HOULTON, Maine – The new Rotary year begins in the month of July and on Monday, July 11, the 103rd year of the Houlton Rotary Club started with new President Steven Fitzpatrick leading Rotarians, both in-person and on zoom, in the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-Way Rotary Test.
After a quick lunch, Fitzpatrick introduced fellow Rotarian Frank Nataluk as this week’s guest speaker, along with his wife, Melissa Nataluk.
The Nataluks provided an update of what The Salvation Army has been doing to assist those in need in the greater Houlton community over the past year. Along with helping many with community food needs, the Salvation Army also helped many with heating assistance over the winter.
In fact, demand was so high for assistance that those heating funds are now depleted. To replenish those funds for the upcoming heating season, the Salvation Army will be hosting its 5th Annual, “The County’s Ride for the Red Shield” event on Saturday, July 16. The event will begin at The Salvation Army building on Court Street, with registration at 9 a.m. and a 3-hour ride starting at 10:15 a.m. The ride will end right back at the Salvation Army with a barbecue lunch and door prizes.
Other upcoming events for the Salvation Army include a Benefit Supper and Auction on July 22 from 4-6 p.m. and the auction to follow; a car wash on July 30th, a Talent Show on August 26th and the annual “Ringing of the Bell” during the holiday season. Ongoing events include a bottle drive, where one can drop off their bottles and cans at 12 Court St.
Other announcements at the weekly Monday meeting included the success of the inaugural International Committee Dessert Auction, which took place on Friday, July 8, at Watson Hall. With over 100 community members attending at some point during the one hour event, Ruba Haddad and Christy Fitzpatrick announced that over $1,500 was raised to support international focused projects or needs.
A big shout out was given to all those who participated, including the members of the newly formed Interact group. Additionally, the chairman of the Auction Committee, Joe Fagnant, announced that meetings and planning had already started for this year’s annual Rotary Radio Auction. This year’s event will take place Monday, Nov. 21 through Wednesday, Nov. 23.
