Club History

Rotary Founder Paul Harris 1933 Rotary International Speech

The Lodi Sunrise Rotary Club was chartered on June 16, 1987. In recent years, club membership has typically averaged 30 to 40 members.

The club hosts numerous community service events, including two major fundraisers.

The Sunrise Century is a bicycle touring event featuring a 50k, 100k and 100 mile bicycle course throughout the Mokelumne River Recreation and the Wine Country surrounding Lodi, California. The event attracts hundreds of participants each year. Corporate Sponsorships and entry fees go towards supporting local youth and community projects.

A second event, a Booth at the annual Lodi Grape Festival, contributes to the clubs fundraising objectives. In 1999, the club hosted a Micro-Brewery in the festival's karaoke and beer garden.

The club has also donated time, resources and funds to improve other things in the community. In 1999, the club helped paint and prepare the Woodbridge Wildlife Preserve buildings for the annual Sandhill Crane Festival. Over 1,500 people enjoy this family-oriented event each year. The preserve provides over 60 guided field trips, 20 workshops and family programs, a crane art exhibition of local and international youth, videos, exhibits (including the hands-on "Cranium"), live bats and birds of prey demonstrations, and origami. There is even a new, giant crane maze simulating their migration, threats and our efforts to protect them.

Other projects are being planned including a community home-painting project, and a "bikes for kids" campaign.