Bremerton Rotary Club is currently involved in supporting a number of worthwhile projects in the community and around the world. Since 1960, we have contributed more than $1.3 million to local organizations and our endowment account (set up to fund scholarships). In addition, individual Rotarians have contributed $120,000 to Rotary International through Paul Harris Fellowships.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Kitsap County
Our club has made a three-year commitment of $40,000 to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kitsap County site at Naval Avenue Elementary in downtown Bremerton. This site opened during the 2007-2008 school year. It provides after-school activities for Bremerton youth as well as a summer camp program. Our contribution largely funded an additional two portable classrooms on the Naval Avenue site.

Kitsap Community Resources
We have also made a three-year commitment of $40,000 to Kitsap Community Resources to help fund this organization’s new consolidated site at 802 7th St. KCR is a non-profit organization established to help end hunger, illiteracy, poverty and homelessness for low-income individuals.

YMCA Teen Center
We have just finished funding a $10,000 grant to the Kitsap Family YMCA’s for their Teen Activity Center.

Bremerton High School Scholarships
Each year, our club interviews and selects about a dozen scholarships for deserving Bremerton High School students. These scholarships enable them to attend Olympic College or their choice of a four-year university. We awarded about $20,000 annually.

Holiday Helpers
Each holiday season, our club supports the Salvation Army in its charitable endeavors by serving as “Bellringers” to raise money for the kettle at various sites around town. At our last meeting prior to Christmas, individual Rotarians generally make individual donations exceeding $7,000. We also donate food and gifts to needy families in the area through our “Christmas Angels” program.

Community Organizations
Throughout the year, we dispense a number of smaller grants to community organizations that have requested funding for various projects. Each year, we support summer camperships for several local organizations: the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire and the Salvation Army. In the past, we have contributed to the Holly Ridge Center, Literacy Council, Bremerton Food Line, Evergreen Children’s Theatre any many more.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
Each year we make it possible for several outstanding Bremerton High School juniors to attend the annual RYLA Conference at Pacific Lutheran University. Here, students meet and mingle with student leaders from around the state and participate in a mock government experience.

Foreign Exchange Students
Every year we send one Bremerton High School outbound student to a foreign country for the academic school year, and we host an inbound student from a foreign country at the same time. This has proved to be an enriching experience not only for the students involved, but also for club members, who learn about another country through its student ambassador. We also fund a one-month summer exchange program for outbound students.