The Rotary Club of Three Creeks has yet again made a difference in Salmon Creek.

The club yesterday donated 50 new stuffed animals to the Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital’s foundation for children who are receiving care during the holiday season.

“We are so excited that we have the opportunity to provide these gifts to children who are receiving care at the hospital during this wonderful time of year,” said Club President Kelley Campbell. “One of our four priorities for giving is children, so having been asked to provide a little help for these children was well-timed and the club is more than happy to provide the stuffed animals.”

The donation was made through the club’s Charitable Giving Program, which provides small grants or gifts to nonprofits that show need through an application/request process that is reviewed by the club’s charitable giving committee and ratified by the club board of directors.

Susanne Holmberg, a member of the Charitable Giving Committee and founding president of the club, delivered the stuffed animals to the hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 16, and hospital staff immediately thought of at least one specific child who would love a cuddly toy.

“It was touching to know that one of those 50 stuffed animals would be delivered to a child right away,” Holmberg said. “This is what Rotarians do. We are People of Action and doing even something small like this makes a huge difference to someone.”

The Three Creeks Charitable Giving Committee has been busy in 2020. Before this donation, the club had already given $1,000 to ShelterBox USA, an organization that provides disaster relief shelter, $1,000 to LULAC Southwest Washington, and $850 to the United Way of Lane County, Ore., for wildfire relief.

Money raised from Dancing with the Local Stars, the club’s major fundraiser each year, allows the club to make meaningful donations across the community. Details of the Charitable Giving program are on the club’s website at https://www.rotaryofthreecreeks.com/charitable-giving.html.

Kinsey Dhoot became the newest Rotarian in the World at our club meeting on Thursday, Dec. 3, when past president Susanne Holmberg and future membership director Carol Mackey crashed Kinsey's front door for a (mostly) masked & distanced induction ceremony.

As she wrote in her application, "I am a mother, wife, sociologist, humanitarian, and educator. I love traveling and have traveled to over 20 countries. I fell in love with Rotary long ago when I observed their compassionate action helping people locally, nationally, and internationally. Since I was a little girl, I knew my purpose was to help make this world become a better place. Rotary is a supportive, fun, and genuine place that truly makes the world a better place. I always feel at home when I am with Rotary! I have the best husband in the world and two amazing children. My son is turning 6 years old (he loves science) and my daughter just turned 4 (she loves to sing & dance). I was born in Anchorage, Alaska and have most my family in Yakima, WA and Seattle, WA. I am currently creating a program to help teens heal and coach them to optimize becoming who they want to be."

Kinsey is a teacher in the Evergreen Public Schools. She holds Masters in Teaching & Curriculum Instructions National Board Certified Teacher Bachelor of Science in History & Social Sciences (WSU graduate).

Welcome to the club Kinsey!