Last year, the Rotary Club delivered hundreds of toys to children at Aspirus Wausau NICU and Marshfield Children’s Hospital. Santa Claus, portrayed by club Past President Rob Moore, personally visited the hospitals on Christmas Eve, accompanied by volunteers, to distribute gifts and spread holiday cheer. This year, the club hopes to deliver to those hospitals again while expanding its reach to other facilities across the region, ensuring as many families as possible experience the magic of Christmas.

“This toy drive is about bringing light to children and families during what can be a dark time,” said Carri Kennedy-Harris, president of the Rotary Club of Merrill. “We’re working to reach as many pediatric inpatients and their families as possible, not only to deliver toys but to show them that their community sees them and cares.”

How to Donate
The Rotary Club encourages community members to donate new, unwrapped toys and gift cards to support this initiative. Drop-off locations include:

• Riverside Athletic Club
• Nicolet Bank
• Auntie Ray’s Coffee House

The club will accept donations of books, puzzles, dolls, cars, games, and coloring books. Stuffed animals cannot be accepted due to hospital guidelines. Gift cards for food, lodging, and fuel are also welcome to help ease financial burdens for families traveling to be with their children.

Call for Additional Drop-Off Locations
To maximize the drive’s reach, the Rotary Club invites local businesses and organizations to serve as additional drop-off locations.

“The more collection sites we have, the easier it will be for people to donate,” Kennedy-Harris said. “We encourage businesses to join us in making a difference this holiday season.”

Businesses interested in volunteering their locations can contact the Rotary Club through its website at merrillrotary.org/contact.

Delivering Holiday Cheer Across the Region
On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus and Rotary volunteers will visit as many area hospitals as possible, bringing gifts and holiday joy to children and families. The club is actively reaching out to pediatric departments throughout the region to ensure that no family is overlooked.

“This isn’t just about delivering toys,” Kennedy-Harris said. “It’s about showing families that they’re supported by their community, even during tough times. We hope to make Christmas brighter for as many children as we can.”

For more information, to donate, or to volunteer, visit merrillrotary.org/santa.

About the Rotary Club of Merrill
The Rotary Club of Merrill, Wisconsin (https://www.merrillrotary.org), a member of Rotary International, is committed to serving the local community through meaningful projects that improve lives and create positive change. The Annual Holiday Toy Drive exemplifies the club’s dedication to Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.”

The event, held Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, has been a Rotary tradition in Merrill since its inception in 1974. The club selects a different local non-profit or charitable cause each year as its beneficiary. Past recipients have included The Merrill Food Pantry, HAVEN, and Trinity Daycare. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the chosen recipient.

President Michael Southcombe, Pastor at St. Stephens United Church of Christ, led the meeting. But it was the captivating performance of auctioneer Carl Thoerin that truly ignited the hour. As one of only three attendees present who also witnessed the very first auction in 1974, Carl brought a unique perspective and infectious enthusiasm to his role. His engaging manner and entertaining banter had bidders vying for items, often digging a little deeper for just one more bid under his skillful encouragement.

"Carl's passion and energy were truly contagious,” observed Rob Moore, a Rotarian who was outbid at nearly every attempt to take home an item. “He wove stories into the auction items, and reminded us of the impact our bids would have on the Boys & Girls Club — inspiring some serious competition!”

The auction showcased an array of items, including homemade baked goods, a variety of fine wines and liquors, locally sourced pure maple syrup, a pair of tickets to a Green Bay Packers game, hand-made crafts and decor, gift baskets, and a large variety of select cuts of local meats. These items not only reflected the community's generosity but also added to the vibrant and competitive atmosphere of the event.

The Boys & Girls Club plays a vital role in Merrill, providing a safe and supportive haven for children and teens after school. Through its programs and activities focused on academic achievement, healthy lifestyles, character development, and leadership skills, the Club empowers young minds to reach their full potential.

The Holiday Auction is just one example of the Rotary Club of Merrill's ongoing commitment to making a positive difference in their community. Through their dedication and service, the Rotary Club continues to be a pillar of service and support for Merrill.

About the Rotary Club of Merrill:

The Rotary Club of Merrill is a service organization dedicated to improving the lives of others in their community and around the world. Founded in 1916, the Club has a rich history of service, focusing on areas like education, health, and economic development. For more information about the Club and its work, visit their website at <a href="https://merrillrotary.org">https://merrillrotary.org</a>.

About the Boys &amp; Girls Club of Merrill:

The Boys &amp; Girls Club of Merrill is a nonprofit organization that provides a safe and positive environment for children and teens after school. Through its programs and activities, the Club empowers young people to develop essential skills, build positive relationships, and reach their full potential. For more information about the Club and its work, visit<a href="https://bgcclub.com"> https://bgcclub.com</a>

About Rotary International:

Rotary International is a global network of over 1.4 million volunteers dedicated to solving real problems, both locally and internationally. Through service projects, community engagement, and fundraising initiatives, Rotary clubs around the world work to make a difference in their communities and the world. To learn more about Rotary International and its work, visit <a href="https://rotary.org">https://rotary.org</a>

In a bid to bring holiday cheer to pediatric in-patients across Central Wisconsin, the Rotary Club of Merrill has announced its inaugural Holiday Toy Drive. The drive, which begins immediately, invites community members to donate new, unwrapped toys that would be appropriate for children of all ages.

