Rotary Club’s generosity benefits area organizations
Much of the close to $10,000 raised by McMinnville Breakfast Rotary Club at its recent Charity Gala was distributed to local charities yesterday at the club’s weekly meeting at First United Methodist Church.
“Helping people in our community, this is what we do,” said Breakfast Rotary member Peggy Bratcher. “It’s a joy and a pleasure for us to work together and make an impact on the local and international levels. There’s no better feeling.”
The club’s Charity Gala has been held annually for the past five years. It is held as a fund-raiser so the club might be able to assist worthy programs in the community. This year’s gala, according to Breakfast Rotary president Judith Roney, was by far the club’s most profitable ever.
Benefiting from Breakfast Rotary’s fund-raising efforts this year are a total of five local charities. They include the Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, the McMinnville Housing Authority activity centers, Families in Crisis and Kids of the Community. Roney said these organizations were chosen by the club’s board of directors from nominations made by club members. There are no restrictions on how the donations can be spent.
“We appreciate everything everyone does for us. Thank you,” said Habitat for Humanity president and club member Randy Garrison, who noted his group just dedicated its most recently completed house this past weekend and hopes to begin construction of another in the fall.
While the majority of organizations receiving money have received money in the past, Kids of the Community, a proactive group formed to give special guidance and attention to juvenile delinquents, foster children and other at-risk children, saw its first donation from the club. Organizers Barry Dishman and Judge Larry Ross both thanked the club.
“Without the support of groups like you we can’t exist,” said Dishman.
Additional money raised by the Breakfast Rotary Club Charity Gala went toward such international projects as the Rotary Foundation’s Polio Plus program, which facilitates Rotary International’s thrust to eradicate polio.
“Thanks to all of the people who supported the Charity Gala through either their donations or ticket purchases. If not for their generosity we couldn’t do the good work we do,” said Roney.