Past Events

Beer Tasting Fundraiser
Our Beer and Cider Tasting Fundraiser was January 19th, 7- 8:30 PM at the Corner Brewery (now Arbor Brewing Company) at 720 Norris Street in Ypsilanti.  People who like beer will love this opportunity to try 5 different brews in a party atmosphere!
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Volunteering at Detroit Windsor International Marathon, 2022
Our District Governor Bala Murthy is a runner who has run in the Detroit /Windsor Marathon in the past.  This year, he chose the joy of service over the joy of running, and recruited Rotary Volunteers in support of the Marathon hydration stations.
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YCS Resiliency Center Hygiene Project
The Rotary Club of Ypsilanti is excited to announce its new community service project for 2022 year!  Each year the club writes a grant for a project focused on the education system, students, and families in the community we serve.  
This year we have chosen the Ypsilanti Community Schools Resiliency Center, which needs a room makeover for their hygiene closet plus a space where families can come and feel welcome while receiving needed services and counseling.  The center has been open for two years.  This project aims to provide the center with a persistent surplus of lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoos, conditioner, plus feminine products for girls and women.  
The Rotary Club has three community partners working to make this project come to fruition.  The Ypsilanti Community Schools Foundation; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Rho Delta Zeta Chapter; and I Support The Girls have all come together to manage the logistics and help raise money for the initiative.
We are asking small businesses and organizations in the community to donate at the following levels of $150, $250, and $500 plus have a hygiene collection drive and fill one box with product twice a year.  The monetary donation will help in our fundraising efforts to renovate a room, but the products most importantly will be given to families immediately.
In this partnership, you will receive recognition on signage, marketing materials, plus an opportunity to help families in need.  Each donation is tax-deductible and managed through the Ypsilanti Rotary Club Foundation.
We are asking for your commitment of support by March 1, 2022.  Each organization will then receive its box to help solicit donations and return products by April 25, 2022.  The goal of the Rotary Club is to complete the renovations of the project by May 2022.
YCS resiliency Center Website!
Summer Cleanup at the RAC - 2022
Another year cleaning up and maintaining the Riverside Arts Center garden!
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Spring Clean up at the Riverside Arts Center- 2021
The Rotary Club and many volunteers worked to clean up the Riverside Arts Center while also maintaining social distancing!
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The YCS Art Project
Ypsilanti Community Schools (YCS) students were given an extraordinary opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the United States Department of Education in Washington, D.C. in May 2020, however, plans were derailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This opportunity would have allotted for over 50 students to be the first district in Michigan to be invited and have the art viewed by politicians and visitors.
The YCS Art Department and Administration felt it was essential to have the artwork displayed, so the district, along with local partners, has worked tirelessly to have banners in the city of Ypsilanti reflect the works of art around the theme of diversity, equity, and justice. These three core tenets directly reflect the YCS mission statement and the district's talented art department, students, and teachers.
The original exhibit, titled Public Education, raised close to $50,000 from local organizations, families, and community members moved by the students' voice through art. The money raised was repurposed for the banner project with donors' permission, whose dedicated support for the students’ art and the district is appreciated. The banners also help bring attention to Youth Art Month, which happens in March.
The Ypsilanti Rotary Club was a prominent supporter of the Washington D.C. trip. The funds raised by the club supported the printing and installation of the banners.
Check out the article here!
Colonial Williamsburg Speaking Engagement
Taryn Reid Willis, the President of the Ypsilanti Rotary Club, shares her family history with the Colonial Williamsburg Rotary Club plus her summers in Colonial Williamsburg as a kid.
Check out the full video here!
Black History Month Series: A Reflection of Ypsi and African American Families
Feel free to watch our recorded event in collaboration with Ypsilanti Schools! Our guests were Mayor Lois Richardson and Dr. Alford Young Jr.
See the Video Here
Spring Clean up and Planting
Our volunteers worked to clean up our local park!
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Pancake Breakfasts
With our volunteers, we join with the community to eat a great breakfast and collect donations for our causes!
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Wine Tasting Fundraiser
 

This was a fundraiser to send our YCS art students to Washington DC for the opening night of their art show at the Department of Education! Congratulations again to out YCS youth!

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