Join us to hear from Jim Drees, Homelessness Response System Manager, about the Specialized Housing Plan.  

Please join us to hear from Madeline Fasen, D.O., Kharisa Rachmasari, M.D., endocrinology, Mayo Clinic Health System, "Reduce your diabetes risk"

Puerto Vallarta Water Project

When Hilltopper Rotary’s Mike Diveley met fellow Rotarian Ken Reiser from Ohio at a Rotary meeting in Puerto Vallarta nearly a decade ago, a powerful partnership began. Ken’s club has supported a life-changing water filter project for 13 years and Hilltopper Rotary has proudly been part of it for the past 8.

This incredible project brings clean, safe, and *free* drinking water to rural communities in Jalisco, Mexico—places where families often rely on contaminated streams shared with livestock. Without access to purified water, these communities face serious health issues, financial burdens from buying sugary drinks or bottled water, and children dropping out of school early to help support their families.

With these filters, each capable of purifying up to 170 gallons a day and lasting over 10 years, families are healthier, kids can stay in school, and futures are brighter.

Join us at our next meeting to hear the full story, see the impact firsthand, and find out how you can be part of bringing clean water—and hope—to those who need it most.

Join us to hear from Sue Graf and Brian from WINN (What I Need Now). WINN's mission is to lovingly care for our un-sheltered neighbors in the Coulee Region with empathy, compassion, and understanding and accepts individuals as they are, where they are. 

We will also be collecting insect repellant for WINN so if you are able to bring a can or two of personal insect repellant, it would be greatly appreciated! 

Join us as we kick off the year with big energy and bold goals! The 2025-2026 Rotary International theme is Unite for Good and Club President Jessica is ready to share an inspiring vision to recharge the Hilltopper Rotary Club. From club goals to community impact, come see how you play a vital part in something greater. Let’s unite, show up, and get ready to do some good — together! We are better together - and this year, we're going all in! 

We will also be joined by our short term foreign exchange student, along with her counterpart from Italy! 

Rotary Lights Food Drive

The mission of Rotary Lights is to “feed the hungry of the Coulee Region” We received a call a few weeks ago from Shelly at the Hunger Task Force explaining that their shelves were very light on product because of the increase in demand.  More people are using their inventory than ever before.

After a few discussions we decided to accept this challenge. To-date, this is what was decided:

July 11-18-25

11 am to 6 pm

Two locations: Hy Vee in Onalaska and the K Mart lot on the south side of La Crosse.

We will need 3-4 people per shift. Shifts will be for 2 hours and a volunteer could take more than one shift. We’ll also accept cash donations. Your organization might consider taking a full day.

The volunteers will collect the food items and put them in the trucks supplied by Rotary Lights. RL will take the collections to the Hunger Task Force.

So far, the United Way, TV 8, Organic Valley, and Midwest Radio have all agreed to help. This will be a total community effort.

For additional information, contact Scott Lundeen (608) 792-1822 or slundeen@rotarylights.org or Pat Stephens (608) 385-0490, pstephens@eagle.uwlax.edu.

Rotary Lights Food Drive

The mission of Rotary Lights is to “feed the hungry of the Coulee Region” We received a call a few weeks ago from Shelly at the Hunger Task Force explaining that their shelves were very light on product because of the increase in demand.  More people are using their inventory than ever before.

After a few discussions we decided to accept this challenge. To-date, this is what was decided:

July 11-18-25

11 am to 6 pm

Two locations: Hy Vee in Onalaska and the K Mart lot on the south side of La Crosse.

We will need 3-4 people per shift. Shifts will be for 2 hours and a volunteer could take more than one shift. We’ll also accept cash donations. Your organization might consider taking a full day.

The volunteers will collect the food items and put them in the trucks supplied by Rotary Lights. RL will take the collections to the Hunger Task Force.

So far, the United Way, TV 8, Organic Valley, and Midwest Radio have all agreed to help. This will be a total community effort.

For additional information, contact Scott Lundeen (608) 792-1822 or slundeen@rotarylights.org or Pat Stephens (608) 385-0490, pstephens@eagle.uwlax.edu.

We are honored to welcome a special guest from an organization that plays a vital role in strengthening our communities - United Way. For over a century, United Way has brought people together to fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every community. 

Mary Kay Wolf serves as the Executive Director of Great Rivers United Way. In this role, she leads efforts that bring resources, people, and ideas together to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in our region - from early childhood education and workforce development, to housing and health. 

Rotary Lights Food Drive

The mission of Rotary Lights is to “feed the hungry of the Coulee Region” We received a call a few weeks ago from Shelly at the Hunger Task Force explaining that their shelves were very light on product because of the increase in demand.  More people are using their inventory than ever before.