This community-driven initiative, hosted for the first time by the Merrill service club, aims to ensure that children spending Christmas in the hospital receive a special gift. “Santa Claus,” assisted by Rotary volunteers, plans to distribute the wrapped toys to participating hospitals throughout Central Wisconsin on Christmas Eve.

Donations may be taken to the Fraternal Order of Eagles lodge at 1205 Lake Street, Merrill, during normal business hours. Additional locations for donations will be announced as they become available, and updates can be found on the club's website, merrillrotary.org/santa.

When considering toy donations for children in pediatric wards, it's important to remember that these wards typically cater to a wide age range, from infants to teenagers. Here's a quick guide to help you select the right toys:

• Infants (0-2 years): Soft toys, rattles, and musical toys are great for this age group. Make sure they are easy to clean and have no small parts that could be a choking hazard.
• Toddlers (2-4 years): Consider sturdy, washable toys like building blocks, simple puzzles, and plush animals.
• Young Children (5-7 years): Arts and crafts supplies, action figures, dolls, and board games that encourage imaginative play and are suitable for this age group.
• Older Children (8-12 years): More complex board games, science kits, craft kits, and books can be both entertaining and educational.
• Teenagers: Gift cards, challenging logic, problem-solving and mystery-based board games, books, age-appropriate video games, puzzles, or model kits can be good choices.

The goal is to bring joy and comfort to these young patients. Toys should be new, unwrapped, and safe for a hospital environment - avoid items with sharp edges or small, detachable parts. Thoughtful selection can make a big difference in brightening a child's stay in the hospital.

Monetary contributions will also be accepted to cover the costs of wrapping paper, decorations, and to purchase additional toys as needed to meet the demand. The deadline for all donations is 1 PM Tuesday, December 19th, which will provide ample time for wrapping the gifts and preparing them for distribution.

While the primary focus of the drive is on hospitalized children, the club is also open to expanding its reach to other children who may be in need of holiday cheer. 

"Our initial hope was to bring presents to sick children who couldn't be home with their families on Christmas Eve, but we realize there are many children who may not fit that description who could also use some holiday cheer," said Rob Moore, Public Image Chair for the Rotary Club of Merrill. "We welcome ideas and suggestions from families and agencies who may know of ways we can reach any child who needs a little bit of Santa's magic."

The Rotary Club of Merrill actively participates in various service projects within the Merrill community, ranging from educational initiatives to health and community development efforts. The club is part of Rotary International, which includes over 1.2 million members in more than 200 countries, and focuses on addressing key humanitarian issues around the world, such as promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting education, and growing local economies.

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The Rotary Club of Merrill will participate in the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Adopt-A-Highway program. We have committed to cleaning up a segment of WIS 17 from Barnes Creek to Sunrise Road, starting this month pending snowmelt and the status of standing water at that segment.

We plan to organize cleanup days once a month, and we invite members of the community to join us. Dates will be posted on the website as soon as they are available, and we'll provide refreshments and fun at the end of each service project day.

The Adopt-A-Highway program is an initiative that encourages organizations to "adopt" a segment of highway and commit to cleaning it up at least twice a year. By participating in this program, we are demonstrating our commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and keeping our community clean.

As a Rotary club, we are committed to supporting Rotary's areas of focus, which include promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies. By participating in the Adopt-A-Highway program, we are contributing to the goal of protecting the environment, which is a key aspect of promoting peace and improving public health.

The Adopt-A-Highway program also aligns with Rotary's commitment to vocational service, which involves using our professional skills to serve the community. By organizing cleanup days and encouraging members of the community to join us, we are promoting the idea of using our skills and resources to make a positive impact in our community.

We are proud to be part of the Adopt-A-Highway program and look forward to organizing cleanup days with our members and members of the community. By joining us in this effort, you'll be making a positive impact on our community and helping us promote Rotary's commitment to protecting the environment.

For more information about the Adopt-A-Highway program, visit https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/real-estate/roadsides/adopt-hwy/default.aspx. To learn more about the Rotary Club of Merrill, visit our website at https://merrillrotary.org.

The Rotary Club of Merrill is excited to announce the launch of its new website at https://www.merrillrotary.org. The site was built using WordPress and the DACdb (District and Club Database) WordPress plugin, and is designed to provide members, prospective members, and the Merrill community with a user-friendly platform to access information about the club, its activities, and Rotary International.

“We are thrilled to launch our new website, which will help us better engage with our members and the community,” said Rotary Club of Merrill President Rob Moore, a career software developer who built the site. “The new website is designed to provide a modern, easy-to-navigate platform to showcase our activities and share Rotary's values and principles.”

The website features information on the club's history, mission, and community service projects. In addition, the website includes a timeline of club-related stories, as well as stories from Rotary District 6220 and Rotary International. The website also provides information on upcoming events, meetings, and fundraising initiatives.

“We want to make it easy for our members, prospective members, and the entire community to stay up-to-date on the club's activities as well as Rotary International's initiatives,” said Moore. “The new website provides a centralized platform to access information, join our club, or support our projects.”

The Rotary Club of Merrill is committed to promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, supporting education, and growing local economies. The new website will help the club better communicate its mission and activities with the community.

“We encourage everyone to visit our new website and learn more about our club and Rotary International's efforts to make a positive impact on the world,” said Moore.

For more information, please visit https://www.merrillrotary.org.