What started as a fundraiser has become an incredible legacy of giving back to our community. Since its inception, Rotary LobsterFest has raised over $1.2 million, supporting local organizations and projects that make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors.
From $139,792 for Sancy Shaw Memorial Field to $72,798 for Routt County Crisis Support, $75,584 for Yampa Valley Rise, $101,512 for Advocates of Routt County, $156,349 for Northwest Colorado Health's Home Health Care, $250,000 for REPS, and this year, over $400,000 for LiftUp of Routt County, the impact of LobsterFest reaches far beyond one evening of fun and fundraising.
Food for Thought: Sometimes it's easy to focus on the work that goes into making an event successful and forget the bigger picture. LobsterFest is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together with a shared purpose. Every ticket sold, every sponsorship secured, and every hour volunteered contributes to something much greater.
As Rotarians, we should be incredibly proud of this legacy. LobsterFest isn't just a fundraiser — it's Service Above Self in action, year after year.
Weekly Meeting Recap - October 6, 2026
Good News: $429 collected for our scholarship fund - Thank you, Joe Tecce, for leading Good News and all Rotarians for contributing!
Greeters: Brian Krill and Jeff Wingate
Lunch Provided By: Winona's
Announcements:
Pints for Polio - This is our Rotary social and a great little fundraiser for the eradication of polio. See below for more information.
Dictionary Project - Dictionaries are in and Kim Hix our Chair for our Third Grade Dictionary Project is looking for a couple more volunteers. See below for a link to sign up.
Roadside Clean Up - We're cleaning up our adopted section of highway on Thursday. Teresa reported that we have enough volunteers - so thank you for volunteering!
LobsterFest - LobsterFest was a HUGE success this year. Since inception, we have rasied over 1.2 million for local non-profits. Thank you to the committee, Rotarians, sponsors, and everyone that helps make this event so successful each year. Check out the press release below written by Dan Austin.
Turkey Bingo -We are again partnering with the American Legion and VFW for TURKEY BINGO that will happen on Saturday, November 21st. Please Save the Date!
Program: We hosted our annual election forum. We heard from uncontested candidate for Routt County Commissioner Sonja Macy and uncontested candidate for Routt County Sheriff, Doug Scherer. We also heard from Luck Phillips from Friends of Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority about voting YES on 7A to fund the YVRTA.
Next Meeting: New Member talks from Amy Charity and Kelly Becker. We'll be meeting at the Community Center as usual.
PINTS FOR POLIO:
World Polio Day is October 24th. Our Club, along with the Ski Town Morning Rotary Club, is hosting a fun social and fundraiser to raise awareness and generate funds to help continue to eradicate polio through PINTS FOR POLIO.
What: Pints For Polio
What: Rotarians & Community come together to raise funds and awareness about the eradication of polio
When: October 24th 4pm-6pm
Where: Mountain Tap Brewery
A little more: A portion of every pint or pizza purchased at this social event will go towards the eradication of polio thanks to the generousity of Mountain Tap Brewery.
We also plan to have some fun door prizes, etc, so get this on your calendar and plan to bring a family member, friend, colleague, etc with you. More to come!
Upcoming Opportunities for Service:
3rd Grade Dictionary Project:
Each year, to promote literacy, our club provides a hard-copy dictionary to every third-grade student in Routt County. Our members personally visit each local elementary school and distribute the dictionaries to the students. Our club has been doing this project for 20 years and has distributed over 6,000 dictionaries during that time.
We still need a few more people to sign up for this, so if you're interested, please signup by clicking here or reaching out to Kim Hix.
Roadside Clean Up:
Tomorrow, Thursday Oct 8th, we have a crew of Rotarians cleaning up our adopted section of highway. We already have plenty of volunteers, but passing this along to remind you if you signed up. Thank you, Teresa Weinman, for organizing this service opportunity!
Rotary LobsterFest Press Release:
Rotary Lobsterfest Raises over $400,000 – Sets New Record
Success begets success! In its 7th year, the Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs’ (Colorado) Lobsterfest set a new record in benefiting Routt County’s 501(c)3 organizations. The club’s 2026 edition raised over $400,000 to benefit LiftUp of Routt County, following on the heels of its 2025 event which netted over $250,000 for REPS (Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide) and Rotary charities. Since its inception in 2019, the Rotary Club’s Lobsterfest event has raised over $1.2 million for the Yampa Valley.
