Home Page | Gateway Rotary Club

Gateway Rotary Club members are community leaders in Thurston County ranging across all sectors of business from nonprofit to higher education, real estate to finance. The club meets weekly to discuss community service projects and events, network amongst each other, and learn from industry leaders on community-specific news. Gateway Rotary provides members an opportunity to get involved through both local and worldwide service efforts.

Mailing Address:
1401 Marvin Road NE
Suite 307, PMB 404
Lacey WA 98516

Club Presidents and Award History

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Aug 28, 2021

Rotary Club of Gateway – Thurston County

Club Presidents and Award History

Year	Club Presidents	President’s Award	Rotarian of the Year	Service Above Self	Tom & Jerry Award
2011-2012	Tom Carroll	Mike Robbins	Jerry Wilkins	Joan Keller	Jerry Farmer
2012-2013	Tom Carroll	Lowell Gordon	Al Eckroth	Angelique Anderson	Tom Carroll
2013-2014	Mike Beehler	Amanda Carroll	Joel Birchman	Martin McElliott	Andrew Barkis
2014-2015	Jonathan Sprouffske	Doug Mah	Kim Bauman	Graeme Sackrison	Martin McElliott
2015-2016	Jerry Farmer	Jonathan Sprouffske	Janine Ezzell	Mike Bell	Tim Braniff
2016-2017	Eric Rowe	Kathleen Thomas	Doug Mah	Jerry Wilkins	Patrick Davidson
2017-2018	Jeff Ott		Laurie Carroll		Lowell Gordon
2018-2019	Kim Bauman	Nate Peters	Mike Jones	Troy Kirby & Nathan Mcgee	Jim Mack
2019-2020	Len Faucher	Crystal Zabala & Bill McGregor	Tom Carroll	Megan Schoor	Madelin White
2020-2021	Janine Ezzell	Megan Schoor	Mike Leonard	Mike Jones	Len Faucher
2021-2022	Amanda Vey

Distinguished Service Award (New 2021)

2021 Jerry Wilkins

Spirit of Service Award (New 2021)

2021 Nita Sell

Four-Way Test Award (New 2021)

2021 Sylvia Davenport &

Marnee Obendorff

Honorary Gateway Rotarian (New 2021)

Bill McGreagor

BBB Sponsorships

Posted by Edward Schlich on Jul 15, 2021

A year has slipped away from us due to COVID. Gateway Rotary was not able to host 'BBB' {BRATS BREWS & BANDS} our annual fundraiser last year. But we are on for this year and the date is set at September 11, 2021.

We are writing to ask you for your sponsorship support this year: NOW! Please. And thank you for your support in the past@! Any investment made in BBB & Gateway Rotary was invested straight back into the community. Can we count on your support for this year?

Displayed is the updated 2021 BBB Sponsorship form outlining the various sponsorship levels.

Let me know if I can facilitate anything more for you. Thank you for any consideration.

Hereafter is a short list of the charities we have supported through our BBB event in years past: 'Big Brothers Big Sisters', 'Boys/Girls Club', 'Family Education & Support Services', 'GRUB/Victory Farmers', 'Homeless Backpacks', 'Little Red Schoolhouse', 'Morningside', 'Thurston County Food Bank', 'TOGETHER' & the 'YMCA'. YOUR SPONSORSHIP DOLLARS GO STRAIGHT TO THESE CHARITIES & OTHERS TOO.

We hope to be successful and host a fabulous event with multiple bands playing on multiple stages in The Hub & Huntamer Park on September 11, 2021. We also hope to raise lots of money for the communities surrounding the Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater area at the same time. Please consider us and our ask for local charities in the form of sponsorship 2021. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ed Schlich

Sponsorship Facilitator for BBB (Beers Brats & Brews)

Gateway Rotary

+1-360-561-3909

Washington State Redistricting Commission Presentation

Posted by Jerry Wilkins

Lisa McLean and Daniel Pailthorp to speak on August 25, 2021, on Washington State Redistricting Commission. Detailed census data has been received! The redistricting process can begin! Come hear about the process and what the results of the 2020 Census indicate about the changing demographics of Washington and Thurston County and the re-balancing of congressional and legislative districts.

