Partnerships are at the center of Bozeman Sunrise Rotary’s service and impact. We collaborate with our local schools, nonprofits, and businesses, turning shared commitment into measurable results for our community. For example, we partner with area schools to support youth leadership and ensure that all second graders receive their own books. The Fix Up Festival is another great collaboration between businesses, HRDC and other nonprofit organizations that truly has made a difference in many people’s lives.
These collaborations strengthen volunteer engagement and ensure projects meet real community needs. In doing so, Bozeman Sunrise Rotary advances both local priorities and the mission of Rotary International through service grounded in partnership.
Appreciation and thanks to all our partners.
HRDC: KidsPack - Weekend Meals
Did you know that one in five elementary students in the Gallatin Valley faces food insecurity? Hunger is far more common than many people realize, and it creates a significant challenge to learning. Children have a hard time focusing when they’re hungry, and for many families in our community, school meals are a primary source of daily nutrition.
HRDC’s KidsPack program helps bridge the gap when school isn’t in session by providing weekend food for students. It’s a simple and meaningful way to support local children.
The Bozeman Sunrise Rotary is proud partner with HRDC to support this vital program and make this an annual service project.
Behind each KidsPack is a group of community volunteers who meet at HRDC to fill bags with granola bars, canned soup, macaroni and cheese, tuna, oatmeal, juice, and other kid‑friendly foods. Thanks to this effort, HRDC distributed over 7,600 KidsPacks last year in southwest Montana.
A donation of just $8 provides a student with three healthy meals and snacks. Every Friday, these nutritious packs are delivered through schools, ensuring that children have enough to eat over the weekend.
Families interested in signing up can contact their school administration. More information is available atHRDC.
RED WING SHOES - Committed to Our Community
The Bozeman Red Wing Shoes Store has been owned since 2018 by Nathan Stone, affectionately known as “Nathan the Boot Guy.” His daughter, Emily Joh, has managed the store since 2022, overseeing daily operations and specialized fittings.
Nathan and Emily prioritize community support, focusing on youth development, education and reducing community poverty. Their generosity includes providing winter boots to homeless children, giving food cards to needy students and supporting food programs for families, including the Food Bank.
Emily’s passion for helping children has led to an impactful partnership with the Bozeman Sunrise Rotary Club, supporting students at Gallatin High School. Over the last six years, Red Wing Shoes has donated 60 pairs of boots, valued between $250 and $300 each to high school students. And the students were so thankful.
Emily shared the story of a girl in a high school construction class who struggled because she only had worn-out sneakers. After receiving a pair of Red Wing boots, the student gained the confidence not only to stay in the class but to excel. Emily describes this transformation as the “show and grow” effect—where the right gear gives a student the dignity to excel.
Emily is now looking to expand this impact by including high-quality socks with boot donations. For the Bozeman team, it is about more than footwear; it’s about providing the confidence and tools for everyone in the community to succeed. Find out more about Red Wing Shoes.
Bozeman Sunrise Rotary has been welcoming and supporting the Montana State University’s Office of International Programs Fulbright Teaching Fellows (TEA) since 2016.
The Fellows, who are English teachers, prepare proposals for a project at their school that will enhance learning and school conditions. BSRC began this partnership by offering one scholarship to a Fellow, however now our club can offer several scholarship each year. Awards have covered items such as books for libraries, desks for classrooms, latrines, classroom equipment.
With a small investment from BSRC, teachers and their students from around the world can expand the benefits of learning English and developing new skills. To date awards have been given to Fellows from countries including: Bolivia, Cote d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Niger, Nepal, and Nicaragua.
This year we selected three proposals for funding:
In El Salvador a water filtration system will provide clean drinking water to 800 students and staff at the school.
In India the project will improve the girls’ restroom by adding continuous access to water and electricity, and supplying a sanitary pad machine and incinerator.
In Kyrgyzstan scholarship funds will create a program called “Hope Through English” to establish a safe place for children to heal and to dream while working on their English. Due to local conflicts between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan many children have lost their homes in Kyrgyzstan and their sense of safety.
Our Rotary Club designates a Thursday evening meeting to learn about the proposed projects and for Fellows to share about their country, their school, their successes, and their challenges.It is truly an evening of sharing and learning.
Learn more about Bozeman Sunrise Rotary Club collaborations with MSU.
Partnering for a More Stable Future
In 2020, something exciting happened in Rotary: Rotary International officially added a seventh Area of Focus — Protecting the Environment.
Rotary International’s mission says it best: Together with local leaders, we take action to find innovative solutions and develop sustainable service projects to strengthen our local ecosystems and our planet and create a greener and more stable future for us all. Read more about Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group,ESRAG.
Inspired by Rotary’s worldwide action, we formed the Environmental Working Group at Bozeman Sunrise Rotary in 2025.
Why? Because we believe change starts right here at home.
In Bozeman, that means looking at our daily habits, our events, and our service projects and asking, “How can we do this better?” It means forming partnerships to support local conservation efforts, reducing waste at our meetings, and encouraging small, practical steps that add up to real impact. This also requires partnership and collaboration with the City, the University, and local non-profits. Working together we can meet our common goals for environmental sustainability.
We’re not aiming for perfection. We’re aiming for progress.
Every reusable cup, every reduced car trip, every thoughtful purchasing decision matters — especially in a place as special as the Gallatin Valley. Together, we can protect the landscapes we love and create a greener future for us all.
In On Saturday, May 16, 2026, every Rotary Club in Montana will join a global movement of service, impact, and unity. The EPIC Day of Service will bring together more than 2,500 Rotary clubs and 75,000 Rotarians, volunteers, and partners worldwide for one powerful day dedicated to making the world a better place.
From busy city streets to the most rural corners of the world, theEPIC Day of Serviceinvites people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds to take action on the issues that matter most where they live. Through thousands of coordinated service projects, this day will showcase the extraordinary impact that’s possible when we work together with a shared purpose.
Montana Rotarians will stand with our partners locally and with this global network, demonstrating that we are truly people of action. Together, we will make a meaningful difference in our Montana communities, highlight the strength of Rotary’s worldwide connections, and celebrate our commitment to fellowship, collaboration, and service above self.
2nd Annual CHILI COOKOFF!
Date: March 22, 2026 Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Venue: The Filling Station, 2005 N Rouse, Bozeman
This year the Chili Cook-Off will raise funds for our service projects while giving us all a chance to compete and have some fun.
Chili Teams: Rotarians and community members will compete with their best recipes. The cost is $50 to enter your chili and we're asking that you bring at least 5 quarts. Maximum of 12 teams vying for CASH PRIZES!
Dessert Silent Auction: Bid on delicious desserts you can take home.
Raffle: Purchase tickets for a chance to win great prizes. More details will be coming soon on the raffle items and how to purchase tickets.
Judging: A panel of community judges will select the top three chilis.
Bozeman Sunrise Rotary Club members are dedicated to improving our community and the world in which we live. Through projects such as the ones mentioned above our work reaches many. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities click here to email our president with your contact information. You will hear from us soon!
he Bozeman Red Wing Shoes Store has been owned since 2018 by Nathan Stone, affectionately known as “Nathan the Boot Guy.” His daughter, Emily Joh, has managed the store since 2022, overseeing daily operations and specialized fittings.
exciting happened in Rotary: Rotary International officially added a seventh Area of Focus
