Events

As a proud co-sponsor of Edina’s annual State of the Community, our club has an opportunity—and a goal—to show up strong this year. We’re aiming to have at least 20 Rotarians in attendance, and I hope you’ll be one of them. Registration deadline, Friday, April 3rd.

Join us on Monday, April 20 at Braemar Golf Course for this important community event featuring Mayor Jim Hovland and Edina Public Schools Superintendent Dan Bittman. Together, they’ll share updates on key initiatives shaping Edina’s future, including redevelopment and park projects, public safety, tree preservation and school district priorities.

This event is a great way to stay informed, connect with fellow community leaders and demonstrate Rotary’s ongoing commitment to service and partnership in Edina.

Event Details:

• Date: Monday, April 20
• Location: Braemar Golf Course
• Time: Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; program begins at noon
• Cost: $35 (includes lunch)

Please register by Friday, April 3 at EdinaMN.gov/SOTC and select your meal preference.

Good in the ‘Hood is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives with simple acts of kindness and is committed to serving those in need.

Join in our first Rotary Club of Edina Shoe Sorting event on April 22 from 12pm-3pm at their facility in Plymouth, 15400 28^th Avenue North.  We will be sorting shoes (Good, Great, Grind) for Good in the ‘Hood to provide to those who may not otherwise be able to purchase quality footwear.  Park in the back of the building and look for the Good in the ‘Hood  Shoe Away Hunger warehouse.

Please empty your closets of new or gently used footwear, including sneakers, casual shoes, winter boots, sandals, and heels, and ask your friends and relatives to empty theirs and bring them to sort during our Shoe Sorting event.  Tie or band them together to avoid “shoe orphans”.

Website: https://www.goodinthehood.org/

Video Links for more details:

https://vimeo.com/53606534 

https://vimeo.com/713955996

https://vimeo.com/713955889

Please invite a friend and find a carpool buddy to make things easier.

-Community Service Committee

• Jamie Dolynchuk is Canadian!  He joined Cargill in 1994 as their General Counsel in Canada, and then ran Cargill businesses around the world for three decades.  
• Jamie led businesses and lived with his family in Russia, Ukraine, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka, eventually coming back to Minneapolis to lead M&A for Cargill’s animal nutrition and health enterprise.
• In 2024, Jamie retired from Cargill after 30 years and now leads Community Emergency Service, one of the largest food non profits in the poorest community of the Twin Cities.
• Jamie is married and he and his wife have two children, Ella who lives in New York City and is in performing arts and Mitch who graduates from college this spring and will pursue his masters degree in the fall.  

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 Rich Kleber. 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 Rich and Elizabeth for hosting!

When: Tuesday, April 28, 5:30-7:30 pm

Where: Rich & Elizabeth Kleber's Home, 7133 Shannon Drive, Edina 55435

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

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

When and where?

Date: Wednesday, May 6th

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 April 30th!

Celebrate friendship, connection, and a little fun at our Cindo de Mayo 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.

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 Geetu Sharma. 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 Geetu and Pankaj for hosting!

When: Thursday, May 20, 6 to 8 pm

Where: Geetu & Pankaj Sharma's Home, 5016 Kelsey Terrace, Edina 

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

Sign up today to help Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) serve the hungry in our community! Volunteers welcome participants to the VEAP pantry, explain the process and respond to participant questions, keep the shopping area clean and tidy, sort through food donations, stock shelves, load groceries into vehicles and overall help VEAP promote a positive shopping experience for participants. VEAP staff explain the process before every volunteer shift in the pantry.

What makes a successful group volunteer?

1. Compassion: VEAP supports and cares for each other while always remembering to respect the inherent dignity of all people in our community. VEAP participants use services for a variety of reasons, and they expect all volunteers to interact with respect and to withhold judgment.
2. Flexibility: VEAP appreciates your willingness to jump in and help with tasks that may arise throughout your volunteer experience. VEAP staff will provide you with direction and support throughout your shift. In addition, not all activities are glamorous, but all roles are essential to providing access to healthy food for our neighbors.
3. Teamwork: VEAP welcomes all people to join them and relies on volunteers to work collaboratively to fulfill its mission. You may work alongside a fellow volunteer who is a retiree, a working professional, a teenager, a person seeking work experience and more!
4. Positive attitude: VEAP welcomes positivity; it will serve to motivate and energize your fellow volunteers.
5. Punctuality: Please arrive on time. VEAP relies on your volunteer service to operate and appreciates your full engagement throughout your time!

2026 Dates:

Wednesday, June 3 / 2:15 pm to 5:15 pm

Tuesday, August 4 / 2:15 pm to 5:15 pm

Tuesday, October 6 / 2:15 pm to 5:15 pm

Tuesday, December 1 / 2:15 pm to 5:15 pm

For more information, contact Past President Jennifer Bennerotte, 612-201-3467 or jbennerotte@EdinaRotary.org.