Gateway Rotary Supports Lacey Food Bank

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Aug 21, 2021

As part of the Gateway Rotary Club’s Major Project, volunteers help staff and support Lacey’s Food Bank and Farm Stand on the third Saturday of the month in August, September, and October. Pictured above are this month’s volunteers, Megan Schoor, Troy Oliver, Ed Schlich, Nita Sell, and Doug Mah. Their participation is truly appreciated. The Farm Stand provides fresh produce to Food Bank families and clients. Produce is grown locally by the Olympia Kiwanis Club and other partner farms. This is a fun and an easy service project for our community. Volunteers are needed to stock crates and items, helping clients, site cleanup. No advanced training required to volunteer. Food Bank Staff will be present to assist. Please contact Doug Mah.

Chief Steve Brooks Provides Update

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Aug 04, 2021

Gateway member Chief Steve Brooks, Fire District 3, provided an update to the club on August 4, 2021.

Gateway News Articles in Thurston Talk

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Jul 30, 2021

Every week until the BBB on Sept. 11, 2021, we will be having a new article in Thurston Talk, both highlighting Gateway members, what we do in the community, and advertising the BBB.

Would you be so kind as to share these articles on your social media and with friends? Not only can it help drive BBB ticket sales, but also showcase the impact that Gateway has in the greater community overall throughout the year.

Please note that nothing like this is done in a vacuum, as there was a great team of Gateway members who stepped up to collect certain parts of these articles so that we represented the greater club as a whole.

Thanks, Troy Kirby

Gateway article No. 1 in Thurston Talk

https://www.thurstontalk.com/2021/06/22/mas-tequila-the-tribute-band-to-rocker-sammy-hagar-will-be-headlining-the-9th-annual-brats-brews-bands-festival-in-lacey/

Gateway article No. 2 in Thurston Talk

https://www.thurstontalk.com/2021/06/29/hear-dakota-poorman-live-at-2021-brats-brews-bands-festival-in-lacey/

Gateway article No. 3 in Thurston Talk

https://www.thurstontalk.com/2021/07/06/trick-candles-brings-a-brand-new-vibe-to-the-2021-brats-brews-bands-festival/

Gateway article No. 4 in Thurston Talk

https://www.thurstontalk.com/2021/07/13/elton-joel-tribute-band-to-elton-john-and-billy-joel-will-be-featured-at-brats-brews-bands-festival/

Gateway article No. 5 in Thurston Talk

https://www.thurstontalk.com/2021/07/20/dont-miss-country-star-briana-renea-at-the-brats-brews-bands-festival-in-lacey/

Gateway article No. 6 in Thurston Talk

https://www.thurstontalk.com/2021/07/27/catch-the-lemmings-of-olympia-at-brats-brews-bands-2021/

New 21-22 Board Installed and Awards Announced

Posted by Jerry Wilkins

The Rotary Club of Gateway-Thurston County, which meets at the O'Blarney's Irish Pub at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays, installed its new Board of Directors during a special installation ceremony on June 24, 2021. They are: President: Amanda Vey; President-Elect: Nate Peters; Vice President: Megan Schoor; Treasurer: Michael Jones; Secretary: Jerry Wilkins; Sergeant-at Arms: Lowell Gordon; Director: Diana Cockrell; and Past President: Janine Ezzell.

Committee Chairpersons for the upcoming year are: Administration: Diana Cockrell; Service Projects: Doug Mah; Youth Service: Nathan Magee; Membership: Shannon Glen; Public Relations: Troy Kirby; Literacy: Laurie Carroll; Vocation: Mark Arras; Social: Sylvia Davenport; and Foundation: Nita Sell and David Hemenway.

