download using the link below and complete the "Marketing Agreement". 

• Mail completed agreements and payment check to the following:

Ducky Derby Vendor - Marketing Chairman

5243 East Essex Ave.

Castle Rock, CO 80104

Agreements:  To Download, click on the appropriate agreement:

            2014 - Ducky Derby Vendor Agreement 

            2014 - Ducky Derby Marketing Agreement 

The Rotary Club of Castle Rock, Rotary Club of Castle Pines and Castle Rock High Noon Rotary Club acknowledge and thank each of the sponsors that have contributed to the 2013 Ducky Derby and Street Festival.

These generous contributors make possible this most important Rotary fund raiser which supports many important charities in the Castle Rock community.

Rotary Ducky Derby Thanks You All

2013 Media Sponsors

    The Castle Pines Connection

    Community Media of Colorado

    Castle Rock Area Newsletters

    CastleRockbound.net

2013 Sponsors

    PLATINUM LEVEL - $2,500 and higher

        Castle Rock Adventist Health Campus - Centura Health

        Medved Autoplex of Castle Rock

    GOLD LEVEL - $1000 up to $2,499 

        Leevers Supermarkets

        Mirage Dental Association

        Paul Dassel

        WalMart - Sam's Club Lone Tree 

    SILVER LEVEL - $500 up to $999

        Allott Immigrtation Law 

        Black Hills Energy

        Beemar Group LLC

        Castle Rock Bank

        Dukes Steakhouse

        First Bank of Douglas County

        Home Depot 

        IREA

        Merrill Lynch Wealth Management - Larry Martin

        Olinger Funeral Homes

        Stucy Realty

    BLUE LEVEL - $250 up to $499

        Autobahn Auto Body

        Bonaventure Senior Living

        Castle Rock Dermatology

        Castle Rock Development Co.

        Castle Rock Foot and Ankle

        CoWest Insurance

        Dr. Emie Bennett

        Folkstad, Fazekas, Barrick & Patoile

        Gill Capital Partners

        Gubbels Law Office

        JMC Instruments 

        John S. Lydiatt DDS

        Judson Mitchell

        Meyer & Lydiatt Dentistry

        Karen Becker

        Plum Creek Medical

        Pro Plumbing

        Skyridge

        Sunset Stone

        Willcox Automotive

2013 Cash Sponsors

You can become a cash sponsor at one of four different sponsorship levels, each with varying degrees of recognition and promotional benefit.  Of course the main benefit will be the Rotary charities that receive support because of your sponsorship. 

Contact: Gordon Allott at 303-378-1710 or email gordon@allott.com to become a sponsor.

PLATINUM SPONSORSHIP LEVEL - $2,500 and over

Benefits:

• Free booth space at the June 8, 2013 Ducky Derby for corporate promotion
• Company name and logo displayed on event poster and a banner at the event
• Recognition as 'major' sponsor in event press releases
• Special recognition at the Ducky Derby to include name on a sponsor board
• Special recognition at the event over PA system
• Recognition on the official Ducky Derby website
• Recognition in thank you ad following the event
• Handsome "Thank You" plaque for display at your business

GOLD SPONSRSHIP LEVEL - $1000 up to $2,499

Benefits:

• Company name and logo displayed on event poster and a banner at the event.
• Recognition as a sponsor in event press releases
• Special recognition at the Ducky Derby to include name on sponsor board
• Special recognition at the event over PA system
• Recognition on the official Ducky Derby website
• Recognition in thank you ad following the event
• Handsome "Thank You" plaque for display at your business 

SILVER SPONSORSHIP LEVEL - $500 to $999

Benefits:

• Special recognition at the Ducky Derby to include name on sponsor board
• Recognition on the official Ducky Derby web site
• Recognition in thank you ad following the event
• Handsome "Thank You" plaque for display at your business

Prize Sponsors    

Companies donating gift certificates, merchandise or other in-kind support will be recognized on our website at different levels of giving along with recognition in a newspaper advertisement following the event in our local community.  Donations will be used as prizes in the Ducky Derby race or silent auction.

Contact: Gordon Allott at 303-378-1710 or send an e-mail to gordon@allott.com to become a cash or prize sponsor.

