In 2002, two long-time Oakdale business leaders and members of the Oakdale noon Rotary Club began to look for better ways to serve our community. They desired three things: to offer a more hands-on approach to community service, make that service effort more fun, and to meet at an earlier time, thus not breaking up their day. Mark Thomas and Bill Camp personally recruited people they knew in the area that had shown that desire to roll up their sleeves and really make a difference.

In October of 2002, the first preliminary meeting took place at the Almond Tree restaurant, bringing in around 40 community leaders and others desiring to get involved. By December, the initial 30 members had committed, our charter was secure, and on the 16th of that month, and with the blessings of District 5220 and Rotary International, we became the Oakdale Sunrise Rotary Club.

To celebrate and make this official we kicked things off with a gala evening at the beautiful Almond Pavilion, complete with city officials and visiting Rotarians making us feel welcome into the family.