During the installation meeting, the following awards and special recognition were presented by outgoing President Janine Ezzell:

Distinguished Service Award - Jerry Wilkins

President’s Award - Megan Schoor

Rotarian of the Year Award - Mike Leonard

Service Above Self Award - Mike Jones

Four Way Test Award - Marne Obendorf

Four Way Test Award - Sylvia Davenport

Spirit of Service Award - Nita Sell

Help the Lacey Food Bank

Posted by Jerry Wilkins

We are looking for Rotarians interested in doing a little volunteer work on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm at Lacey's Food Bank.

Please plan to spend a couple hours after work bagging produce, sorting items, and fun Rotarian fellowship - all to help the Thurston County Food Bank. TCFB needs our help with a few different bagging/sorting projects at the Lacey Food Pantry on Martin Way East. Volunteers must wear masks and closed-toed shoes.

Volunteers will be packing produce bags (sorting and bagging produce) and sorting through nonperishable donations. No tools needed! Please use the links below to register and sign up.

We look forward to celebrating the first day of COVID-19 "reopening" by spending a little time volunteering for a good cause.

Contact Doug Mah or Megan Schoor if you have any questions.

Here is the link to the event page with more information (with sign-up link): https://gatewayrotary.net/event/lacey-food-pantry-produce-bagging/

Here is the sign-up link to volunteer: https://gatewayrotary.net/Volunteer/ManageVolunteerContacts?VolunteerSignUpId=861ee28c-c91a-4f19-8273-47a2b73a9859

Congratulations to the 21-22 Board of Directors

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Jan 07, 2021

Congratulations to the election of next year’s 2021-2022 Gateway Rotary Board of Directors.

President – Amanda Vey

President Elect - Nate Peters

Vice President - Megan Schoor

Secretary - Jerry Wilkins

Treasurer - Mike Jones

Sergeant-at-Arms - Matt Hidey

Director-at-Large - Diana Cockrell

Lunches Provided to COVID-19 Test Site

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Dec 17, 2020

Recently, Grace Kendall, owner of Fast Sign, purchased twenty boxed lunches and Curt Vaniman and Mike Leonard delivered the lunches to the workers at the Providence Health COVID-19 test site. This "mini" project was completed as a Gateway Rotary Service Project.

This was the second time Gateway Rotarians have pooled resources to donate boxed lunches to the frontline workers at the test site. It was done to recognize the importance of their job and the personal sacrifices these workers are making for our community (recalling the flood of test being conducted before and during the Thanksgiving holiday).

A big thank you to Grace, Mike, and Curt for modeling "Service above Self" and representing the Gateway Rotary Club.

South Sound Reading Foundation Thank You

Posted by Jerry Wilkins

South Sound Reading Foundation says, "Thank you Gateway Rotary - Thurston County for donating nearly 600 beautiful children's books and funds to purchase more! You are truly committed to literacy, children, and our community."

RI Presidential Citation 2019-2020

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Nov 04, 2020

Our club has earned the Rotary Platinum Citation, the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve, for 2019-20. During a year that was challenging for many Rotarians around the world, our club demonstrated a commitment to achieve its goals, which ultimately helps strengthen Rotary and shape our future.

Gateway Supports Tiny House Project

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Oct 15, 2020

ROTARY CLUB BUILDS TRANSITIONAL TINY HOME RESIDENCES

BY REBECCA SANCHEZ FOR THURSTONTALK.COM (permission granted)

The power of volunteers is incredible. Thurston county charity groups, students and volunteers united in an effort to house the unhoused in the Olympia community. Lacey, Olympia and Gateway Rotary clubs, Community Youth Services’ Youth Build and the Olympia Union Gospel Mission partnered in a construction project and built five tiny new homes. The genesis of the project was with an application submitted to local Rotary club members proposing the idea of building the tiny homes for the homeless. Each year, Rotary clubs review such proposals requesting support. The Youth Build program with Community Youth Services proposed the tiny home project and was selected as the recipient of Rotary’s financial assistance. With funding from three different Rotary clubs and matching funds from the Rotary district level, Youth Build began their construction project at the New Market Skills Center in Tumwater with a total of $21,000.00.