The Ducky Derby Race

The feature event of our festival is the Ducky Derby Race to take place about 3pm on June 8, 2013.  This year we are planning to race 10,000 highly trained "Rubber Duckys" down Plum Creek to a finish line about a quarter of a mile down stream. 

Each duck has a number affixed to it's bottom that corresponds to a number on each of the tickets sold. If your ducky crosses the finish line first --- You Win!

Additional Prizes are awarded in the order in which the ducks cross the finish line. 

One Ticket - One Rubber Ducky

       You DO NOT need to be in attendance to win.             

Winners will be called on their telephone.

Keep your ticket until you determine if you have won.

How many Tickets are being Sold?

We are targeting 10,000 tickets to be sold.

What is the Cost?

Tickets can be obtained with a donation of

• $5 per ticket - or 
• $20 for five tickets.

Where can Tickets be Obtained?

Tickets can be obtained at the following locations:

 In Front of Stores:

 - King Soopers Castle Pines -  Saturdays & Sundays 10am-2pm - dates to be determined

 - King Soopers Founders / I-25 - Saturdays & Sundays 10am-4pm - dates to be determined

 - King Soopers Ridge Road -  Saturdays & Sundays 10am-4pm - dates to be determined

 - Safeway Perry Street - dates to be determined        

 - Walmart - dates to be determined

Inside Locations

• Castle Rock Bank - Both the Wilcox and Castle Pines Parkway Branches

• Castle Rock Senior Center

At the Ducky Derby

 Any remaining tickets will be sold the day at the Ducky Derby event prior to the Derby Race. 

Don't count on tickets being left on the day of the race. 

Get your tickets NOW!

The scholarship program was initiated by Castle Rock Rotary in 1990 when the Club decided to offer a scholarship to a deserving Douglas County High School graduating senior exemplifying the Object of Rotary ("To encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise"). The Club was and continues to be especially anxious to recognize and reward students who have demonstrated committed service to their community and a plan to use their career as an avenue of continued service to community.

The first scholarship was $500.00 and was awarded in 1991 to a student seeking a bachelor's degree at a four-year college. The award has been increased to the  present sum of $6,000 (1-$2,000 scholarship and 4-$1,000 scholarships) for a four-year college or vocational/trade school.

The application forms (see below) and process are designed for the award committee to learn how the applicant has and will promote the ideals and Object of Rotary with the education being sought. Emphasis is placed on community service and Rotary involvement, e.g. Student of the Month, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Interact, etc. At least one letter of reference is requested, along with a response by the applicant of no more than two pages. Although high academic achievement is not a determining factor, the student's cumulative grade point average must be 2.5 or higher.

Leader - One who, by the power of their positive actions, compels others to positive action.

What is RYLA?

The Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) in Rotary Districts 5440 and 5450, is a 5-day leadership conference held at the YMCA of the Rockies, in Estes Park, Colorado. These two Rotary districts cover Northern Colorado, Wyoming and Western Nebraska.

Most all who attend enthusiastically say, "This has changed my life"

Who is eligible?

Any High School Sophomore or Junior prior to the summer conference may apply. Generally, the applicants who are selected have excelled in one or more areas of high school involvement and have proven leadership experience or potential.

The objectives of RYLA are:

• To encourage and assist youth leaders and potential leaders in methods of responsible and effective leadership by providing them with a training experience.
• To encourage continued and stronger leadership of youth by youth.
• To publicly recognize the outstanding qualities of many young people who are rendering service to their schools and communities as leaders.

The entire focus of RYLA is to provide foundational leadership skills for teenagers. It has been said that leadership cannot be taught, but it must be learned. At RYLA there are opportunities to learn leadership skills through experiential activities, incredible speakers, small group discussions, large group presentations, and in building life-long friendships.

What does it cost?

Your local Rotary club pays the conference fee of $400.00 per participant. For more details and instructions on how to apply click on "Rocky Mountain RYLA": Rocky Mountain RYLA

Note that the official name of our club that would be your sponsor is "Rotary Club of Castle Rock" (morning club) .

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Rotarian. Rotary International is an association of individual clubs, with each club operating autonomously. Membership is extremely important to us, and we are always eager to hear from individuals interested in our mission and in joining a Rotary club. The RI universal premise is that the membership of each club constitutes an accurate representation of the business and professional population within the community served.

