“This is a wonderful thing for our community because it’s not only for tourists and visitors, but local children will use it,” Rotary Club president Sam Lightbody said, adding that it will be a relief for parents browsing stands at the summer farmers market or enjoying outdoor concerts.

One of the club’s heartwarming initiatives, Rotary Giving Tree, furnishes Christmas gifts to children whose parents who can’t afford them; and provides a Christmas meal. The yearly funds for many of the organization’s local projects come from the annual Gold Raffle and Auction, where they raffle off $2,500 in pure gold. This year’s event will be held on Jan. 25th at Buck's T-4 Restaurant.

Big Sky Rotary Club's 2017/2018 accomplishments include installing solar-powered 911 emergency call boxes in the Gallatin Canyon; funding a new kayak launch at Moose Creek Campground; providing 18 LeapPads, three bulletin boards and two projectors to Morningstar Learning Center; funding recycle bins for the Music in the Mountains concerts; leading local high school students to Nepal on a mission trip; and funding new digital library books for Ophir Elementary.