Champaign West Rotary was the recipient of a Champaign-Urbana International Humanitarian Award on October 16, 2008.  The Club received the award for its work in Azacualpa, Honduras.

The Champaign West Rotary Club (CWR) was chartered in 1978.  The Club's mission is to provide its members opportunities for friendship, fellowship and personal growth; to respond to the needs of the youth of our community; and to improve the greater world community through individual and club support of Rotary International programs.

CWR has been involved in numerous local community projects, the largest of which being the Presenting Sponsor/Organizer of the St. Jude's Hospital "Bike-A-Thon" as well as the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Champaign County.  The Club has also supported numerous international projects through donations to Rotary International's Annual Giving Program and the Polio Plus project that has resulted in the near eradication of polio worldwide.  CWR has also helped raise funds for humanitarian projects sponsored by other Rotary Clubs in countries outside the US.

CWR's first major international project of its own was the construction of a cottage to house eight homeless children and two house parents in Azacualpa, Honduras.  To construct the home, Champaign West Rotarians raised over $20,000, most of which was used to build the cottage and the remainder donated to sponsor a child for one year (food, clothing, etc.).  For the cottage's construction, the club not only provided the necessary funding, but its members travelled to Azacualpa and worked on the site.  In addition, the Club has made a long-term commitment to the Children's home and Azacualpa.   A playground fencing project has been funded, and periodic shipments of supplies and equipment have been made.  Planned projects include the funding of a college scholarship program for children currently living in the Children's Home, and the funding of a septic system, designed by a CWR member to serve 15 homes in the town of Azacualpathat currently lack sewer facilities..