Event to aid Guatemala project
PRESQUE ISLE – During the weekend of Nov. 13-15, Area One Rotary Club leaders from Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Fort Kent, Limestone, Mars Hill, Presque Isle and Washburn, along with nearby Rotary Clubs from Houlton and New Brunswick, will gather at the University of Maine at Presque Isle to learn more about Rotary International (RI) and the process required to be in compliance as a Rotary Club.
After the Saturday training on Nov. 14, the Area One Future Visions Committee will host an informational dinner and silent auction fundraiser for Project GIIVE (Guatemalan Infrastructure Improvement Venture).
The public is invited to join Rotarians at the Presque Isle Fish & Game Club, 583 Parsons Road, beginning at 4:30 p.m. for a vegetarian and beef stew dinner, $15 per person, and to hear more about a Future Visions Grant being jointly drafted by Area One Rotary Clubs and several New Brunswick clubs.
Julia Phelps, Rotary International director, will bring a welcome and direct message of how Rotary International, even a local Club, is a “Gift to the World.”
Peter and Carolyn Johnson from the Rotary Club in Yarmouth will tell about projects they have seen in Guatemala and how this involvement changed their lives. Carolyn serves as RI Assistant Coordinator for Zone 32, southern Maine and New England, and recently visited the proposed Project GIIVE communities while overseeing literacy activities, work with primary teachers, and small water projects funded through grants received by Districts in Zone 32.
Rotary District 7810 Governor Wayne Wornes and Foundation Chairperson Rick Rogers will also address Rotary’s emphasis on water and sanitation issues.
The planned Future Visions Grant is proposed to meet the needs of a village near the city of Monterrico, Guatemala, in cooperation with the Guatemalan Rotary Club La Ermita. The project funding goal for this initial project is about $50,000 with the implementation performed in stages and Future Visions GIIVE Projects will continue to be developed for years to come.
The initial request will be for water filtration devices to provide safe drinking water and eco-stoves to provide healthy home cooking facilities. The grant would also include improved sanitation facilities with eco-toilets. The GIIVE group of Rotary Clubs is planning to submit its grant application by July 2016. If approved and funded, the clubs will be sending Rotarians and vocationally-trained individuals to Monterrico, Guatemala, in the spring of 2017.
The informational event is slated from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person. Silent Auction items will consist of authentic Guatemalan apparel, jewelry, coffee and other items. Proceeds from the evening will be given to the Future Vision GIIVE 2016 Project. To RSVP, please contact Kevin McCartney at rotary7810futurevision@gmail.com or 492-4766 by Nov. 8.
The Presque Isle Rotary Club maintains a membership of approximately 100 individuals and is part of a worldwide organization of community volunteers. The slogan of Rotary is “Service Above Self” and the club seeks to live up to this ideal to support a variety of causes for the betterment of the community.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about Rotary and its ideals can visit www.PresqueIsleRotary.org or contact any Rotary member.
