The Rotary Club of Sun City held its 4th annual fundraising gala at the Sun City ballroom June 3. The “Bandstand” celebration was golden oldies from the 50s and 60s down to the last details, including authentic vinyl records on the tables and the poodle skirts on many of the guests. Net proceeds from the event will be used to fund EarlyAct FirstKnight; a K-5 character building program in Jarrell and Georgetown ISDs; INTERACT High School Service Club, RYLA (High School Leadership), Literacy Grants, The Locker, The NEST and other programs benefiting the youth of Williamson County.
President Steve Bohnenkamp says he’s received a great deal of positive feedback about the event and the celebrity emcee, KEYE’s Chikage Windler, brought in the highest silent auction bid on the night. The lucky winner gets to have lunch with Windler, tour the station and be meteorologist for a day. “Ms. Windler is a very gracious hostess and we were so lucky to have someone who makes time to visit with everyone at the party,” Bohnenkamp says. As well, the evening’s grand prize golf cart was won, for the first time by Rotarians; Glenn and Deanne Coward, who were happy to receive the news on Glenn’s birthday.
Although the crowd was down from previous years, Rotary continues to apply for grants and raise funds for children all over Williamson County. At press time, Bohnenkamp estimates the event will add as much as $20,000 for program donations. “People are under the misconception that kids in Georgetown, Round Rock and Cedar Park all come from happy families with plenty of money and it’s just not true. As Georgetown and surrounding areas grow, so too do the needs of the children here. There are a lot of disadvantaged kids and we are trying to help them as they grown. It is our vision to see them raise themselves up their bootstraps and become good citizens.”
The event also had coverage on CBS-Austin; view the clip at https://youtu.be/RW06BILH2EY
Bohnenkamp says he hopes the TV coverage will bring greater visibility to the Rotary mission and more Texans will decide to be a part of helping the kids. To help support Rotary, you can reach Steve at 512-943-4062 or sbohnenkamp@gmail.com