Successful Rotary projects seem to occur when Service Above Self and the spirit of Rotary fellowship work together. After a tumultuous year of COVID-19 negatively impacting both these tenets, it was a blessing when the idea was put forth in the Silverdale Rotary Club to have a small fundraiser for clean water.
Plans for the “Wine to Water” fundraiser were adjusted several times to account for health protocols; resulting in the event being moved outdoors and the guest list being restricted to area Rotarians. The result of some creative planning and organization was a fun, engaging and successful fundraiser occurring on September 30, 2021. The event raised $2,000 to support water projects in the Dominican Republic and Africa. As important, the event also raised the spirits of the two dozen attendees.
“This is what we needed after COVID – it felt like Rotary again!” exclaimed Silverdale Rotary Club President-Elect Cathy Bisaillon. A sentiment shared amongst the attendees.
The guests enjoyed tastings of seven different wines while snacking on personalized charcuterie boards – a combination of wonderful tastes which added to the conversation and kept the cool Fall evening temperatures at bay for the duration of the three-hour event.
Over the years the Silverdale Rotary Club has partnered with two Silverdale-based international relief organizations, Children of the Nations and Walk in the Light, supporting children and villages in the Dominican Republic as well as several African nations. The Club’s continued efforts have focused on water filtration and irrigation systems, sanitation, and programs specific to the support of children.
The event was attended by representatives of both relief organizations who shared intimate stories of their experiences working in these impoverished communities.
As the sun set and empty plates and cups were cleared, the warmth of the evening with fellow Rotarians making a difference-even in a small way-reminded us that we are People of Action, and we are stronger together.
