Paso Robles Rotary: 98 Years of Supporting Our Community

Paso Robles

By Camille DeVaul

It has been 98 years since the Paso Robles Rotary Club started supporting our community. The chapter has two fundraisers a year that have become anticipated annual events for Paso Robles — the Winemaker’s Cookoff and the Paso Robles Rotary Golf Tournament.

The idea for bringing a rotary chapter to Paso Robles was initiated in 1922 by J. Valentine Wachtel Jr., who at the time was president of the Paso Robles National Bank. With the help of Homer Hayward of the Salinas Rotary Club, John Williams of the 2nd Rotary District, and Guy Gundaker, the president of Rotary International, the Paso Robles Rotary Club was officially chartered on January 15, 1924. The chapter was then formally presented at a special banquet at the Paso Robles Hot Springs Hotel on March 15, 1924.

The Rotary Club is a non-political and non-religious humanitarian service organization working to “provide community service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill, peace, and understanding in the world.”

So for almost a century, the Paso Robles Rotary Club has dedicated itself to upholding the Rotary Club values. Other charitable community organizations the Paso Robles Rotary Club has supported include The Food Bank, Women’s Shelter, Hospice, Pioneer Day Collections and Old Timers Luncheon, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, and more.

Their biggest event, the Winemaker’s Cookoff, raises funds for local high school senior scholarships. For the past 22 years, the cookoff has raised more than $400,000 for the scholarships. Last year, they awarded nearly $90,000 to high-school seniors. The 23rd Annual Winemaker’s Cookoff is on August 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Paso Robles Event Center.

Stifel Investment Service is the title sponsor for the Winemakers Cookoff.

For more information on the cookoff, visit winemakerscookoff.com

For the last 27 years, the Rotary has been hosting its annual golf tournament ("Tee it up for OUR kids") to benefit youth organizations in Paso Robles. The tournament brings approximately $30,000 per year — all of which is distributed to organizations that support Paso Robles kids before the next tournament.

Throughout the year, the Rotary hears presentations at meetings and finds needs within the youth committee that they can help. Recently, they purchased a much-needed new mascot suit for Paso Robles High School. In addition, they have written checks to the Boys & Girls Club, CASA, Youth Arts Foundation, Paso Robles Children’s Museum, Boy Scouts, Morning Star Youth Ranch, Youth Soccer, Youth Works, and SKILLS USA.

For the last six years, the Rotary has combined the tournament with a silent auction. Their event is expected to draw over 120 players and participating businesses. The auction will be the night before the tournament, May 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Rotary Golf Chair Rick Goree, says “the generous donations from our club members is the reason for such a successful fundraiser.”

Title sponsors for the event are Sky River RV, Idlers Home, and Pacific Western Bank. The "Tee it up for OUR Kids" golf tournament will be Saturday, May 7, at 8:30 a.m. and held at the Hunter Ranch Golf Course.

For more information on the Paso Robles Rotary Golf Tournament, visit pasoroblesrotarygolftournament.com or pasoroblesrotary.org for more information on the Paso Robles Rotary Club.

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