Fund Raising
The early fund raising was done through "White Elephant" sales, although proceeds were minimal, with one bringing in only $113, although a good year yielded about $600. A number of years, our sponsors from the St. Louis Club came for attendance "make-ups" and to make up needed funds. This was especially true in the campaign to raise money to buy an auditorium organ to benefit the A Capella Choir. Between the era of the "White Elephant" and other methods of fund raising came the Fruit Cake Sales. This was in vogue for about three years in the early 1950s but was more work than the proceeds warranted.
The Pancake Festival
The Pancake Festival was begun in the fall of 1958 and has been continued ever since. It has been a chief supporter of scholarships and loan funds for students and other service projects and has netted varying amounts from $700 to $7,000 annually. The festival, which includes lunch and dinner services, was held for many years at the Congregational Church at Lockwood and Elm, but in 1999 was moved to the Webster Hills Methodist Church Christian Life Center at Lockwood and Berry Roads. For many years, Jack Swanson, Bob Smutz, and Bob Graham spearheaded this sweet and tasty fund-raiser.
Tropical fruits
Since tropical fruits are always welcome in winter, for many years the club brought in oranges and grapefruit from Florida or California to satisfy the demand for the "taste of the tropics" during the cold days of December. Annual fruit sales netted about $1000 - $2000.
Golf Tournament
The "Rotary 18-Way Test" was started in 1995, under the leadership of a group piloted by Mike Keenoy. This golf fundraiser included dinner and auction. Although not everyone played, everyone worked by selling golf slots, ads, and sponsorships; handling tournament logistics; providing auction items; and everyone enjoyed the scenery and fellowship during the tourney. The Rotary 18-Way Test Tournament was always held during the spring at the following courses: Cherry Hills, Olin The Legends, and Pevely Farms. The golf tournament was one of the most successful fundraisers, averaging $5,000-$7,000 per year, rivaling the Pancake Festival.
International Charity Dinner/Dance
In 2006, Faith Markus suggested that the Club sponsor annual balls to raise money for local area charities, groups, and programs. The Club held its first international charity ball on May 5, 2007 (Cinco de Mayo); the evening's activities included dancing to Latin music and enjoying the cuisine and beverages of Mexico.
In 2008, the event took us to Italy: the Taste of Italy dinner-dance was held at The College School of Webster Groves. Italian food and wines were enjoyed by all, with musical entertainment in the Rat Pack style.
Mardi Gras Brazil was the theme of the 2009 dinner-dance with Brazilian food and caipirinhas. Pat Welch's chamber jazz band provided the entertainment, playing samba and bossa nova, as well as jazz, with net proceeds of $3,000.
In 2010, Kim White chaired Fleet Night, featuring a Hawaian menu. Werner Bauer was the honorary chair, and all military veterans and the U.S. Armed Forces were honored during the event, which raised more than $4,000.
Rotary Hoops Madness
Through the efforts of Dick Sant and Scott Krejci, a new fundraiser was introduced in 2010. Rotary Hoops Madness is based on the format of the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, with Club members, family, and friends picking their favorite teams in an internet pool. Proceeds are split evenly between The Rotary Foundation and the winner of the Rotary Madness pool.