After a few discussions we decided to accept this challenge. To-date, this is what was decided:

July 11-18-25

11 am to 6 pm

Two locations: Hy Vee in Onalaska and the K Mart lot on the south side of La Crosse.

We will need 3-4 people per shift. Shifts will be for 2 hours and a volunteer could take more than one shift. We’ll also accept cash donations. Your organization might consider taking a full day.

The volunteers will collect the food items and put them in the trucks supplied by Rotary Lights. RL will take the collections to the Hunger Task Force.

So far, the United Way, TV 8, Organic Valley, and Midwest Radio have all agreed to help. This will be a total community effort.

For additional information, contact Scott Lundeen (608) 792-1822 or slundeen@rotarylights.org or Pat Stephens (608) 385-0490, pstephens@eagle.uwlax.edu.

📢 Volunteer at Place of Grace Dinner!

🏠 History & Mission

Place of Grace opened its doors on January 1, 1997, in La Crosse as part of the Catholic Worker Movement. Founded by Viterbo University Professor Tom Thibodeau, it has been a beacon of compassion and community ever since.

From the beginning, the house has embraced what Thibodeau calls radical hospitality:

“Our basic philosophy, our mandate, if you will, is treat each person who comes through the doors as if they were Christ Himself,” Thibodeau explains. “You want to change the nature of what’s happening in this country, in our world? Treat each person as if they were Christ himself, as if they had God-given dignity as their birthright and honor that. That changes everything.”

Place of Grace isn’t just about providing meals—it’s about building real human connections.

🍽️ What You’ll Be Doing

• Prepare and cook meals

• Serve food with warmth and hospitality

• Connect with guests

• Help with cleanup

Our club will be preparing our famous Pork Q. This is a family-friendly event.

📍 When & Where

• Date & Time: Thursday, July 31, starting at 4 PM

• Location: Place of Grace – 919 Hood St, La Crosse, WI

Join us as Dan Stevens talks through our upcoming Pork Q!  Let's raise some funds, and strengthen community ties through food and fellowship.  

Join us as our speakers share the energy, tradition, and community spirit behind one of La Crosse's most vibrant and inclusive annual events - the Hmong New Years Celebration. 

Deeply rooted in Hmong tradition, the event brings together the entire community in a lively celebration of music, dance, traditional food, and cultural arts. 

Whether you've attended in the past or are curious about what makes this celebration such a special part of our community calendar, you're in for an engaging preview!

Dear Fellow Rotarians, 

We have some very exciting news to share! Mark your calendars and get ready to roll out the red carpet - our District Goveronor Mike Kloss, will be visiting our Club on September 10th!

This is a tremendous honor and a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the great work our club is doing and to hear firsthand about the Rotary vision for the year ahead. 

The DG's visit is more than just a formality - it's a chance to be inspired, to connect with the wider Rotary community, and to recharge our commitment to Service Above Self. Let's come together in full force, show our club spirit, and give a warm, enthusiastic welcome! 

Our speaker, Sarah Arendt - Beyer, will walk us through how AI is being used personally.  Whether you're already using tools like ChatGPT or just curious what all the fuss is about, this talk will show how AI is no longer science fiction - it's personal.  

Join us for this very timely and practical conversation about AI! 

Dan Wick is the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Onalaska. With decades of experience in public service, Dan oversees the development, maintenance, and programming for Onalaska's extensive park system, recreation programs, and major community facilities - including the Omni Center and the exciting new DASH Center project.  

The Center is designed to be a hub for inclusive recreation, wellness, and community connection. Under Dan's leadership, the DASH Center is set to become a cornerstone of the city's mission to serve residents of all ages and abilities. 

Please join us at 12pm on Wednesday, October 8th, as Dan shares how the Onalaska Parks & Rec is creating more inclusive, engaging, and healthy spaces for everyone - and how community partnerships like ours can help bring that vision to life!

We are honored to be joined to Josh Hein, from Outdoor Recreation Alliance, based right here in La Crosse - a community known for its innovative spirit and commitment to sustainable development. 

ORA has been at the forefront of fostering community engagement through outdoor recreation. Their mission blends stewardship of the land with inclusive access to nature, creating unique places where people can connect with the earth, each other, and the pursuits of healthy living. 

ORA is unveiling a truly special initiative - the new Trail Farm.  This project embodies the very best of ORA's vision; a dynamic, multi-use space where trails weave through productive farm plots, wildlife habitats, and educational gardens. It will promote active outdoor recreation, and serve as a place for environmental education and community programming. 

You won't want to miss this!