Our Projects
Service That Makes a Difference — Right Here and Around the World
The Rotary Club of Apple Valley is about action, heart, and community.
We’re neighbors helping neighbors
We’re mentors cheering on students
We’re volunteers who show up — not because we have to, but because we care
Below is a snapshot of what service looks like when Rotary gets involved.
Veterans & First Responders
Honoring Those Who Serve
Supporting veterans and first responders is a cornerstone of our club.
Signature projects include:
Veterans BBQ & Car Show
A beloved community event honoring veterans while raising funds for service projectsVietnam Veterans Breakfast
A heartfelt morning of recognition, gratitude, and fellowshipPolice & Firefighter BBQ
Showing appreciation to the men and women who protect our community
These events bring generations together and remind us why service matters.
Youth & Education
Investing in the Future of Apple Valley
When kids succeed, our community succeeds.
Interact Clubs (High School Rotary)
We proudly sponsor Interact Clubs at:
Apple Valley High School (AVHS)
Granite Hills High School (GHHS)
Academy for Academic Excellence (AAE)
Through Interact, students learn leadership, teamwork, service, and responsibility — while making a real impact locally.
Additional Education Support
Jean Trost Kindergarten Book Program
Putting books into young hands and encouraging early literacyTeach Mini Grants
Helping teachers bring creative ideas and resources into their classrooms
Local Education Support
Helping Students Show Up Ready to Learn
RCAV helps fund backpacks for high school students, coordinated through Apple Valley Unified School District (AVUSD).
Backpacks are filled with:
School supplies
Clothing and essentials
Items students need to feel prepared and confident at school
A simple idea with a powerful impact.
Scholarships & Student Competitions
Encouraging Excellence and Confidence
We support students who step up and challenge themselves through multiple scholarship and competition programs:
Essay Competition
Speech Competition
Music Competition
Scholastic Scholarships
Business Plan Competition (coming soon)
These programs help students develop communication skills, creativity, and leadership — skills they’ll use for life.
Youth Leadership
Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
Leadership doesn’t happen by accident.
RCAV proudly supports:
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards)
TLC (Teen Leadership Conference)
These experiences challenge students to grow, lead, and discover their potential.
Community Service & Cleanups
Rolling Up Our Sleeves
From community cleanups to local service projects, RCAV members are always ready to pitch in and help keep Apple Valley strong, clean, and connected.
“Pass the Hat” Projects
Helping When Help Can’t Wait
Not every need fits neatly into a budget.
RCAV believes in responding quickly and compassionately when the moment calls for it. Our informal “Pass the Hat” projects allow members to address urgent or unexpected needs immediately.
One example:
A Granite Hills High School student group worked hard and hoped for a small pizza celebration — maybe $50.
During a regular Rotary lunch meeting:
Members passed the hat
Over $150 was raised on the spot
Students enjoyed a pizza party
Extra funds covered a bowling celebration
Sometimes the most meaningful service is simply showing someone their effort mattered.
Fundraisers with a Purpose
Fun That Fuels Service
Our fundraisers aren’t just about raising money — they’re about bringing people together.
Beer Gardens
Car Shows
Community events and partnerships
Every dollar raised goes right back into service projects like the ones you see here.
Global Impact & International Service
Local Heart. Global Reach.
Rotary is local at heart — and global in impact.
Ending Polio
Rotary has helped reduce polio worldwide by 99.9%, and we’re closer than ever to ending it forever. Through fundraising and awareness, RCAV proudly supports this historic global effort.
Clean Water & Sanitation
Rotary supports clean water, sanitation, and hygiene projects around the world — because access to clean water changes everything.
Service Without Borders — Vietnam Projects
When Rotary Values Lead the Way
Before Rotary clubs were re-established in Vietnam, RCAV supported two rare and meaningful international projects in Quảng Trị Province, an area heavily impacted by Agent Orange and unexploded ordnance (UXOs).
Animal Husbandry Micro-Loan Project (Started 2007)
$2,000 in micro-loans coordinated through the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation
Families received livestock to rebuild livelihoods
Loans were repaid and reused
The project became self-sustaining and ongoing
Education Scholarship Project
$1,000 provided for student education
Helped cover schooling and educational needs for students in the same region
At the time, Rotary clubs did not exist locally — making this a rare case where a Rotary club helped manage funding and delivery through trusted partners.
See Rotary in Action
Our photos tell the story best — real people, real service, real impact.
From veterans events and student programs to cleanups and celebrations, these moments show what Rotary is all about.
Why People Join Rotary
People join RCAV because they want to:
Make a difference locally
Be part of something meaningful
Build friendships that last
Have fun while doing good
You don’t need special experience.
You just need a heart for service.
Join Us
Curious about Rotary?
Come visit a meeting.
Meet the people.
See if it feels like home.
You might come for the service —
but you’ll stay for the friendships.