Palgrave Rotary maximizes benefits to the community

October 25, 2013 · 0 Comments

The following article was submitted by the Rotary Club of Palgrave.
The Rotary Club of Palgrave has 41 active members, 13 honorary members and two associate members.
Since 2000, the club has donated to a number of community, vocational and international services. Together, with the help of grants from the Trillium Foundation, the club has raised more than $870,000 for community projects, in excess of $300,000 for youth projects and over $475,000 for international projects. That represents a total of $1,600,000 in 13 years.
In order to qualify for this support, the organization must pass a strict set of criteria. The money must directly support the community program, it must not go to administrative activities. The club also has the ability to access grants from the district called District Grant Funds, whereby the district will match dollar-for-dollar from the club to support local organizations.
There are also global grants which facilitate international partnerships between the club or district and club or district internationally in support of a project. Certain projects that qualify can receive $3 for every dollar raised by the Palgrave club.
Club President Ron McIntosh has two main initiatives this year: Grow and enrich the membership base of the club with men and woman of all ages who want to meet and have fun with like-minded people who also want to get involved and serve the community; and leverage the multiplier effect opportunities available from the district, Rotary International and the foundation.
The club’s next major event will be the Silent Auction Nov. 23 at the Royal Ambassador near Caledon East. For tickets, contact Brenda Alderdice at 905-880-7037 or at alderdice1@rogers.com. Those who wish to donate a gift can call Krysta Cadden at 905-583-1278 or krystacadden@rogers.com. All dollars received from gifts will go to Rotary supported causes and charities.
Rotary International’s most publicized initiative is the eradication of polio. Started in 1988, the Global Eradication Initiative represents the single largest international coordinated public health project to date. The number of polio cases has dropped from 650 in 2011 to 223 in 2012 and 69 to date this year. Rotary International and the Bill and Melinda Foundation have extended the fundraising partnership that will introduce millions of new dollars into the campaign. The Gates foundation will provide a two-for-one match for every dollar that Rotary commits to polio eradication, up to $35 million a year through 2018. The joint effort is called End Polio Now-Make History Today. Its objective is to wipe out the virus by 2018.
Those who have an interest in joining the club can call Club Services Director Peter Swain at 905-583-0124 or contact him by email at pvswain@gmail.com