Two Rotary clubs in Michigan’s Copper Country are hosting fundraisers this week and next to support local community projects, united by their shared mission of service before self.
Hancock Rotary Club, active in the region for more than 100 years, hosts the World of Wine Tasting and Silent Auction tomorrow evening at the Finnish American Heritage Center. The event supports various local initiatives.
“We have people from faith-based organizations. We have people from Copper Shores. We have people from the city. We have people from all over our area trying to come together and to make our community the best it can be,” said Jennifer Ormsbee, president of Hancock Rotary Club.
Friday evening the Hancock Rotary hosts the International World of Wine Tasting and Silent Auction. The group plans to raise funds to support projects around the city. Hancock Rotary has considered a couple of ideas for improving parks and public spaces, such as possibly building a band shell at the Qunicy Green. The Hancock club’s event begins at 7 pm on Friday at the Finnish American Heritage Center on Quincy Street. Tickets will cost $75 for an individual ticket or $525 for a table seating eight. Hancock’s fundraiser will also support the International Rotary’s End Polio Now program.
Houghton’s Rotary Club is one of the fastest-growing chapters in the Midwest. Brewfest Coordinator Eric Stier says the group has welcomed so many new members, the club has opened a second meeting time for members with very busy schedules.
“We are one of the few groups in the district which includes Wisconsin and most of Wisconsin over into Marquette. Our club is growing,” said Eric Stier, Brewfest coordinator for Houghton Rotary Club. “We actually recently offered an opportunity based on what we were hearing from potential members of not being able to make it to lunch meetings. So we started what’s called the After Five Club.”
Next week, September 26th, the Houghton Rotary hosts Keweenaw Brewfest on the Houghton Waterfront Pier. The event will raise funds for the local Copper Country Angel Mission. Stier shared the club chose to support CCAM in 2026 because of the group’s recent, and historic work, to make sure students are prepared for class, and ability to operate a food pantry for residents living in northern areas of the county.
The two chapters plan to partner in October to host the World Polio Walk on Oct. 24, continuing a strong collaboration between the groups to strengthen the Copper Country’s community.
Purchase tickets for the World of Wine Tasting from Hancock Rotarians, at the Hancock City Hall, or at the door tomorrow night. Those interested in attending the Keweenaw brewfest can find more details about the event online.
