Local Projects
How We Support Our Local Community
Rotary unites people to strengthen communities, recognizing that supporting one another is essential to building a better future
Imagination Library
This program provides free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, fostering early literacy and a lifelong love of reading
Fall Leaf Raking
Each Fall, our volunteers give a hand (and a rake) to assist members of the community with their annual yard clean-up
Humanity Alliance
Restoring love and dignity to our most vulnerable community members by providing essential needs including housing and food
Much More!
We support many other programs in the community including tree planting, food insecurity, helping young mothers and others
Imagination Library
The Rotary Club of Chanhassen is a proud founding partner of the SouthWest Metro Imagination Library, a local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Our club helps support and fund this initiative, which now serves families in Chanhassen, Chaska, Carver, Victoria, Excelsior, Waconia and Hamburg. It's one of the ways we put "Service Above Self" into action and invest in a brighter future for our youngest learners.
Mission
Started by Dolly Parton in 1995, the Imagination Library was focused on fostering a love of reading for young children by receiving high-quality and age appropriate books regardless of a family's ability to afford them
Program
Once enrolled, children receive a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail every month until their 5th birthday.
Our Rotary Club proudly helps connect local families to this valuable resource.
Humanity Alliance
By repurposing the excesses of our community, our innovative approach rapidly transforms how those in poverty receive nutritious weekend meals and housing with dignity. By serving with a spirit of genuine hospitality, born of love, we are changing lives today. With amazing stories and facts, we have proven that love works.
We restore love and dignity through their Weekend Meal Program and Unite Lodge Program
Tree Planting
Beautifying Chanhassen!
Volunteers from Chanhassen Rotary planted 28 potted hardwood trees along highway 101 and Lyman Boulevard. This is the club’s third year of planting trees along this stretch of highway. The objective is to create a scenic wooded corridor from Chanhassen’s southern border to the downtown area.
The species of trees planted include sugar maples, hackberries, American linden and three varieties of oak. The cost of the trees was split between the City of Chanhassen and Chanhassen Rotary.
As you drive south on #101, look to your right!
His House Foundation
Chanhassen Rotary’s Outreachers Committee had fun recently and made 200 sandwiches to be distributed to those in need in Carver County by Martha from His House Foundation
Strive Blankets
STRIVE students and mentors created these beautiful blankets to support Hope House Emergency Youth Shelter residents. We are proud of these students as they give back to their community.
Love INC
Love INC gives hope to families in need, who are identified by local churches and social service agencies. One of their programs is "Bunk Bed Ministry" which is a volunteer-based program that provide safe, sturdy beds for children and families that do not have a proper place to sleep. The goal is to give kids a sense of dignity, comfort and rest with these beds often being the first they have had.
Volunteer
We have several on-time or ongoing roles to align with when and how you want to contribute your time including:
- Student Mentoring
- Event Support and Planning
- Skill-Based
Donate
Give to a specific program or to the general support fund to allow the rotary to support and improve the community
Become a Member
There are many benefits to joining, but you also get to support the community by creating a larger, more connected group