Marshfield Rotary members gathered in the Erdman Lobby at the Laird Center for Medical Research to celebrate a year of impact and officially pass the gavel to the club's incoming leadership. The evening, themed Unite for Good, closed out Darla Leick's year as Club President and installed Kaelie Gomez, Executive Director of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation, as President for 2026–2027. While we celebrated these two leaders, there was plenty more to be proud of…
The night doubled as a celebration of what the club accomplished together over the past year. Between the club's two signature fundraisers — the Rose Sale and Wine, Cheese & Chocolate — members raised more than $27,000, funding everything from local scholarships to a new swing set at Griese Park. Six area students were recognized with Service Above Self and Work-Based Scholarships, and the club shared an update on a new Rotary Scholarship Fund, established through the Marshfield Area Community Foundation, with a goal of permanently funding all five club scholarships each year once it reaches $125,000.
The club also recognized the reach of Rotary Winter Wonderland, its marquee community event, which this year alone distributed $50,000 to local food pantries and collected more than 28,000 food items — bringing its total impact since 2006 to over $710,000 distributed and nearly a million food items collected.
Two organizations received direct support from the evening's giving: the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield received a $7,000 donation, and the Central Wisconsin Catch-A-Ride Pilot Program — a Leadership Marshfield project developed in partnership with the Wood County Health Department and Feonix Mobility Rising — received $12,000 after its $7,000 gift was matched with a $5,000 District 6250 Grant.
In a new tradition this year, past Club Presidents joined together at the front of the room, each briefly reflecting on their year before passing the gavel down the line to Darla, who then formally installed Kaelie as the club's incoming President.
As Executive Director of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Kaelie brings a deep understanding of community investment and nonprofit partnership to the role. She was joined by an incoming Board of Directors that includes Teri Wilczek as President-Elect, among other returning and new committee leaders.
Marshfield Rotary members also recognized eight new members inducted this year, along with 15 members who achieved or elevated their status as Paul Harris Fellows, a recognition of $1,000 or more in lifetime giving to The Rotary Foundation. Longtime Foundation Treasurer Dave Valle was honored in absentia with a Paul Harris Fellow +3 in recognition of his years of behind-the-scenes stewardship of the club's finances.
The evening closed the way Marshfield Rotary closes every chapter…by looking ahead. With a new President, a new Board, and a full slate of community projects already underway, the club is carrying its momentum straight into the 2026–2027 Rotary year.
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