Book Drive

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Sep 22, 2020

The book drive supporting the South Sound Reading Foundation will run until Oct 14. Books can be dropped off at Merle Norman Cosmetics, Wigs, & Day Spa (Madelin White) and Chicago Title Thurston County (Janine Ezzell). The Foundation would like new and gently used kids books, especially easy chapter books like Julie B Jones, Magic Tree House and beginning reader books as well as board books for babies.

This year we are making a financial donation option for those non shoppers. You may make your gift online at this link.

Rotary Opens Opportunities

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Aug 03, 2020

Where business professionals and community leaders come together to get great things done.

*Join us for community service, education and connecting.

*The Gateway Rotary Club of Thurston County is one of the largest Rotary Clubs in our area.

*Founded just nine years ago, Gateway now counts approximately 110 businesses, civic and community leaders among its members.

*Each of these individuals is committed to Rotary’s “Service Above Self” philosophy that drives the club’s efforts to improve our community, our nation and the world.

Our weekly events feature prominent speakers from the community on a range of topics. (See our Meeting Speakers and Upcoming Events)

Gateway Rotary Club brings people together to do good service.

*Our members are active in the community! We are business professionals and community leaders.

*We are people who are new to Thurston County as well as long-time and native residents.

*Our weekly meetings provide great fellowship, education and networking.

There are so many ways to get involved. Let us help you get started.

*Our club meetings are not the only ways to participate.

*We host a variety of other volunteer activities, annual events, business discussions, and social events.

Contact us for more information

Outgoing President Len Faucher message to the Club

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Jun 25, 2020

This is a Group Email to Gateway Nation, and I apologize, but since we don't have a chance to meet in person, this will be longer than I would prefer it to be:

I expect this will be my last email in this role. I hope you will be able to join us at this coming Wednesday morning’s meeting at 0700. In addition to a fantastic program with speaker Sheriff John Snaza, we will be honoring the outgoing board, welcoming Janine Ezzell as her presidency commences, and handing out our prestigious annual awards to members of Gateway Nation.

Gateway Rotary supports COVID-19 Testing Site

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Jun 05, 2020

Curt Vaniman, representing Gateway Rotary Club, on June 5, 2020, as club members delivered sandwiches and drinks to frontline workers at the Hawk Prairie Providence Health Care COVID-19 testing site. Thank you to all our frontline workers.

Tom Carroll selected for RI 2019-20 Service Above Self Award

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on May 07, 2020

Past District Governor Tom Carroll was selected by the Board of Directors of Rotary International as a recipient of the 2019-20 Service Above Self Award, Rotary International's highest honor. The award recognizes those Rotarians who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, in any form and at any level, with emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary. A maximum of 150 recipients worldwide may be selected each year.

Please join me in congratulating Tom for this well deserved honor and to thank him for his dedication and commitment to Rotary as a whole and to our Gateway community. Thank you Tom!

Len Faucher

President, Gateway Rotary Club

FREE ONLINE DISTRICT TRAINING-SATURDAY MAY 16, 2020

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Apr 15, 2020

TRAINING WITH A DIFFERENCE

Due to Covid-19, Rotary District was unable to hold the annual District Training in person. They recognize the importance of these training sessions in providing important education and information for the new Rotary year. So They have created District Training via Zoom (DTvZ) which will offer key training courses online for free on May 16^th, 2020.

Attending DTvZ will not only give you some amazing training, it will also help you connect with fellow Rotarians. So while we cannot get together in person during this time, you can still be part of Rotary with Rotarians all over our district.

April meetings to be ZOOM meetings

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Mar 30, 2020

Fellow Gateway Rotarians,

Our club is a vivid example of how connectivity is important for our society. Perhaps like me, you may find yourself recharged and energized through meeting fellow Gateway Rotarians at our weekly meetings. Social distancing and adhering to guidelines provided by government officials and our medical community will hopefully flatten the curve and shorten the effects from this coronavirus pandemic. However, that social distancing has removed the connection that each of us so desperately needs.