Events

About CES

Augustana Lutheran Church and Community Emergency Service (CES) share a long history of service in Minneapolis. Over 50 years ago, Augustana founded CES as one of the first downtown food shelves. Today, CES operates as its own organization but remains closely tied to Augustana, sharing space and a joint commitment to serving neighbors with dignity, compassion, and care.

One way this mission comes to life is through monthly Community Dinners, which bring neighbors together for a free meal and fellowship. Our Rotary Club will be volunteering at the October dinner—one of the first to be hosted indoors again after a summer of cookouts!

Website for more details on CES:https://cesmn.org/about-us/ 

What to Expect

Volunteers help make the evening a warm, welcoming, and smooth experience for our neighbors. Tasks include:

• Set-Up (4:30 – 5:15 PM)
  Arrange tables and chairs, set up serving stations, receive and prepare food.

• Greeting & Serving (5:00 – 6:30 PM)
  Welcome guests, serve meals, and offer hospitality.

• Connection & Conversation
  Sit with neighbors, share stories, and engage in meaningful conversation. (This relational aspect is as important as the food!)

• Clean-Up (6:30 – 7:30 PM)
  Wipe tables, stack chairs, manage leftover food, and take out garbage/recycling.

We need 6–8 Rotarians present at all times between 4:30 and 7:30 PM.

Volunteer Notes

• Full participation is ideal, but if you can only attend part of the time, please contact Nikki directly (nikki@hilotalent.com) so we can ensure coverage, especially during set-up and take-down.

• No special skills are required—just a willingness to pitch in and connect with others.

• Expect some flexibility—dinners adapt to space and turnout needs.

Why This Matters

This is more than serving dinner. It’s about strengthening community, building relationships, and showing up for neighbors in a way that reflects the Rotary spirit of Service Above Self.

Please RSVP by October 17th

Join your fellow Rotary Club of Edina members and guests for an evening of great conversation, stronger friendships and connections at our Fireside Chat hosted by Catherine Gump. Fireside chats are a casual and smaller gathering of like-minded Rotarians who get to spend an evening getitng to know each other better outside of our weekly meetings. Thank you to Catherine and Tom for hosting!

When: Wednesday, October 29, 6 to 8 pm

Where: Catherine and Tom Gump's Home, 4703 Sunnyside Rd, Edina 55424

Are YOU interested in being a Fireside Chat Host? We are still looking for hosts for Fall 2025! If you are interested, please reach out to Julie Westbrock at jwestbrock@trustpointinc.com

The Rotary Club of Edina’s Youth Service Committee seeks volunteers for its third-grade literacy project. Read below for school location and volunteer details. 

As part of the project, Rotarians read the book Andy & Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure to local students and discuss ethics with them. Andy & Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure is the story of a young entrepreneur who starts an apple dumpling business. With the guidance of a mysterious voice conveying the Four-Way Test, he turns his venture into a wonderful success and makes friends along the way.

The book was jointly published by the Rotary Club of Fairborn, Ohio, and TokoBooks and is now the center of a literacy project for Rotary clubs across the country.
 
Rotarian volunteers are needed to read the book to classes and distribute copies of the book to students. The reading will be at Creek Valley Elementary School, 6401 Gleason Road, Edina. Eight volunteers are needed to read to four classrooms. (One volunteer will read and the other will hand out copies of the book and help answer questions.)  Register below to volunteer. Plan to arrive before 1:15 pm to allow time for check-in and finding the classroom.

For more information, contact Jennifer Bennerotte, jbennerotte@EdinaRotary.org or 952-833-9520.

Join your fellow Rotary Club of Edina members and guests for an evening of great conversation, stronger friendships and connections at our Fireside Chat hosted by Lisa Walker. Fireside chats are a casual and smaller gathering of like-minded Rotarians who get to spend an evening getitng to know each other better outside of our weekly meetings. Thank you to Lisa and Gage for hosting!

Are YOU interested in being a Fireside Chat Host? We are still looking for hosts for Fall 2025! If you are interested, please reach out to Julie Westbrock at jwestbrock@trustpointinc.com

Camp Enterprise is a three-day camp for high school juniors and seniors designed to introduce students to the free enterprise system and encourage entrepreneurship and ethical business practices. The experience is often life changing.
​
Each year, at least five (5) $1,000 higher education scholarships are awarded to students of exceptional merit. In total, Camp Enterprise has awarded more than $85,000 in scholarships since its inception.

