This time of year we are very fortunate to take time to celebrate with family & friends around the holiday season. In Rotary, many clubs volunteer in their communities to feed those that might not have the means or who may not have others in their lives to sit at a table and break bread with. Clubs sell wreaths, trees and ring the Salvation Army bell in order to support those in need. We have holiday parties for children that may not receive gifts from someone in a red suit on December 25th. All in all it is a fun, festive season where we come together and do great work, creating positive experiences and changing lives where we may never truly see the downstream impact of our work.
But frequently, at the same time, life happens. And we can’t predict it and often are completely thrown by it. That’s how it’s been with me and my family the past few weeks.
By: Nancy Hawes, District Foundation Treasurer/Secretary, South Portland/Cape Elizabeth RC
On the twelfth day of Disease Prevention and Treatment Month, The Rotary Foundation gave to District 7780:
1287global grants awarded in 2023-24
115 countries where Rotary Peace alumni are working
106 Disaster Response grants awarded in 2023-24
99% decrease in polio cases since 1988
$8.6 million spent in 2023-24 on Economic & Community Development
7 Areas of Focus
$60,735 received by D7780 from The Rotary Foundation for district grants in 2023-24
59 global grants awarded in 2023-24 for the Environment
4-star rating from Charity Navigator
$30 million spent in 2023-24 for district grants
$2 million for program of scale grant in 2023-24
And
1 new Peace Center to be dedicated this coming February at Bachesehir University in Istanbul, Turkey, thanks to a grant from the Otto and Fran Walter Foundation
Sarah MacGillivray, District ShareForever Committee PR, Bath Sunrise RC
With the holiday season in full swing, it seems the natural time to think about ways to show that we are thankful for all we have and to think of ways to give back. Many Rotarians in our district have already made their plans for Rotary’s future, and we hope you might consider joining us in supporting our Rotary Foundation Endowment.
We understand that you might have questions: last month I shared the names of our local Rotarians who are available to answer those questions. Now you may be ready to sit down with a small group and discuss further what your options may be. We have put together a number of fireside chats to bring folks together to do just that, and in January we will be hosting three Fireside Chats with Celeste Herbert, Rotary Major Gifts Officer for our area:
January 23: Bridgton, primarily for Rotarians in areas 7-9.
By: Tim Moyer, RYLA 7780 Co-Director, Kennebunkport RC
The 3rd Annual RYLA Coordinator Summit at USM-Portland on November 16th drew over 30 Rotarians and RYLA Staff members. Former campers shared inspiring stories of their RYLA moments and staff shared how RYLA has shaped their education and careers. We exchanged strategies for recruiting campers, distributed redesigned posters, and announced our RYLA Coordinator of the year: Tony Wagner from the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth! We are abundantly grateful for all RYLA coordinators in District 7780. They give rising juniors in high school an opportunity to attend RYLA, a transformational outdoor experiential 4-day leadership camp in Raymond, ME. Visit ryla7780.org for more info about RYLA 2025! Feel free to reach out to me at tim@ryla7780.org.
December 2024
Club News
Click HEREfor news about projects and fundraisers from around our district.
Bethel
Bridgton - Lake Region
Damariscotta - Newcastle
Dover
Oxford Hills
Portland
Portsmouth
Sanford - Springvale
South Berwick - Eliot
York
If we missed your club,
please know that your work is appreciated. Please send your stories next month to:
This is not to take the place of the District Calendar, but it gives us a chance to know about Club or Committee activities which may have broader interest within the district and beyond.
Wabanaki Sovereignty presentation
If you missed the presentation on What Will Wabanaki Sovereignty Mean for Maine, here is the link to see the recording of the zoom presentation from Saturday, November 23rd.
By: Carol Marcotte, PhD, Co-Chair, District 7780 Rotaract Clubs, Saco Bay Sunset RC
On November 20th the UNE Rotaract completed a wonderful service project. After hearing that there were many people still without power and electricity in the 55+ Community in St. Petersburg, FL, the UNE Rotaract decided to make comfort blankets! More than twenty Rotaract students made over 10 blankets for the senior citizens. The blankets are handmade and so cozy. An email went out to the Harbor Lights Community and five people who have no power have already requested a blanket. UNE Rotaract Advisor, Carol Marcotte will be traveling to the Community to share the blankets on Thanksgiving Day.
Rotary District 7780 Indigenous Partnership Committee hosted a powerful Virtual Learning Hour on 11/23/24 with Michael-Corey Hinton. This is now AVAILABLE as a recording to experience and share! If you had to miss the event, here it is.