Causes We Support

Bert Steele and the Steele Family are Recipients of the 2025 Eli Buzas Community Service Award

This esteemed award recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of community and service that Eli Buzas himself championed, and truly, no family better exemplifies these virtues than the Steeles.

Bert Steele, a name synonymous with integrity and a quiet, unwavering commitment to Niwot, has been a pillar of this community for decades. Whether it was through his tireless work on local initiatives, his generous spirit in supporting countless causes, or simply his welcoming presence at the Niwot Market that made everyone feel like a neighbor, Bert's impact has been profound and far-reaching. He consistently demonstrated a selfless dedication to making Niwot a better place, not for personal gain, but for the collective good of all who call it home.

Bert's passing in 2023 left a big hole, but his shoes were quickly filled by his children Seth and Alison who continue to run the Niwot Market with the same spirit of generosity and commitment to the Niwot community.  They have shown us that community building is a shared endeavor, a legacy passed down and nurtured through generations.

The Eli Buzas Award is not just about recognizing past contributions; it's about celebrating the ongoing spirit of generosity and involvement that strengthens our community year after year. The Steele family, through their unwavering dedication and their embodiment of the very best of Niwot, has set an extraordinary example for us all. They remind us of the power of consistent, heartfelt service and the profound impact one family can have on the well-being of an entire community.

True community achievement comes from the heart.  True achievers care about people. They believe in their community and they stay with it over the course of time.  The Steele Family is an outstanding example of providing heart-felt service to their community, each and every day.  

Read more in the Left Hand Valley Courier.

2025 Student of the Year
Congratulations to Mila Barinek, Rotary Club of Niwot's Student of the Year.  Mila served as the Niwot High School student body president this past academic year, maintained an exemplary GPA, received a seal of bi-literacy and plans to study entrepreneurship at the University of San Francisco this fall.  Mila walks the talk of community service and leadership.  We know her star will continue to shine bright!
About Niwot High School
Youth Education and Recognition
The Rotary Club of Niwot honors and recognizes the achievements of students from Niwot High School.  Club members present Rotary Students of the Month Awards to the students who best represent the Rotary ideal of "Service Above Self" each month.
 
Sofia Burks is the May, 2025 Student of the Month.  Sofia started the Helping Hands Club at NHS in her sophomore year which has now grown to over 20 members.  She graduated with a 4.67 GPA and is looking forward to attending CU Boulder this fall.  Sofia's kind and generous spirit will serve her well throughout life.  Congratulations Sofia, we know you will make a big difference in your communities!
 
About Niwot High School
Career and Technical Scholarships
Congratulations to Niwot High School's Jack Dolbeare and Bela Mendes for receiving one of Rotary Club of Niwot's annual $1000 CTE scholarship awards.  Jack plans to study Ag Business at CSU, and Bela plans to study Medicine at the University of Hawaii.  Each took Careeer and Technical classes in addition to normal high school coursework.  Congratulations to both, your future certainly looks bright!  
 
About Niwot High School
Domestic Violence Shelters
The Rotary Club of Niwot actively supports local domestic violence shelters by providing financial support and education.   Recognizing the critical need for safe havens and resources for survivors in our area, our club is committed to fostering safety and raising awareness.  In January, 2025, the Rotary Club of Niwot hosted the 1st annual Burns Dinner, raising $9000 for local domestic violence shelters.    The Rotary Club of Niwot strives to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families impacted by domestic violence within our community.
About SPAN
OUR Center
The Outreach United Resource Center, Inc. (OUR Center) provides critical services such as food, clothing, housing, and utilities to help families achieve self-reliance, offering "a hand up, not a hand out" to residents of the St. Vrain Valley School District.  Rotary Club of Niwot volunteers regularly prepare and serve meals to over 100 families/month.
About OUR Center

Other Youth Programs

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We are active in our sponsorship of RYLA and provide scholarships for CTE students.   Rotary Club of Niwot actively supports Youth Exchange, a program that enables students ages 15-19 to live in another country, attend local school and live with host families.   Learn more about Rotary Youth Exchange.  
 
 
 
Veterans Community Project (VCP)
VCP was founded by a group of combat Veterans who were frustrated by the rampant homelessness and barriers to support faced by their fellow Veterans.  VCP's solution:  a transitional tiny home village in Longmont, CO with wrap-around services designed to address the underlying causes of each Veteran's homelessness and a walk-in outreach center open to all Northern Colorado Veterans in need of assistance, regardless of time served, discharge status or service type.
Learn more about VCP
Colorado Friendship

Rotary Club of Niwot provides ongoing support for Colorado Friendship, a non-profit organization that fights hunger and assists those in need. Their main focus is on providing:

  • Weekend food backpacks for underprivileged children through a school program,
  • Hot meals,
  • Clothing for the homeless population, and
  • Aid to victims of natural disasters.

By providing these essential resources, Colorado Friendship helps alleviate hunger and hardship within the Boulder County community.

About Colorado Friendship
Bert Steele Memorial Bench
Niwot's beloved Bert Steele, owner of the Niwot Market and charter member of the Rotary Club of Niwot, passed away in August 2023.  Friends and local community organizations, including Rotary Club of Niwot, organized the planning, fundraising and installation of the Chevrolet-themed bench at the Niwot Market entrance surrounded by engraved flagstones imparting Bert's sage words.  An estimated 200 people were on hand for the unveiling and sharing memories of the many way Bert supported the Niwot community.  Click here for RCN President Wick Rowland's dedication ceremony remarks. 
Hear Bert's Song and See Slideshow

Community Improvement Projects

Niwot Rotarians never stop paying it forward.  We roll up our sleeves and provide support for river cleanup, building maintenance, collecting winter coats for donation and are active in supporting the many local community events such as Oktoberfest,
Rhythm on the Rails, and Wine About Winter that make Niwot such a wonderful community.
 
 
Rotary International News