Visit www.campenterprise.org for complete Rotary club and student registration information. 

Contact Rotary Club of Edina, Brent Lundell, brent@brent-lundell.com

Contact Edina Morningside Rotary Club, Michael Birdman, camperotary@gmail.com

Join your fellow Rotary Club of Edina members and guests for an evening of great conversation, stronger friendships and connections at our Fireside Chat hosted by Paul Mooty. Fireside chats are a casual and smaller gathering of like-minded Rotarians who get to spend an evening getitng to know each other better outside of our weekly meetings. Thank you to Paul and Jean for hosting!

Are YOU interested in being a Fireside Chat Host? We are still looking for hosts for Fall 2025! If you are interested, please reach out to Julie Westbrock at jwestbrock@trustpointinc.com

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING BASKET DELIVERY- TEAMS NEEDED -

SIGN UP BY Friday, November 21

On Wednesday, November 26th members of the Rotary Club of Edina, along with members of the Edina Morningside Rotary Club, will pack baskets and deliver Thanksgiving meals to families in need throughout the Twin Cities region. A roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberries, potatoes and gravy along with vegetables, oranges, even a delicious pie, make their way to area homes via active Rotarians and their families. With warm knit mittens and hats to help with the coming winter, these Thanksgiving Baskets bring some brightness and joy into the holiday season.

PLAN and REGISTER FOR THE 2025 EVENT

• PICK YOUR TEAM’S ASSEMBLY and DELIVERY TIME HERE
• VOLUNTEER AS A TEAM. Use one TEAM member name HERE to signup the group who will assembly and/or delivery up to 3 baskets.
• LUNCH - If you and your group are joining us for lunch. Sign up yourself and add the names of guests HERE. Morningside members will be charged to your club. $27 ea adult/$16 ea child

DAY OF EVENT DETAILS:

• WHAT: Thanksgiving Basket Preparation and Delivery (80 baskets total - 2 to 3 baskets per team).
• WHERE: Assembly at the Edina Country Club; home delivery throughout Twin Cities Area
• WHEN: Wednesday, November 26th
• TIME: Doors and lunch open at 11:30 a.m. Basket and assembly is Noon to 1:30 or until last basket is out the door.
• WHO: Members and families of the Rotary Club of Edina and the Edina Morningside Rotary Club
• LUNCH COST: Guests of members is $27 per adult and $16 per child 16 and under.

80 Baskets total to be delivered by up to 20 teams from Edina Rotary and 9 teams from Edina Morningside.

DETAILS:

Buffet style soup and sandwich lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. with a short meeting during food service. Afterwards, we'll assemble the Thanksgiving baskets for area families in need. Volunteers are being requested for the basket assembly and deliveries. We are asking all Rotarians and guests who plan to attend to register by Friday, November 21 so we can plan for the luncheon and basket assembly/delivery. Please make sure to register all your guest names.and note in the comments when you register if you are signing up to assemble and deliver baskets or you and your guests are just joining us for lunch. Please let us know if you have a preference for who you would like to join you in delivering baskets. You can also contact Tom Cook or Mary Hustad with questions or special requests. 

There is no Noon meeting on Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, so this counts as the official Rotary meeting for that week. Rotarians with regular memberships do not have to pay for lunch at the door. EMRC members, senior active or honorary members will be billed and guests will be charged to the Rotary member $27 for adults, $16 for children under 16. 

Join us for this wonderful event that allows you to give back to those in need during the holidays, and spend time with your fellow Rotarians, family and friends! We'll see you there!

BASKET CONTENTS

Bridging empowers people to thrive in their homes by providing quality furniture and household goods for those pursuing housing stability.

When and where?

Date: Tuesday, December 2nd

Time: 3PM-6PM

Volunteers: 5-25

Location: Bridging- Bloomington 201 W. 87th St. Bloomington, MN 55420

What will we be doing?

• We’ll kick it off with a quick welcome.

• Then we will tour the warehouse and tasks for the afternoon.

What to bring:

• You should dress comfortably and in clothing that can get dusty.

• Comfortable, close-toed shoes (required).

• Donations: Bring a bag, box, or a carload (optional)! Look here for items we accept.

Additional information about Bridging is available on our https://www.bridging.org/.

