Our Recycled Rotarians are back for their fourth year at Runway for Rise!
Renee Vanover, Elise Mariner, Pat Love and Frazer Barr are putting creativity, recycled materials and plenty of Rotary spirit to work for a great cause.
The Recycled Rotarians are back for the 2026 Runway for Rise Recycled Fashion Gala, benefiting Rise Above Violence. This year’s team includes Renee Vanover, Elise Mariner, Pat Love and Frazer Barr, with Elise taking to the runway as the team’s model.
What they are creating this year remains under wraps. Very much under wraps, in fact. Part of the fun of Runway for Rise is keeping the finished creation secret until it makes its debut on the catwalk.
But if history is any indication, the Recycled Rotarians will bring plenty of imagination with them.
Last year, the team transformed wine corks and soda can tabs into an unforgettable ensemble and captured the Catwalk Creative Award, determined by audience vote for the best use of the required recycled materials.
It was creative, clever and wonderfully unexpected.
But beneath the fabulous hats, recycled materials and occasional glue-gun adventures is something much more important.
Service Above Self, runway edition
The Recycled Rotarians participate because the mission of Rise Above Violence closely reflects Rotary’s own commitment to service and strengthening communities.
Rise Above Violence provides advocacy and support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Archuleta County. Volunteers play an enormous role in that work, helping answer the crisis hotline, supporting advocacy efforts, increasing community awareness and making fundraising events such as Runway for Rise possible.
In 2025 alone, Rise volunteers contributed more than 3,000 hours to advocacy, awareness and fundraising.
For Rotarians, that kind of community service feels familiar.
“Service Above Self” is more than Rotary’s motto. It is a commitment to notice where help is needed and find a way to respond.
Sometimes that means scholarships, youth programs, community projects or international service.
And sometimes it involves recycled plastic, an outrageous hat and a runway.
Each member of this year’s team has a reason for participating.
For Pat Love, it is simple: “Supporting an important cause while having fun with friends, what’s not to love?”
Renee Vanover has seen the impact of Rise Above Violence firsthand. “Having had the privilege of knowing people whose lives have been changed by Rise makes it the perfect group to support.”
And Frazer Barr brings his own perspective, and a little humor, to the team: “It’s a fun way to support my community through a good cause, interact with new people, and they needed a token male on the team.”
Together, they are using the fun surrounding Runway for Rise to draw attention to work that matters deeply.
Every vote helps survivors rise
Runway for Rise is more than a fashion show. Teams raise money on behalf of Rise Above Violence, and every contribution helps provide services for survivors in our community.
Even a relatively small donation can make a tangible difference. $10 can help cover a crisis hotline call, while $35 can help fund a youth advocate counseling session.
That means every vote for the Recycled Rotarians represents something far more meaningful than bragging rights on the runway.
It represents help.
It represents advocacy.
And it reminds survivors that their community stands beside them.
The Recycled Rotarians will reveal their 2026 creation at Runway for Rise on Oct. 3.
Until then, the outfit remains a closely guarded secret.
After four years, one thing is certain: never underestimate what a group of Rotarians can accomplish with friendship, imagination, recycled materials and a really good glue gun.
Support the Recycled Rotarians and Rise Above Violence:
Vote for the team at: https://www.riseaboveviolence.org/store/p333/Team_Recycled_Rotarians.html#/, and learn more about Runway for Rise at RiseAboveViolence.org.
Because service looks good on everyone.