A partial listing of Rotary Club of Opelousas Sunrise’s recent service projects:
Assistance to the St. Landry Parish School Board – Members assist the School Board Coordinator to review portfolios and interview students to select the Student of the Year.
Shoppe D’ Noel – Members serve on teams to collect, distribute and wrap Christmas gifts for residents of nursing homes in Opelousas to give to their families. The project involves youth and adult volunteers led by Rotarians.
Support of New Life Center for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse – The Club sponsored a room when the facility was remodeled and provides ongoing support in the form of financial donations and supplies.
Support of the ICON Food Bank – Support consists of financial contributions and collection of canned goods.
Financial assistance to the elderly – The club participates in a program sponsored by the St. Landry Sheriff’s Department to provide eyeglasses for the elderly.
Career Futures Exposition – Several club members assist the St. Landry Parish School Board to help 10th graders throughout the parish in selecting careers. The entire exposition is coordinated by a Rotarian and another Rotarian sits on the CFE Coordinating Board.
Relay for Life – Rotarians serve on a team to raise money for cancer research. Members solicit support from local businesses and actually participate in activities in support of cancer survivors.
Rotary Friendship Exchange - Rotarians provide support of this international program by participating in the program, serving as hosts for visiting foreign Rotarians and coordinating the program for Rotary District 6200.
St Landry Parish Crimestoppers – Four members of our club serve on the Board of Directors of the St. Landry Parish Crimestoppers and one member serves as Chairman of the Board.
Foreign Relief & Aid– The club has provided financial donations and has joined with other clubs of District 6200 to provide support for a water well for Haiti after it was devastated by a major earthquake. A donation was also made to the medical clinic of Dr. Cross, for medical supplies for Haiti’s earthquake victims.
Pelican Boys and Girls State – The club provides funds in support of the annual Pelican Boys and Girls State, a program for development of leadership qualities in students selected to attend.
Future Business Leaders of America – The club provides funds in support of travel for selected FBLA students of Beau Chene High School to attend the national meeting.
Opelousas Hill House – The club provided support for this youth mentoring and tutoring effort operating in the low income area known as “The Hill” in Opelousas.
Interact - The Club sponsors St. Landry Interact Club.
“Fiddlemania” – Our club joined with the noon Opelousas Rotary Club to support the arts and tourism by funding the creation of a unique “Opelousas Yellow Catfish” fiddle replica which is currently on display at the courthouse.
Books for School Libraries – Rotary provided books and our members collected the books for St. Landry Parish School Libraries.
Paint the Town Pink – Financial support of breast cancer awareness educational activities in our community.
Westminster Christian Academy Mission Team – Financial support of the students' foreign service missions.
Boys & Girls Club of St. Landry Parish - Financial support for the construction of wall "cubbies" for the storage of the children's book sacks.
Arbor Day in Louisiana - Financial support for the City of Opelousas' participation in Arbor Day tree planting.
Opelousas Lighthouse Mission - Financial support for the construction of a chapel.
The St. Landry Parish Veterans’ Memorial – Financial support for the construction of a memorial park to honor St. Landry Parish veterans.
Club fund raising projects:
Duathlon – The club sponsors the Louisiana State Duathlon annually. The race attracts 150–200 participants annually and promotes tourism for our city.
LSU Football Pool – The club conducts a football pool covering 10 LSU football games.
