South County Rotary Clubs Invite Community to Third Annual Mental Wellness Walk
The Rotary Route returns to the Outlets of San Clemente on May 16
Mental health touches every family in South Orange County — and this May, South County Rotary Clubs are once again turning that shared experience into community action.
The Rotary Route: Paving the Way to Mental Wellness in South OC returns for its third year on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Outlets of San Clemente, located at 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa. The event is a family-friendly walk designed to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and generate direct support for local nonprofits serving residents across South County.
A Walk With Purpose
The Rotary Route is more than a morning stroll — it’s a community statement. Every dollar raised through registration and donations goes directly to local mental wellness organizations making a difference right here in South OC. Benefitting nonprofits include the Wellness & Prevention Center, The Noble Path Foundation, BILY (But I Love You), Shea Center, Partners4Wellness, and others. These organizations provide everything from crisis intervention and counseling to youth outreach and family support programs — services that are vital to the health of our communities.
Now in its third year, the event has grown into a cornerstone of South County’s mental health advocacy calendar, bringing together Rotarians, local families, businesses, and nonprofits around a cause that affects one in five Americans.
How to Participate
There are several ways to get involved. Adult walkers can register for $25, youth ages 4–18 for $10, and children 3 and under walk free. Even four-legged family members are welcome — furry friends can join the walk for a $5 registration. For those who want to show their support but cannot attend in person, a “Sponsor a Walker” option allows you to pay for someone else’s entry and ensure that no one who wants to participate is left out.
In addition to the walk itself, a Health Fair will run alongside the event, featuring nonprofit and for-profit booths with information, resources, and activities centered on health and wellness. Booth space is still available for organizations who want to connect with the community that day.
Get Involved as a Sponsor
Local businesses and organizations looking for meaningful community engagement are encouraged to explore sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship levels range from $500 Community Sponsors to a $20,000 Title Sponsorship, each offering visibility across Rotary District 5320 events, marketing exposure, and recognition from the stage on the day of the event. For businesses that care about the communities they serve, this is an opportunity to put values into action.
Why It Matters
South Orange County is a vibrant and well-resourced region — but mental health challenges do not stop at zip code lines. Anxiety, depression, grief, and addiction affect residents across every neighborhood and income level. Events like The Rotary Route help normalize the conversation around mental wellness while channeling community goodwill into tangible resources for the organizations working on the front lines every day.
As one attendee said simply: “You don’t have to do this alone. Healing happens faster when we rise together.”
Join Us
Whether you lace up your shoes and walk, sponsor a neighbor, set up a health fair booth, or simply spread the word — your participation matters. Together, South County can continue paving the way to mental wellness, one step at a time.
Registration and information: givsum.com/opportunities/the-rotary-route-south-county-walk-for-mental-wellness-50f723b8e
Questions? Contact South County Chair Kristin Epperson at kristinlagunaniguelrotary@gmail.com or (949) 433-9405.