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Not often do you meet and listen to someone who can capture an audience and make a majority of the room cry, and we had this with Tom Thibodeau when he spoke about The Place of Grace in March. He touched on need for places for the homeless and economically disadvantage to get a meal and obtain the basic feeling of being human. It led me to ponder lately on a simple but powerful idea: What is home?
We often think of home as a place—a house, a town, a region, or even a country. But the longer I sit with it, the more I believe that home is something deeper. It isn’t defined by walls or geography. It’s defined by people. It’s found in the relationships we build, the care we show, and the sense of belonging we create for one another.
In many ways, home is a state of mind.
I’ve been reminded of this through conversations with many of you, and with others in our community. I’ve spoken with people who have traveled great distances across states and across the world to put down roots here in the La Crosse area. What stands out in those conversations isn’t just why they came, but why they stayed. Again and again, it comes back to the people—the connections, the kindness, the willingness of others to welcome them in.
There’s a lyric from my favorite band, The Head and the Heart that captures this beautifully: “Mama once told me , “You’re already home where you feel loved.” The line reminds me that home is not something we locate, it’s something we cultivate.
And that’s exactly what Rotary does.
Through our service, we help create that feeling of home in our community. Whether it’s supporting local initiatives, showing up for neighbors in need, or simply extending a hand of friendship, we help turn a place into a community where people feel they belong. It is clubs like Rotary and members like you that transform La Crosse from just a place on the map into a place people are proud to call home.
We are incredibly fortunate to have the relationships we do within this club and throughout our community that make the La Crosse area feel like home. Those connections are not accidental; they are built through service, care, and a shared commitment to something bigger than ourselves.
Each act of service, each conversation, each moment of care is a way we extend that feeling of “home” to others. And just as importantly, we create it for each other within this club.
Thank you for the many ways you continue to make Rotary—and our community—a place where people feel welcomed, supported, and truly at home.
Change a life - maybe even your own. Host a Rotary Youth Exchange Student!
We’re looking for three host families in the La Crosse area for the 2026–27 school year. Our student is a 16-year-old boy from Argentina who enjoys sports and music and he’s ready to experience life in Wisconsin! Each family hosts for approximately 3 months between August (2026) and July (2027), offering a unique opportunity to share your daily life and traditions, experience a new culture right at home, and create a lifelong connection.
Interested in becoming a host family or learning more?
Email us at: lacrosse@rotaryafterhours.org or send us a message!
Help make this life-changing experience possible - for you and for our student!
RAHtarians cast their Shark Bucks to decide our club’s next signature project and it was a close one, with each project separated by only a couple of percentage points. All five pitches were thoughtful, impactful to our local community, and rooted in RAH service, but only one could take the top spot.
And the winning RAH Shark Tank 2026 project is…
........
Building a new swing set and creating a peaceful outdoor space to offer safety, healing, and a sense of normalcy for children and individuals staying at New Horizons, pitched by Jason.
Using $5,000 from our Ugly Sweater 5K proceeds and applying for a Rotary District 6250 matching grant, we’ll be working to bring this $10,000 project to life.
New Horizons provides shelter and advocacy for victims of domestic violence in our area. Safe play opportunities help children experiencing trauma and displacement regulate their emotions and rebuild stability.
Congratulations to RAHtarian Jason for pitching the winning project! RAH is excited to support New Horizons and bring this project to life in the upcoming Rotary year. Let’s get to work!
RAH was at All Star Lanes yesterday stirring things up at Bikers Against Child Abuse’s Soup Cook-off Fundraiser.
Jason’s chili brought home 2nd place and the RAH team (Aaron, Sophia, Chelsea and Brad) was right behind with a 3rd place finish!
BACA is a great organization, and we’re always happy to support their mission. Their members may look like an intimidating bunch when they pull up on their motorcycles, but they have hearts of gold-working hard to create a safer environment for abused children and empower them to feel less afraid of the world.
Looking forward to competing for the golden ladle again next year!
Bravo, bravo! Our RAH family showed up to support Brandon and Dustin in “Come From Away”
It hit home, taking us back to a time we’ll never, ever forget. We saw “Service Above Self” come to life on stage. When the world stopped on 9/11 and air traffic was grounded, the small town of Gander, Newfoundland welcomed 38 planes/7,000 strangers - opening their hearts, homes, and grills.
No time to plan. They chose unity, kindness, and service. It’s what Rotarians strive to bring to every community we serve.
Bravo to the cast and crew and especially our RAHkstars Dustin and Brandon! Thanks to LCT for having RAH as a Welcome to the Bluffs Community Group!
A big thanks to Lost Island Wine for hosting us with beer and wine flights, a tour and some fun trivia. We love visiting small local businesses that support RAH efforts.
We raised a little money to support End Polio Now, and had a great time with everyone who came out and brought their friends.
Cheers to another step closer to ending polio for good!
Change a life - maybe even your own. Host a Rotary Youth Exchange Student!
who enjoys sports and music and he’s ready to experience life in Wisconsin! 
We saw “Service Above Self” come to life on stage. When the world stopped on 9/11 and air traffic was grounded, the small town of Gander, Newfoundland welcomed 38 planes/7,000 strangers - opening their hearts, homes, and grills. 
. 
Barre Park