Membership in a Rotary club requires available business or professional classification opportunities as well as an invitation and sponsorship by a member of the club. Sometimes an individual cannot be invited or sponsored for membership.

Rotarians are business and professional leaders who take an active role in their communities while greatly enriching their personal and professional lives. A Rotary club contains a diverse group of professional leaders from the community that the club  serves.

Membership in a Rotary club offers a number of benefits, including:

• effecting change within the community
• advancing business and professional contacts
• developing leadership skills
• gaining an understanding of — and having an impact on — international humanitarian issues

Through Rotary International's service programs, a Rotary club can have a significant effect on the quality of life in its community. Rotary Foundation programs offer opportunities to form international partnerships that help people in need worldwide. Some 1.2  million Rotarians in 30,000 clubs in more than 160 countries make significant contributions to the quality of life at home and around the globe.

To find out more about Rotary's rich history and the organization's mission and structure, see our Contact Form or contact a Rotarian directly by visiting our Officers and Directors page or by using our Contact Form.

 DUCKY DERBY 2014

Saturday, June 7

Downtown Castle Rock 

Festival Park - at Perry & 2nd Street

"Family Fun for Everyone"

The Ducky Derby is the largest annual fundraiser sponsred by the Castle Rock and Castle Pines clubs which include:

• Rotary Club of Castle Rock
• Castle Rock High Noon Rotary 
• Rotary Club of Castle Pines. 

These clubs are part of Rotary International, a world wide humanitarian organization with over 1.2 million members.  The Rotary motto is:  "Service above Self".

This Event Supports Local Castle Rock Charities 

Women's Crisis and Family Outreach Center

Douglas Elbert Task Force - Food Bank 

Senior Center

Homes for our Troops

Boy Scouts of America

College Scholarships

International Exchange Students

Colorado Flood and Fire Victims

Win Fabulous Prizes - Enter a Ducky in the Ducky Derby Race

1st Place - $2000 and Chance to win $1 million

2nd Place - $750 and Chance to win a New Auto

3rd Place - $250

The Ducky Derby Race 

Here is how the Derby Race works

After you make a donation, which earns you a numbered ticket,   we enter a "rubber Ducky" into the Derby Race with the number   on your ticket affixed to one of our highly trained Duckys. Only those Duckys that have a ticket sponsor will be allowed to race  in the Derby. Multiple tickets may be purchased.

One ticket for each Ducky

On the day of the race, June 7, we release all the Duckys at the   same time into the water at the starting point on Plum Creek. Then all these Duckys RACE like crazy for the finish line.

If a ducky with your ticket number is first across the finish line .... you Win $2000!

The second place finish wins $750 and third place wins $250

     Grand Prize - Chance to win $1 Million

 More exciting, if your ducky is the first place finisher and has the  "million dollar ticket number".... you Win $1,000,000! 

Yes, that is one million dollars. The million dollar ticket number is selected in a random drawing from all the purchased ticket numbers before the race. 

Consolation Prize - Chance to win a New Auto

If a Ducky with your ticket number comes in second and it has a "New Car Ticket Number" 

... you Win a New Car 

That is right, a New Car.  Multiple New Car ticket numbers are selected at random before the race.

For complete rules of the race please select this link:   2014 Ducky Derby Rules

At the first Castle Rock Ducky Derby in 1997, only 500 rubber ducks raced down East Plum Creek to a finish line, where the first several ducks earned there sponsors a few prizes. Each year since that  modest beginning, the Ducky Derby has grown to the point that  it now is a recognized and highly anticipated annual event for  Castle Rock and the surrounding community. 

The 2013 event was attended by 3,000 to 4,000 people from all over the area including visitors from out of state. Over 8,500 of our highly trained Duckys raced in the Derby.

The only cash awards in 2013 were $2000 for 1st, $750 for 2nd and $250 for 3rd.  In addition there were 375 other non-cash prizes awarded to lucky winners, based on how their Duckys performed in the race.  No one has won the $1,000,000 so far. 

Most important of all, close to $50,000 net proceeds were raised in 2013 and awarded to local, regional and international Rotary charities.