DISTRICT FOUNDATION CELEBRATION! /VETERANS FOCUS

Welcome to our District 7780 Foundation Celebration! A power-impact 2 hours that pays special tribute to Veterans. Saturday, October 17, 2026, 2pm-4pm at Port City Air in Portsmouth, NH, that’s right, in an aircraft hangar, we shall gather!

 

We will raise awareness for the situation that many veterans face, and address mental health issues and the work being done to help. This includes the work of Laura Barker, who started Hero Pups trainng of companion dogs after her son was wounded in Afghanistan. Our District, with your help, we'll team up with Hero Pups to make a significant difference in the lives of two veterans.

 

CLICK FOR TICKETS!  Just $20, and under 18 No Charge! We highly encourage family! 

 

In addtion, we will celebrate a host of new Paul Harris Fellows, honor the work of our Polio program, raise awareness for mental health, and cap it off with a 250 flag salute to USA250!

DISTRICT: This event is anchored by a District Designated Grant of $4000, which is our Foundation at work. However, we do need the financial support of the clubs to see our plans come to fruition.

COMPANION DOGS:  Hero Pups of Stratham, NH will use 100 percent of funds to acquire, train, and pair two dogs with veterans with service-related traumatic challenges to increase their independence and peace of mind. Dogs train for a year, and each dog is a $6500 investment, and our goal is two dogs, equal to $13k.  For privacy reasons, the recipients will not be receiving dogs at our event, but we will hear first hand from previous recipients as to how it has changed their life. 

PAUL HARRIS:  Clubs, using your accrued Foundation points, you can honor an individual - an active or retired military person with a PHF. We ask the following criteria: With your nomination, you support that person with 8 or more of your club members attending the event to cheer your PHF! In addition, we want to invite the recipient’s family to join in. The individual ceremony will be short but meaningful, as we would like to see 8-10 PHF’s honored.

SPEAKERS: 5 marquis speakers, each with short but powerful messages. Our two keynote speakers are Mike Merrill/Volunteers of America, and Bill Merchant/Revolution Fitness. Laura Barker, Founder and President/ Hero Pups will have "tails" to tell, plus we have the honor of Mike McGovern, and the distinguished Marty Helman joining us!

We’ll have music, plus tasty afternoon treats to eat and refreshments. You have time in the morning to go to Home Depot and have lunch, and you’ll be home by dinner without driving in the dark.

BIG FINISH!  We have 250 American flags and with all our attendees carrying 1-2 flags, we’ll go out on the tarmac, get lined up and present the flags in a giant Rotary salute to USA250 and veterans. It’s a media moment that you’ll want to say, “I was part of that!”

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TICKETS are $20 per person. Under 18 No Charge, but please register. Please, bring family and share the moment. On sale at EVENTBRITE – Here is the Link!   

You can also pay by check or cash at the door, but please register online, using the Under 18 section. This will help us keep costs down by purchasing the right amount of snacks and drinks. 

TO DONATE TO THE COMPANION DOG PROGRAM:  Checks can be made out to the “Charitable Fund of the Portsmouth Rotary Club”.       EIN 02-048203.   Your contributions are tax-deductible.

RAFFLE:  We are also seeking Raffle Items with good value!  Let’s keep the value above $50, and of course, no limit! Sporting events or concert tickets make great gifts!  Open to all ideas!

QUESTIONS:  Please reach out to Co-Chairs, Aileen Dugan/District Foundation Chair, Portsmouth RC or Tom Talbott District Governor Nominee, Portland RC.