To the Editor:
Despite the COVID challenges, we accomplished a lot in serving the community. From the very successful yard sale and 5k race to a very active wood splitting season to the popular new art and agriculture tour to the year’s end Christmas for Children and senior luncheon, where we served 100 to-go meals. The final event of the year was packing 39 complete turkey dinners (with all the fixings) and, with the help of the SAD 44 bus drivers, they were distributed to families in need. The Rotarian event chairs and members have stepped up to make it all happen. The proceeds from the very popular yard sale make the annual scholarship program possible. This past June, the club awarded $6,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors from the Bethel region.
While the club was limited in the in-person gatherings, the ones we had were very enjoyable. Key ones included the meeting in May at Mahoosuc Guide Service, the carport social at Michele’s, and the especially popular social at Rotarian Brenda Blond’s home.
The club added several new members in the past year, and all of them have been active in supporting our projects.
Thanks to our successful fundraising, the club has been able to award grants for such things as Mt. Abram ski passes; the Bethel ice rink; Mahoosuc Kids program scholarships; a portal program at Telstar to enable students to find and track scholarships, internships, and volunteer opportunities; school supplies; and school sports equipment for athletes in need of help.
A special thanks to The Gem for the three showings of “The Polar Express,” with profits going to the Christmas for Children program. The club was able to provide a happier holiday to nearly 135 area children through this program. Many thanks to all who donated to make this a success!
The club members hope to carry a can-do attitude into 2022 and, with the help of our many supporters, continue to offer all the many programs we have been able to this past year.
On behalf of the entire club, best wishes for a happy, healthy, and service-filled 2022!
Alison Aloisio, Club President 2021-22
Bethel
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