ESCANABA — An annual fundraiser is back this weekend at the Island Resort & Casino.

On Saturday, the Escanaba Rotary is hosting the annual Vino at the Casino fundraiser, the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.

“We invite local businesses and community members to purchase a table, which they can have up to eight people sitting at the table, which gives them unlimited food and drink for the evening,” said Escanaba Rotary Board Member and Chairperson for Vino at the Casino Doug Leisenring.

Guests are treated to a wine tasting with 21 different wines available. For an additional $5, five different premium wines are also available.

If wine isn’t your thing, grab a glass of Michelob Ultra or Upper Hand’s Deer Camp.

Raffles and auction items will be available, and all proceeds will go to Escanaba Rotary, which will donate the funds to the community.

According to Leisenring, the event is sold out. Roughly 400 people, including guests and rotarians, will attend.

“It’s really become our major fundraiser. We’ve raised over $25,000 at the event the last several years. A couple of years, we’ve been going over $30,000,” Leisenring said.

The money raised by the group is distributed to the community. He added that individuals or organizations can submit an application to be considered for a donation from the Escanaba Rotary.

Leisenring provided insight into the Escanaba Rotary, its work, how it helps, and how to become a member.

Escanaba Rotary is a civic group made up of local community members who aim to maintain and improve life in Escanaba. The group meets once a week at Hereford & Hops, where a speaker is invited to address the group.

Recent speakers featured Karen Moore of Enhance Escanaba and State Representative Dave Prestin.

The Escanaba Rotary focuses a lot of its attention on supporting students in the community.

“The better we can help our students be prepared for life after high school, the stronger our community will be. So, that’s why so much of our funds go into programs to help students, but also in other programs,” Leisenring said.

He pointed to future projects, saying rotary has committed $15,000 for upgrades at Rose Park next year.

“We think that will benefit a lot of kids,” he said.

If you or your organization are interested in joining Escanaba Rotary, contact a member and attend a weekly meeting.

Once attending at least three meetings, those interested can submit an application. If approved, you are officially a rotarian.

“We have around 32 full-time members and approximately 20 corporate members,” Leisenring said.

Leisenring encourages others to get involved with Escanaba Rotary, saying it was a no-brainer for him to join.

“I welcome anyone to contact me or go to our website and fill out the contact page. We’d love to see you at a future meeting if you’d like to join us and learn what rotary is all about.”

To learn more, visit www.escanabarotary.org.