Eagan Rotary Club Turns 25, Plans Celebration

The will be celebrating its silver anniversary with a gala, which will take place at 5 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the .

The gala, which is the rotary club’s biggest annual event, will include dinner, and both live and silent auctions. A professional auctioneer will conduct the live auction, during which gala-goers may bid on a wide range of items, including an extensive selection of wine, a 42-inch widescreen TV, a pair of Sun Country Airlines tickets and an iPad. Big Bob and the High Rollers will perform later in the evening, serenading gala attendees as they dance the night away. 

“It’s a way to give back to the community,” said Mary Lynn Fabro, who is chairman of the gala. 

Rotary president Scott Swenson projects all 330 gala tickets will sell. Swenson estimates the event will raise between $65,000 and $75,000, the majority of which will be donated to approximately 20 charitable organizations.

“The premise of rotary is about providing service, both locally and internationally,” said Swenson. 

A member of the rotary club for 23 years, Swenson says the club has grown drastically during the last two and a half decades, from approximately 20 members to 85. 

This growth has allowed the rotary club to increase their impact on the community. The club sponsors a local Boy Scout troop, recognizes exemplary teachers, public safety professionals and veterans and organizes an exchange student program. Rotary club members mentor underperforming high school students and purchase books to read to elementary school children. The rotary club also helped fund several girls’ schools in Africa. 

One of the rotary club’s signature projects is it's high school ethics workshop program. Established almost 20 years ago through a partnership with the University of St. Thomas, the program teaches business ethics to students through simulated business scenarios. The program has experienced so much success that it is now being implemented by other rotary clubs in the area.

“People want to get involved,” said rotary club member Bob Holton. “I think they want to give back.”

Gala tickets cost $80, $55 of which can be written off. To purchase tickets, call 651-456-5337 or 651-556-1399.