Weekly Meetings & Fellowship
October Community Service
Books and Beyond at Harvest Fest - October 18
Join the Rotary Club of Daniel Island in supporting Books and Beyond on Saturday, October 18 at Harvest Fest, presented by the City of North Charleston. Help children and parents select two free books to encourage early literacy. This is a fun, family centered event that makes a big impact. There are two shifts available on October 18. Please click HERE to select the time you're available to volunteer.
Camp Happy Days Bag Packing - October 28
October 28 at 9:00 a.m. at Camp Happy Days 933 Dupont Rd Suite B Charleston - Rotarians will pack about 200 FACT kits (snacks + activity bags) for children and young adults receiving cancer treatments at MUSC. This project is supported by a $1,000 Rotary Grant and provides comfort to kids during long clinic visits. We need 10+ volunteers to make this effort a success. Please join us in this fun, hands-on way to make an impact together.
Please click HERE to select the time you're available to volunteer.
Message from our Director, Amanda Wagner -
Our volunteer calendar is live! We’ve lined up quick “micro” moments after club meetings and bigger signature events—plus brand-new ways to support students at Cainhoy Elementary. We're excited to share these volunteer events with you!
Cainhoy Elementary: Interest Forms Now Open
In addition to our monthly volunteer calendar, we’re exploring new, high-impact ways to support students and staff at Cainhoy Elementary. On our event registration platform, you’ll find quick interest forms to express your interest in future support opportunities.
Browse and sign up here: linktr.ee/danielislandrotary
Community Service Update
Wednesday September 19th, members of the Rotary Club of Daniel Island came together to pack 200+ boxes of food for veterans in our community. These boxes will be distributed later this month at the VA Stand Down for Homelessness event, supporting veterans in need with care and dignity.
We are proud to live out Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, and grateful for the opportunity to give back to those who have given so much.
#RotaryInAction #ServiceAboveSelf #DanielIslandRotary #Veterans #CommunityService
About Us
The Rotary Club of Daniel Island (RCDI) is a 100-member service organization dedicated to giving back through fundraising, volunteerism, fellowship, and learning. Members come from diverse backgrounds—young professionals, new residents, and seasoned leaders—united by a passion for service.
Rotary focuses on seven key causes: peace, disease prevention, clean water, maternal and child health, education, local economies, and the environment. Committees aligned with these areas give members opportunities to serve in ways that match their interests.
RCDI also invests in youth through exchanges, scholarships, and leadership programs, helping students gain skills and global experiences.
The club’s signature fundraiser is the Charleston Duck Race, where 30,000+ rubber ducks compete for $22,000 in prizes. Since its start, the event has raised $2 million for charities serving Lowcountry families.
Meeting Info
The Rotary Club of Daniel Island meets Wednesdays at 7:30 AM (breakfast at 7:15), ending promptly at 8:30. Meetings are held in person at the Daniel Island Club (typically 1st and 3rd Wednesdays) and via Zoom, with guest speakers covering timely topics. Fellowship events are also offered.
Guests are welcome—please email Ben Laaper at ben.laaper@gmail.com
Our 2025–2026 President is Angela Drake.
Meeting Recap
10/8/2024
This past Wednesday was an internal club meeting, with Steve Britt leading the Invocation and Pledge, Alex DeSata sharing his 3-minute story, Bob Schoeder and RCDI Team presenting the Financial Health and Wealth of the Club, along with Evan Murray covering results from the Duck Race and how the funds are put to use. Ed Rominger also provided an exciting update on the Polio Campaign!
Rotary is all about three things: philanthropy, fellowship, and community service. Every year, we host the Charleston Duck Race to raise the funds that make it all possible, supporting scholarships, grants, and local charities doing amazing work.
It’s a fun way to come together, make an impact, and keep our community thriving while supporting causes that matter most. Rotary brings together local professionals and community leaders who want to make a difference, both close to home and around the world. Members focus on service, friendship, and leadership, taking on projects that tackle real issues like hunger, education, and health. We also support global efforts such as polio eradication and disaster relief, all while promoting integrity, understanding, and peace.
For members, Rotary offers the chance to grow as leaders, build meaningful connections, and find purpose through service. Whether it’s mentoring youth, improving schools, or helping families in need, Rotary clubs are all about people coming together to create positive, lasting change in our community and beyond.
If this sounds like something that might be right for you, visit our website: https://www.danielislandrotary.com/
We meet Wednesday mornings at 7:30am and we have a lunch group as well.
Meeting Recap
10/1/2024
This past week we heard from Patrick Woods, Board Member, Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Our connection with the group comes from Ben Laaper who works with this group to select the homes that Bill Greene and his Nail Bangers group then repair.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a global network of volunteers dedicated to helping anyone in need, no matter their background. They’re best known for their home visits, where volunteers meet with people face to face, listen to their stories, and help with essentials like rent, utilities, and food. Beyond that, they run thrift stores, food banks, and disaster relief programs, all focused on easing hardship and bringing hope to struggling individuals and families.
Their work reaches everyone from low-income families and people experiencing homelessness to children who need school support and communities recovering from natural disasters. Recent projects have included emergency shelters, affordable workforce housing, student scholarships, and even a “2nd Chance Bike Drive” that provides transportation for families and individuals trying to get back on their feet.
Whether it’s meals, clothing, housing, or simply kindness, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul adapts to whatever challenges come their way, always finding new ways to serve the most vulnerable and make a real difference in people’s lives. Thank you, Patrick, for the great presentation and all the work you do to change lives right here in our community!
