The Rio Grande Rotary Club is one of three Rotary Clubs in Las Cruces that helps bridge many gaps in our society that might otherwise go unattended. With a mantra of “Service above Self,” the Rio Grand Rotary Club, which meets on Tuesday at lunch, conducts several fund raising events annually, which include:

• The District Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program which sends local juniors and seniors to leadership camp near Mountainair, NM each summer.
  
  
• For over 15 years Rio Grande Rotary has run a huge Yard Sale benefiting Mesilla Valley Hospice. Proceeds average about $15,000 annually.
  
  
• They participate in the "Keep Las Cruces Beautiful" campaign by maintaining a median section on Avenida de Mesilla.
  
  
• They support Dress-A-Child every November and hold an annual Silent Auction to raise funds for it. Proceeds average about $12,000 annually.
  
  
• They have hosted international exchange students from both Holland and Germany.
  
  
• They sponsor a Student Rotarian of the Month program from September to May through which outstanding seniors from four local high schools attend weekly meetings as guests of Rio Grande Rotary, enabling the group to meet the leaders of tomorrow.
  
  
• They initiated a Silent Art Auction in support of their international project in Uganda – an orphanage for children whose parents died of AIDS, raising $3,000 for this project in 2006.
  
  
• They participate annually in the International Tri-District Conference where their District 5520, District 5470 in Southern Colorado and District 4100 in Northern Mexico join together. At the November 2006 conference in Juarez, their club committed $5,000 to three matching grant projects in Mexico. Funds to support this project now come from their Annual Art Auction.
  
  
• They have an ongoing international matching grants project with several Rotary clubs in District 4110 in Northern Mexico.
  
  
• They support The Rotary Foundation annually with an average giving that exceeds $15,000.

What’s more is the true sense of compassion you feel from this group who will tell you they do all of these things and more while having “FUN!” Because an organization is only as good as its members, the Rio Grande Rotary is lucky to have such an eclectic group of generous souls.

Don Buck, a long standing member of the Rio Grand Rotary Club, is a shining example of what it means to truly be a “good Samaritan.” Don originally hails from upstate New York, but judging from his enthusiasm and extreme dedication to the community, you’d think he was a native to our Land of Enchantment. Don joined the US Navy in 1943, serving almost a decade and a half, before he was commissioned over to the US Army in 1957, where he served as an officer, eventually relocating to White Sands Missile Range. Upon retiring in 1973, he decided to set down roots in Las Cruces and purchased a house in 1974. But, retirement for this active military man did not mean becoming a couch potato or watching the world go by without him. So, with the compassionate heart of a true philanthropist, he began actively serving to better the city he now calls home.

Don served for 20 years as executive director of the United Way of Doña Ana County – before it became the United Way of Southwest New Mexico. He’s also served on numerous boards including Picacho Hills Country Club and Timberon RV Park. He’s assisted on the Military Affairs Committee for the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Conquistadores as well as a member of the Military Officers Association of America. Don has spent 16 years as a board member and committee chair for the Whole Enchilada Fiesta and takes pride in participating in historical events, such as the annual Bataan Memorial Death March. In 1983, Don joined the Rio Grande Rotary Club and began working his way up through the ranks. Now, as a senior Rotarian, he uses the club as a platform for his charitable deeds. If there is a ground breaking, ribbon cutting or goat roping anywhere in the city, you are likely to run into Don Buck. And, yet when you talk to Don, you’ll find he boasts – not about himself – but, about his city. As he simply puts it, “Las Cruces is one of the best kept secrets in the world.” Don exemplifies what the word “community volunteer” means.