Canyon Lake Rotary

Initiated in December 2000 by Patrick Killough, Kyle Pringle, and John Valicek, and sponsored by the New Braunfels Rotary, Canyon Lake Rotary was chartered by Rotary International 21 March 2001. In addition to weekly meetings with outstanding speakers on local to international topics, Canyon Lake Rotary yearly history highlights include the following "Service Above Self":

During the John Valicek presidency (March 2001 through June 2002), Canyon Lake Rotary service included Warmth of Rotary (60 jackets), project Thanksgiving (20 turkeys/hams), project Food Pantry, project Hunger Plus (aid to Mexican communities).

During the Kyle Pringle presidency (July 2002 through June 2003), Canyon Lake Rotary had its Funraiser ($13,000 net), conducted: Warmth of Rotary (100 jackets), project Thanksgiving (20 turkeys/hams), and project Food Pantry, gave $2000 to Rotary Foundation, served as Salvation Army Red Kettle Volunteers, sponsored Children’s Art project, gave thru CRRC*$1500 to Comal flood relief, awarded 5 university scholarships totaling $2500, and gave $2200 to Canyon Lake Fire/Emergency Medical Service.

During the Norm Cooper presidency (July 2003 through June 2004), Canyon Lake Rotary had its Funraiser ($9000 net), conducted Warmth of Rotary (200 jackets), project Thanksgiving (20 turkey/hams), project Food Pantry, gave $2500 to Rotary Foundation, sponsored Children's Art project, funded podiatric surgery for Mexican children, flew $1000 (half from community) of supplies to Piedras Negras flood victims, awarded 4 university scholarships totaling $4000, 5 more members became Paul Harris Fellows, membership grew 25% (to 20), and member retention was 100%.

During the Bob DiFonzo presidency (July 2004 through June 2005), Canyon Lake Rotary had its Funraiser ($7400 net), conducted Children’s Art (100 Certificates), donated to Food Pantry, Warmth of Rotary (200 jackets), Project Thanksgiving (40 turkeys/hams), gave to Rotary Foundation ($1,900), awarded 4 university scholarships ($6,000), donated toys to Border Kids ($1,000), funded pediatric surgery for Mexican children, pledged ($2000) for flag pole and flag for new library, and club was awarded Centennial Presidential Citation by Rotary International.

During the Sandy Carey presidency (July 2005 through June 2006), Canyon Lake Rotary had its Funraiser ($22,000 net), continued: Children’s Art (50 Certificates), Project Thanksgiving (40 turkeys) and Warmth of Rotary (100 jackets); awarded 4 university scholarships ($6000); and supported Crop Walk and Dictionary projects. The club donated: 4 computer monitors and “Rotary Night” meal and books to New Life Treatment Center, $1000 to Hurricane Katrina pet rescue and toys to child evacuees, $3000 to St. Jude’s Ranch center for Young Children, $250 to Salvation Army, $500 to Food Pantry, $1000 for fans for CRRC* exercise room, and $2500 to Child Advocacy Center. $250 each to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, $500 to DARE*, $250 to One Hundred Club, $500 to Preston Memorial Library, and $500 to Rotary projects in Mexico. The club made its first vocational visits (St. Jude’s and the Rocking MJ), hosted its first Group Study Exchange (5 from Brazil), honored its first “Citizen of the Year” and donated coffee to soldiers in Iraq and dinners to local law enforcement officers. The club brought in eight new members and earned two district awards for community service.

During the Alan Stahlman presidency (July 2006 through June 2007), Canyon Lake Rotary had its Funraiser ($18,000 net) and donated $20,000 to many charities including: Blue Bonnet Disaster Relief Tilt Skillet ($1,500), Blue Star Moms ($100), Boy Scouts ($250), Crop Walk ($100), DARE* ($500), Food Pantry ($1,000), 4 university scholarships ($8,000), Girl Scouts ($250), Girls Softball ($100), Heritage Museum ($500), Little League score board ($2,600), New Life Children’s Treatment Center ($500), One Hundred Club ($250), Preston Memorial Library ($500), Rotary Foundation ($1,000), Rotary Romania Orphanage ($2,000), Salvation Army ($500), St. Jude Center for Children ($500). Donated to CRRC* for Project Thanksgiving and for many Warmth of Rotary jackets. Members contributed their time to many causes including attending our first scholarship recipient graduation (Denise Keller, Suma Cum Laude), hosting Rotary Group Study Exchange (five from Japan welcomed into Rotarian homes and to other Texas hospitality), helping install little league scoreboard, participating in Salvation Army Christmas bell ringing. Membership grew to 23.

During the Donna Eccleston presidency (July 2007 through, June 2008) Canyon Lake Rotary had its Funraiser ($20,000 net), awarded 4 university scholarships ($8,000) and a grad school gift ($1,000) to our 4 year scholarship awardee, donated to: Rotary Foundation ($1,000), New Life for girls shelter ($500), DARE* ($500), One Hundred Club ($250), Salvation Army Christmas ($500), Boy Scouts ($250), Girl Scouts ($250), Canyon Lake High School Band ($100), Operation Float a Soldier ($475), and through CRRC*: Food Pantry ($500), Thanksgiving turkeys ($500), and many Warmth of Rotary jackets, and contributed member participation in several of these programs.

During the Paul Conner presidency (July 2008 through, June 2009) Canyon Lake Rotary had its Funraiser ($16,000 net), awarded 4 university scholarships ($9,000), donated to: CRRC* Warmth of Rotary (124 jackets), DARE* ($500), New Life Treatment Center ($500), Salvation Army ($500), Communities in Schools: Food for Children ($400), St. Jude Ranch for Children ($342), Blue Star Mothers ($254), Boy Scouts ($250), Girl Scouts ($250), 100 Club of Comal County ($200), CRRC* Food Pantry ($141), Children Advocacy Center ($124), Canyon Lake High School Band ($100), Crop Walk ($100), SART* Foundation ($76), Upstarts ($52), etc., and contributed member participation in charitable programs, including Salvation Army bell ringing, assiting CRRC* with North Pole Village, and hosting Rotary Group Study Exchange (4 guests from France).

*CRRC: Community Resource & Recreation Center, Canyon Lake TX

DARE: Drug Abuse Response Team of Comal County TX

SART: Sexual Assault Response Team of Comal County TX