Perspectives

Gary Van Domelen Receives Rotary Honor

Gary Van Domelen was awarded a special honor tonight when he became a member of the Rotary Works Foundation Legacy Club. This special award is given by the eight Rotary Clubs in the Southwestern Wisconsin and Southeastern Minnesota areas, for distinguished public service to the community. Gary was recognized for his work in helping create the area Foundation and his role as president during the 2011-12 Rotary fiscal year. In honor of this award, the Foundation  donated $1,000 in Gary’s name to the Foundation’s permanent endowment fund. The Rotary Works Foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity that donates money to local and international charitable causes, with a focus on children and education. This past year, the Foundation has donated nearly $35,000 to various projects, including funding a grant to the Feed the Kids Program which was co-sponsored by Kate Gorman (Miss Wisconsin 2012) and the Salvation Army. That program served approximately 28,500 noon meals to area children who would otherwise qualify for subsidized lunch programs during the school year. Gary has been a Rotarian since 2004, and is the former president of the Rotary Club of LaCrosse-East.