• Winner: WINNER
  • Date: 1/30/2020
  • Rotary Year: 2019-2020
  • Award Category: Youth Activities
  • Club NameRockingham County
  • Member First NameJustin
  • Address: 
    407 Lee Ave.
    Harrisonbug, VA 22802
    United States View on Map
  • Email: justinwolcott@gmail.com
  • Brief Description: 
    1. Harrisonburg Rockingham All American Soap Box Derby race at SRI International. 3 division winners (Stock, Super Stock, and Super Kids) moved on to the International Soap Box derby championship race in Akron, OH in July. Our club financed expenses for the winners’ families to make the trip to this race. The following weekend we also hosted an All American Soap Box Derby STEM race. Montevideo and Elkton Middle Schools incorporate the Derby car building process and race into their curriculum.

    2. Club members also spent a day at the Augusta Expo Land Worlds of Work to teach 7th grade students from Rockingham and Augusta county schools about the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) applications of a Soap Box Derby car.

    3, Car Raffle: We purchased a brand-new 2018 Ford Fiesta from Myers Ford and sold 300 tickets for a chance to win the car. Our Car Raffle was held at the Club level of James Madison University’s Bridgeforth Stadium. Funds went to Generations Crossing (an intergenerational day care center), First Step (a family domestic violence response shelter) and our club’s foundation.

    3. Our club continues to support and participate in various events with the Interact Club at Eastern Mennonite School (EMS) in Harrisonburg, VA. Again, this year, our club’s joined together to pick-up trash from a stretch of the Route 42 highway.

    4. Our club partnered with the Waynesboro East-Augusta Club to host the annual Ronald McDonald House Golf Tournament. The Ronald McDonald House allows families and children being treated at the University of Virginia hospital a free place to stay, relax, fix meals, and gather support from others experiencing similar trauma.

    5. Christmas gifts for local children and families supported by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Department of Social Services. This year we also worked directly with local high schools to supply Christmas gifts to students in need.

    6. Strawberry Festival - helped raise funds with Harrisonburg Rotary Club. Provided volunteers. Funds raised support building of local parks.

    7. Partnered with the United Way of Harrisonburg and other local clubs to read to students as part of the Read to Succeed Campaign.

    8. Partnered with other local clubs to help mulch the new playground at Rockingham Park at the Crossroads which is built with proceeds from the Strawberry Festival.

    9. Support for four RYLA attendees as well as a chaperones from East Rockingham and Eastern Mennonite High Schools.
  • Participation of Club Members: 
    1. Approximately 65%
    2. Approximately 6%
    3. Approximately 100%
    4. Approximately 10%
    5. Approximately 75%
    6. Approximately 25%
    7. Approximately 9%
    8. Approximately 14%
    9. Approximately 100% (financial support through Club).
  • Resulting Benefits: 
    1. All American Soap Box Derby local and STEM races - helping to teach local children science, technology, engineering and math concepts. 30+ local children including Boys and Girls Club children.
    2. World of Work - teaching middle school students in Rockingham and Augusta counties about Soap Box Derby Cars and allowing them to build their own mini soap box derby cars to learn STEM concepts.
    3. Car Raffle - raised about $15,000 in funds for local charities which all serve children.
    4. Ronald McDonald House Golf Tournament - raised thousands of dollars with the Waynesboro - East Augusta club to support hospitalized children.
    Adopt A Highway with Interact Club - helping teach local EMS Interact club students the importance of taking care of our environment and reinforcing our relationship with the EMS Interact Club.
    5. Christmas Gifts for Department of Social Services - helping local children and families in need to experience a positive Christmas season through giving. Some students mentioned that it was the first time that they had ever received a Christmas gift.
    6. Strawberry Festival - helped the Harrisonburg club and other area 3 clubs raise funds through sponsorships and volunteer hours. Funds go to build playgrounds for children in local parks. This year funds are being used to build a pickleball court.
    7. Read to succeed program helps students enjoy reading.
    8. The mulching project continued our work on the local park and playground for local children to enjoy.
    9. RYLA Support - supported 4 RYLA participants from East Rock and EMS high schools. Helping those children learn more about leadership and speaking skills.
    See our Facebook page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/RockinghamCountyVARotaryClub/
  • 1st Supporting Document: 
    2019_Youth_Award_.m4v