New Rotary Club celebrates successful first five years

SALMON CREEK — In the same year that 20 percent of Clark County residents relied on food banks and pantries, the Rotary Club of Three Creeks quietly celebrated its fifth anniversary. Even without big fanfare, in 2020-21 alone the Rotary club donated $21,000, and 108 volunteer hours to three local food banks. The Three Creeks club — primarily serving Hazel Dell, Felida, Salmon Creek and Ridgefield — was chartered by Rotary International on Oct. 7, 2016. The club has since completed 62 service projects, for a total of 1,674 service hours within the community. The club recently established, launched, and provided seed funding for the locally controlled Rotary Club of Three Creeks Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit separate from the club itself to collect tax-deductible donations and award grants and financial gifts following the strategic priorities set by the club. “We’re making a big difference locally and we’re also doing our part, as a small club, to make a difference in the world. I think we all are pretty proud of that,” says club President Nelson Holmberg.