As spectators gather for the annual Rhododendron Parade, Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary members will lay a track down Monroe Street, then release thousands of numbered golf balls which will race down the hill, just ahead of the first parade unit. The first three balls to the finish line will win cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250. 

For 12 years the money that this club raises from local sponsorships and by selling tickets for the numbered golf balls has been used to provide picture dictionaries for all third grade students in Jefferson County, fund the Rotary International Youth Exchange program, award both academic and vocational scholarships, and support a myriad of local needs ranging from foster family support, Olympic Neighbors, to senior programs. The club also supports Mock Trial, a Port Townsend High School service club, international clean water and sanitation programs and ongoing support for Rotary International’s biggest success story, the work to end polio. This year, in memory of long-time member Consuelo Aduviso Brennan, they added scholarships for youth participating in performing arts. 

At the Port Townsend Farmers Market, the club will have an information booth to sell Running of the Balls tickets and in a new venture, provide heart health awareness information.

In addition to purchasing individual balls, local organizations are encouraged to participate in the Colored Ball Challenge. For $400, 100 colored balls will be included in the event in their name. If one of the colored balls wins, the purchaser agrees to donate the proceeds to the benevolence of their choice.

For more information email PtTownsendSunriseRotary@gmail.com.