The Rotary Club of Topeka

The Rotary Club of Topeka We meet Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Most weeks at Kay's Garden at the Topeka Zoo, check website for current meeting information and location (topekarotary.org)

2021-2022 Club Executives & Directors

President: Marie Pyko
President Elect: Steve Knoll
Vice President (Program Chair): Vince Frye
Secretary: Colleen Jamison
Treasurer: Debra Ricks
Sergeant-at-Arms: Bob Clawson
Past-President: Stan Martindell
Topeka Rotary Foundation President: Joan Wagnon
The Rotary International Foundation: Roger Aeschliman
Director: Allison Marker
Director: Karen Streeter
Dir

ector: Zach Ahrens
Director Community Service Chair: Jannett Wiens
Director- Social Justice: Glenda DuBoise
Director: Cody Fredrickson
Director: Colleen Jamison
Director- Youth Services: Lee Morris
District Grant Chair: Karen Streeter
Fellowship: Allison Marker
Community Service, Covered in Coats: Cody Fredrickson
Community Service RRR: Steve Knoll

What a great meeting last Thursday! It was an important cause -- helping to fill Hygiene Packs for Blessing Boxes in Top...
09/01/2026

What a great meeting last Thursday! It was an important cause -- helping to fill Hygiene Packs for Blessing Boxes in Topeka plus it was a lot of fun to fill the packs!

Leanna opened the meeting as usual with a lovely Rotary positive thought for the day and then asked the group question: What have you down lately to Pay it Forward? Pat, Kade and Grace had excellent responses.

Stephanie introduced the program: Stephanie Miller and Debbie Dick operate 63 Blessing boxes around Topeka. The individual, groups, neighbors and friends work together to fill along with help from Debbie and Stephanie. If you are interested in contributing or getting more information the Website is Blessing.org and all money goes to food.

Lee and Susan were Greeters and Helen Van Etten was introduced as a new member. Carol Christensen was a a welcome guest who came to help fill the Hygiene Bags.

All of the members filled the bags from items placed on a very long table and kept going through the line till all the ingredients were in bags! The Club filled 192 bags -- Whoopee!!

Lee's wonderful Veggies (particularly beautiful tomatoes) were a treat for members.

08/31/2026

Special Bulletin!

On Thursday our Club filled 192 Hygiene Kits for Blessing Boxes! A great cause and a lot of fun!! Thanks Stephanie!!

We were thrilled to have Cheri Faunce, Executive Director of the YWCA Northeast Kansas join us to share updates on the i...
08/20/2026

We were thrilled to have Cheri Faunce, Executive Director of the YWCA Northeast Kansas join us to share updates on the incredible progress they’ve made in our community, including exciting developments at their main campus. We also welcomed a number of great guests today and hope to see them back at future meetings!

📢 Reminder: Next week during our regular meeting we’re teaming up with Bee The Blessing for our service project to assemble hygiene kits to be distributed throughout our community — mark your calendars and plan to join us!

💬 Connection Question of the Day: “What’s something you’ve always wanted to try, but haven’t yet?” We got some fantastic answers from Lee and Ashley — and shoutout to Lauren, who’s got her eye on roller derby! 🛼

Thanks to everyone who came out today. See you next week!

🎉 Great meeting today at Rotary!We had some wonderful guests join us and hope to welcome them back for future meetings!B...
08/13/2026

🎉 Great meeting today at Rotary!

We had some wonderful guests join us and hope to welcome them back for future meetings!

Be the Blessing Service Project Update: Stephanie shared details on our upcoming service project on August 27. We’re collecting donations through August 20, and we’d love for you to join us at the August 27 meeting to help make this project a success!

Community Spotlight: We also had a fantastic presentation from Pam Evans of Astra Mental Health and Recovery, who shared updates on their services and the vital mental health support they provide to our community. Such important, much-needed work — thank you, Pam!

Thanks to everyone who came out today. See you next week!

Thanks to my First Class Friend and sub Vince for another great job!!Zach was the Speaker and Spoke about the Capper Fou...
08/11/2026

Thanks to my First Class Friend and sub Vince for another great job!!

Zach was the Speaker and Spoke about the Capper Foundation and Dialogue Coffee places! He also highlighted the long connection between Capper's past executive directors and their ties to Rotary.

Scott was introduced as the new Chairman of the Foundation.

