Woodridge Rotary Mini Tri Enlists Athlete Input

The Woodridge Rotary Club recently announced the five charitable organizations athletes may contribute to when they register for the August 16th Annual Mini Triathlon. Early Bird registration is now open for the event. The mini triathlon is a swim/bike/run event that is the major fundraiser for the Woodridge Club. Three years ago the Club began letting athletes select who would receive $5 of their registration fee. Members nominate local organizations that both provide social services and need regular financial support, and after voting by club members, the top five names are posted on the mini tri website. Athletes registering for the event can read about the organizations by linking to the websites for each.

Social service organizations selected this year include West Suburban Community Pantry, Family Shelter Services (domestic abuse), Metropolitan Family Services (family services), Special Olympics Region 5, and Hope’s Front Door (emergency assistance.) Last year $4330 from registration fees was given to the organizations selected.

This portion of registration fee is only a small part of what the Woodridge Club distributes back to the community during the year following the mini triathlon. In addition to the groups selected this year, contributions have been made by the Rotary Club over the past several years to Working Bikes Cooperative, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Habitat for Humanity, SCARCE Environmental Organization, the Woodridge Park District for program scholarships, Bridge Communities, CASA of Dupage, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer, and Serenity House (addiction treatment), to name a few. Rotary members have collected used coats for three years for homeless veterans, and every year the club gives two $2000 scholarships to deserving high school seniors for college. Members find giving back very rewarding, and the mini triathlon makes it all possible.

The Woodridge chapter of the international Rotary organization began in 1987. The motto of Rotary is Service Above Self, and giving back to the community in various ways is the Club’s mission. New members are always welcome to the weekly lunch meetings at Seven Bridges. Registration links for the mini triathlon as well as information on the Rotary Club itself may be found at www.woodridgerotary.org.

Photo shows several of the recipients of last year’s mini tri charitable giving.