Thank you for supporting this mission with your incredible gift of time and talents! Please let us know if you have any questions or requests for accommodation.

Please share with friends and family and RSVP by November 30th!

You're invited to a casual meeting to discuss and explore service ideas that will serve to enhance our outreach experience within Rotary's core ideals and principals. 

We will be meeting at Lisa Walker's home, 7719 Marth Court, Edina MN 55435 on Monday, December 8 from 6 to 8 pm and look forward to seeing you there.

Join us for an afternoon of pickleball and happy hour. If you are new to pickleball, there will be a pickleball pro available for instruction. Four courts will be available for pickleball play and lessons. Prizes will be awarded!  Stay for happy hour to celebrate our winners and enjoy the company of your fellow Rotarians.

Pickleball from 3:00-5:00 PM and happy hour from 5:00-7:00 PM.

Registration fee: $20

Bridging empowers people to thrive in their homes by providing quality furniture and household goods for those pursuing housing stability.

When and where?

Date: Tuesday, February 3rd

Time: 3PM-6PM

Volunteers: 10-25

Location: Bridging- Bloomington 201 W. 87th St. Bloomington, MN 55420

**Family & Friends welcome!  Must be 14 years old to participate.

What will we be doing?

• Assembling 10 dressers in teams

• We will take a brief tour of the facility, hear more about the organization and how they serve their clients

What to bring:

• You should dress comfortably and in clothing that can get dusty.

• Comfortable, close-toed shoes (required).

• Donations: Bring a bag, box, or a carload (optional)! Look here for items we accept.

Additional information about Bridging is available on our https://www.bridging.org/.

Thank you for supporting this mission with your incredible gift of time and talents! Please let us know if you have any questions or requests for accommodation.

Please share with friends and family and RSVP by January 31st!

Celebrate friendship, connection, and a little fun at our Galentine’s Gathering for Women in Rotary! 

Join us for a relaxed evening at the home of our Club President, Lisa Walker, filled with great conversation, laughter, and camaraderie as we celebrate the incredible women of our club. Enjoy light bites, drinks, and meaningful connection in a warm, welcoming setting.

Enjoy and evening of Bingo and potentially win some fabulous prizes! Heavy appetizers will be available to enjoy during the games. This is a 21+ event with a full service CASH ONLY bar. 

Bring a spouse, bring a friend, bring a stranger and introduce them to Rotary.  No need to bring anything else other than a strong voice to call out "bingo!" and winning attitude. 

Games from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Doors open at 5:30 PM. 

About CES

Augustana Lutheran Church and Community Emergency Service (CES) share a long history of service in Minneapolis. Over 50 years ago, Augustana founded CES as one of the first downtown food shelves. Today, CES operates as its own organization but remains closely tied to Augustana, sharing space and a joint commitment to serving neighbors with dignity, compassion, and care.

One way this mission comes to life is through monthly Community Dinners, which bring neighbors together for a free meal and fellowship. Our Rotary Club will be volunteering at the April 8th dinner—one of the first to be hosted indoors again after a summer of cookouts!

Website for more details on CES:https://cesmn.org/about-us/ 

What to Expect

Volunteers help make the evening a warm, welcoming, and smooth experience for our neighbors. Tasks include:

• Set-Up (4:45 – 5:30 PM)
  Arrange tables and chairs, set up serving stations, receive and prepare food.

• Greeting & Serving (5:00 – 6:30 PM)
  Welcome guests, serve meals, and offer hospitality.

• Connection & Conversation
  Sit with neighbors, share stories, and engage in meaningful conversation. (This relational aspect is as important as the food!)

• Clean-Up (6:30 – 7:30 PM)
  Wipe tables, stack chairs, manage leftover food, and take out garbage/recycling.

We need 6–8 Rotarians present at all times between 4:45 and 7:30 PM.

Volunteer Notes

• Full participation is ideal, but if you can only attend part of the time, please contact Don Hutchison directly (d.hutchison50@outlook.com) so we can ensure coverage, especially during set-up and take-down.

• No special skills are required—just a willingness to pitch in and connect with others.

• Expect some flexibility—dinners adapt to space and turnout needs.

Why This Matters

This is more than serving dinner. It’s about strengthening community, building relationships, and showing up for neighbors in a way that reflects the Rotary spirit of Service Above Self.

Please RSVP by April 5th