Rotary Club Gear Up and Go Adventure a success
Gear Up and Go was a month-long Scavenger Hunt over the course of April, put on by the Medford Morning Rotary Club. This was the 2nd year of the event with 10 teams participating. The goal of the event is to increase awareness of and support the unique small businesses throughout Taylor County that help to make this community special. As a part of the adventure, teams were provided a game card with 24 small businesses â at each business they had to complete a challenge in order to earn a sticker that acknowledged they had visited the business.
Challenges varied from business to business, with some businesses hiding a Rotary sticker for teams to find and other businesses asking historical trivia questions. Michaelâs salon even had teams needing to practice braiding hair on a mannequin! As part of the adventure, teams also earned points by following clues to find local landmarks, stopping by sponsor locations, and purchasing from the small businesses.
This year, the Rotary Club added a new component to the event â in honor of one of the core values of the Rotary Club, âService Above Self,â teams were also able to earn points by participating in service projects or donations to charities in Taylor County. Over the course of the event, teams logged more than 50 hours of community service and contributed about $400 in in-kind donations to local food pantries and other charitable organizations.
Teams were competing for prizes, with points earnedincreasing their chances of winning a $500 cash prize. The top point team was Team âGeezers on the Go,â who visited all of the businesses on the game card and actively involved in the service component. Team âAnd Goâ was the big winner of the night, taking home the $500 cash prize.
âThe Medford Morning Rotary Club owes a big thanks to the many businesses participating in the event,â said president Ben Koch.
Sponsors included Nicolet National Bank, Forward Bank, Culvers, Marilynâs Fire Station, Handelâs Automotive, Taylor Credit Union and Weather Shield.
Installing Officer Dee Habeck hands the gavel to Jackie Gregory, elected as President of VFW Aux. 5729 Medford.SUBMITTED
(Above) Team âSparkle Squadâ visiting Bloominâ Country Greenhouse.
(Right) Team âNVWâ showing Service Above Self after a trash pickup along the City Riverwalk.
Team âHoping We Donât Get Lostâ enjoying a takeout meal from Cravings.
Elected Officers of VFW Auxiliary 5729 are pictured: (seated, l. to r.) Sr. Vice Sharon Strobach, President Jackie Gregory, Jr. Vice Lynn Wichersham. (standing, l. to r.) Installing Officer Dee Habeck, Secretary Debi Beck, Guard Debbie Blasel, Treasurer Donna Nowak, Chaplain Patricia Jorgensen, Conductress Florence Carlisle, and Trustee Jeff Nuernberger.
