(Courtesy photo/Rotary Club of San Benito)
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
The Rotary Club of San Benito welcomed more than 120 attendees to its inaugural Lotería Fundraiser on Saturday, July 18, 2026, held at the San Benito Cultural Arts & Heritage Museum.
Linda De La Rosa, director of public image for the Rotary Club of San Benito, said the event was created to bring the community together through a beloved Mexican tradition and to raise funds for service projects benefiting San Benito and communities beyond the local area.
The fundraiser sold out. Guests participated in several rounds of traditional Lotería and enjoyed a light lunch, fellowship and excitement throughout the afternoon.
More than 30 gift prizes were awarded, compliments of contributions from local businesses, fellow Rotary clubs and individual donors.
De La Rosa said one memorable contribution came from Ryan Monsevalles, a San Benito native who now practices law in Wisconsin and donated a prize to the fundraiser.
“Their generosity showed that support for our hometown extends far beyond Texas, making the day even more meaningful,” De La Rosa said.
Funds raised through the Lotería Fundraiser, along with grants from the Rotary Foundation, will support local and international service projects.
De La Rosa said those efforts include community improvement initiatives, educational scholarships, youth programs, humanitarian projects, and PolioPlus, Rotary’s global campaign to eradicate polio.
The Rotary Club recognized its primary sponsors: the City of San Benito, Mesquite Treatment Center, Randall P. Crane, Steve Guerra, and Montalvo Dental Esthetics.
De La Rosa also thanked the event’s donors, volunteers, fellow Rotary clubs, local businesses and community partners for their time, contributions and enthusiasm, which helped make the fundraiser possible.
“The overwhelming success of our inaugural Lotería Fundraiser exceeded our expectations and reinforced the incredible generosity within our community,” De La Rosa said. “Seeing the event sell out and witnessing so many people come together to support Rotary’s mission was truly inspiring.”
Based on the enthusiastic response, De La Rosa said the Rotary Club of San Benito looks forward to making the Lotería Fundraiser an annual tradition and to continuing to raise funds that strengthen the community through service.
The projects support Rotary’s “Service Above Self” mission.
Founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1905 by budding attorney Paul Harris as a way to foster fellowship and headquartered in nearby Evanston, Rotary International is a global network of over 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders.
Operating under the motto “Service Above Self,” members belong to autonomous local clubs that volunteer to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, support education, and grow local economies.