Leanna presented an award to Elaine for all she has accomplished for Rotary and Elaine thanked the Club for their kindness after the death of her husband.

Wayne introduced Ben and Blake who will be the new Leaders for Community Services.

Stephanie spoke about businesses raising money for Capper. She also mentioned a Rotary Work Session in August to fill personal hygiene packs.

Joanie, Bill, and Alicia all told about their last vacation and what made it special.

Dee. Larry and Lynette were all family guests of David Beck.

Andrew Forman is a guest and lawyer at the Topeka branch of the Foulston Firm.

Doreen Rice is a guest and is Priest at St. St. Davids Episcopal Church. She was also a member and officer of the Junction City Rotary Club.

Many of the Happy Faces of the Club enjoying the social at the Blue Moose Last Night! Great Food and Great Company -- T...
07/30/2026

Many of the Happy Faces of the Club enjoying the social at the Blue Moose Last Night! Great Food and Great Company -- THANKS STEPHANIE!!!!

Notice: our 5th Thursday Social is tomorrow at 4:30 At The Blue Moose!President Leanna opened the meeting with a particu...
07/28/2026

Notice: our 5th Thursday Social is tomorrow at 4:30 At The Blue Moose!

President Leanna opened the meeting with a particularly meaningful statement -- something she excels at doing!

The Program was presented by Sharon Sullivan, an adjunct Instructor of Political Science at Washburn University and a member of the South Club's special group on Human Trafficking. She is extremely well versed on the subject in addition to being passionate about everything connected with it.If you missed the meeting I hope you hear hear her speak in another venue. Her depth of know is staggering and she is knowledgeable about conditions here in Topeka that we may not understand.

As frightening as some of the information is, there are things as citizens were need to learn about to see if we can help protect vulnerable populations.

Steve Knoll made a very exciting personal Fun Bucks Announcement: His 17 year old granddaughter in Denver had 4 Scholastic Gold Key Awards for her Art. Three of them received
Gold Medals at National Competition and one is now hanging in Carnegie Hall. In addition she had a perfect score on the PSAT and a SAT score if 1560. Wow Steve! Good Genes,

Four members answered Leanna's new and very popular "question of the day": Kade Meyer a new member, Wayne Pancoast, Blake Sutton and Vince Frye! They did a great job.

Scott brought a guest -- Charles Steinkuehler. Chelsey Godinez brought Craig "Coach" Friedrichsen as her guest.

Thanks for the excellent job Vice Frye did subbing for me at the last minute! I really appreciated that Vince!Dr. Elena ...
07/22/2026

Thanks for the excellent job Vice Frye did subbing for me at the last minute! I really appreciated that Vince!

Dr. Elena Cloete with Outreach International was out Speaker

Karen Hiller spoke about Topeka United

Vince Frye shared the exciting news that his Grandaughter won the U13 Soccer National Championship and the Golden Glove as the outstanding Goalie of the Tournament! Vince that is a truly OUTSTANDING accomplishment!!!! Congratulations to her and her whole family

Scott Teeter takes about the Grand Opening of the Morris Family Tiger Exhibit at the Topeka Zoo

Congratulations and a huge thank you to our Bette Morris!

Tracey Schnacker answered the weekly question of "What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?"

Alicia VanWellinghem also answered the weekly question

An eye opening look into the tasks completed by Vicki Schmidt Schmidt as Insurance Commissioner! and many other exciting...
07/16/2026

An eye opening look into the tasks completed by Vicki Schmidt Schmidt as Insurance Commissioner! and many other exciting offerings like our very own Ecology Rapper former known as Steve Knoll. More to follow in the next few days -- I had an unexpected visit to Stormont to deal with my Acquaintance Afib and fell behind!

I mentioned Robert Nelson the expert on James Lane of the Lane Trail in Kansas who was a famous Abolitionist. Mr. Nelson...
07/07/2026

I mentioned Robert Nelson the expert on James Lane of the Lane Trail in Kansas who was a famous Abolitionist. Mr. Nelson is from Virginia and was a guest last week of Grant Glenn. It was a pleasure to have him in our group. I mentioned him in the story of the meeting put did not get his photo in the group of photos!

Address

225 SW 12th
Topeka, KS
66607

Opening Hours

10am - 11:15am

Telephone

(785) 232-7216

Website

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