Arcata Rotary clubs support upgrades to an elementary school playground in Rio Dell and dental clinics in Mexico

A collaboration between Arcata Noon and Arcata Sunrise–the two Arcata Rotary clubs– held the Humboldt Kickapalooza 2023 event in Blue Lake to raise funds for a new playground at Prairie Elementary School in Rio Dell after theirs was damaged by the 6.4 earthquake in December. Along with, raising money for dental clinics to provide children ages five to 14 dental care resources in Mexico.

“I really wanted to find a way to help out and our clubs have been working on doing an international project in Mexico for a while,” said Brian Lovell the President of Arcata Rotary. “So it’s a twofer for us. We’re getting to help out two different communities and there are about 100 people here having the time of their life laughing, playing and enjoying a kid’s game.”

The event was filled with kickball tournaments with six teams. The goal was to raise up to $3,000 for both Rotary projects. 

“This is a product of our community,” Lovell said. “Everybody in this community comes together and does the right thing to help out everybody else in this community. And it’s one of the reasons why I love living in Humboldt.”