On October 30, Kelso Rotary joined in the Halloween fun at the Downtown Kelso Trick or Treat, handing out candy to what seemed like an endless parade of ghosts, superheroes, princesses, dinosaurs, and plenty of other creative characters!

There were so many kids and so much candy, and we loved every minute of it. It was wonderful to see Downtown Kelso filled with families enjoying a safe, fun evening together and our community coming together to make it special.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make the event possible and to our Rotarians who came out to hand out candy and share in the fun.

What a great event and a great night to be part of the Kelso community!

Kelso Rotary recently welcomed Andrea Bruno and Darby Knox with the Humane Society for Southwest Washington for an informative program about the important work they are doing for animals throughout our community.

Andrea shared information about pet adoption, fostering, volunteer opportunities, and the many ways community partnerships help support animals and the people who care for them. Members also learned how individuals can get involved, whether by opening their home to a foster pet, volunteering their time, supporting Humane Society programs, or helping spread the word about animals looking for their forever homes.

It was a great reminder that strong communities are built through organizations and individuals working together to make a difference.

Thank you, Andrea, for spending time with Kelso Rotary and sharing the many ways we can help support animals in Southwest Washington!

What happens when you combine Rotary members, great ideas, a little friendly competition, and a room full of “sharks”? You get Rotary Shark Tank!

At a recent Kelso Rotary meeting, members put their creativity to the test with our own Rotary-inspired version of Shark Tank. Participants had the opportunity to dream big, develop their ideas, and make their best pitch to convince the “sharks” that their idea deserved to come out on top.

Of course, this was Rotary, so the real goal wasn’t just winning. It was about having fun, thinking creatively, and reminding ourselves what can happen when a group of people comes together to share ideas and imagine new possibilities.

There were plenty of laughs, some creative pitches, and maybe even a little friendly persuasion as members worked to win over the sharks!

Activities like Rotary Shark Tank are a fun way to bring another dimension to our weekly meetings. Along with hearing from community speakers, learning about local organizations, and working on service projects, sometimes it’s good to simply laugh, connect, and enjoy being Rotarians together.

After all, you never know where the next great Rotary idea might come from.

And in the Shark Tank, you’d better be ready to make your pitch! 🦈