Lobsterfest 2026 was held August 22 at Bob Adams Airport in Steamboat Springs. Over 300 guests were delighted to receive a full dinner featuring lobsters flown in specifically for the event and served by Steamboat Meat and Seafood Company. A paddle raise, silent auction, and music by Chamberlain Birch added to the festive atmosphere at the gala.
LiftUp Routt County is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, where it serves 1 in 7 of our Routt County neighbors via two food banks; emergency financial assistance for housing, medical, utility, and other costs; case worker support; thrift store vouchers; rocket pack snacks; and scholarships. They also operate a donation center for gently used clothing and goods.
Inspired in part by the overwhelming community support demonstrated through the Rotary Lobsterfest, Lobsterfest’s presenting sponsor, Yampa Valley Bank and its shareholders, have announced a combined $100,000 gift to LiftUp of Routt County’s Capital Campaign and the expansion of its Steamboat Springs facility.
Yampa Valley Bank’s gift and the community support surrounding the Rotary Lobsterfest also inspired an anonymous donor to contribute an additional $50,000 matching donation, bringing the total impact to over $400,000 for LiftUp’s Capital Campaign.
“Rotary’s Lobsterfest event for LiftUp and the incredible community support surrounding it were really the impetus — the igniter — for the Bank to take our capital campaign donation to the next level,” said Yampa Valley Bank President PJ Wharton.
“Yampa Valley Bank and our shareholders have long been impressed by the great work LiftUp does throughout Routt County,” Wharton added. “Seeing the community rally around LiftUp through Rotary Lobsterfest, along with the extraordinary response to the Capital Campaign, made us want to do something significant.”
The gift builds on the momentum generated by Rotary Lobsterfest and a community-wide Capital Campaign that has now received support from more than 300 donors representing a broad cross-section of the Yampa Valley.
In 2025, LiftUp announced plans to nearly double the size of its Steamboat Springs facility in response to growing community needs and limited space. The expansion will strengthen LiftUp’s ability to serve individuals and families throughout Routt County for years to come.
“This incredible outpouring of support reflects the strength and generosity of our community,” said Sue Fegelein, Executive Director of LiftUp of Routt County. “Rotary’s Lobsterfest helped shine a spotlight on LiftUp, bring people together around our mission, and build tremendous momentum for this campaign.”
“We are deeply grateful for every donor, volunteer, Rotary member, sponsor, and supporter who believes in LiftUp’s mission and future.”
Tara Weaver, the president of the Steamboat Springs Rotary Club, stated, “The success of the Rotary Lobsterfest — and the additional giving it helped inspire — demonstrates what can happen when local organizations, businesses, donors, volunteers and community members come together behind a shared cause.”
Tara continued, “Together, Rotary, LiftUp and the Yampa Valley community are helping ensure LiftUp can continue serving our neighbors for generations to come.”
Consider Applying To Join The Rotary Board:
From Immediate Past President Debbie Aragon, our Nominating Committee Chair this year:
Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of the Best Board of Directors in Town!
We are accepting applications/nominations for the July 1, 2027 Steamboat Rotary Board of Directors, which is a two-year commitment. If you are interested in serving:
as President-Elect, Secretary, or a Board member, please complete the attached application and return it to me by October 16th.
Board meetings are just once a month, normally the 3rd Monday of each month, and include a yummy lunch!
I have personally served on the Board twice and have thoroughly enjoyed it. What a great way to really understand the workings of our great club!
Respectfully submitted,
Your Past President, Debbie Aragon
Rotarian Shout-Outs:
Chancie Keenan and Chuck Cerasoli for stepping up and taking over leadership of our Interact Club. Kuddos and gratitude to Ashley Kane for being our lead of Interact for many years.
Teresa Weinman - We formed a Community Service Committee this year to be more intentional and organized about our service projects. Teresa stepped up to Chair this committee. She also organized our roadside clean up this week.
Carol Johnson and Ashley Kane - These ladies order and organize lunch every week for our Rotary meeting. They order, pick up, setup and clean up every week which is a huge undertaking. Paula Black also helps with the setup and cleanup and keeping everything organized. Thank you, Ladies!!
Rotary Volunteers at the FREE Summer Concert Series - Big shout out to Michelle Ganci, Karen Wray, Andrew Csysz, Teresa Weinman, Bill Steeleman, Angie Gamble, Kate Wennogle, Tara Weaver and Chuck Cersasoli. We helped collect $3,025 for the concert series to help keep it free!
Rotary 5440 District:
Make the most of your Rotary membership.
Whether you're new to Rotary or want a refresher, our Welcome to Rotary webinar on October 14th at 10am will help you discover ways to get involved, build connections, and find opportunities that match your interests.
