ShareForever 7780 Million Dollar Challenge Update
By: Sarah MacGillivray, ShareForever Committee PR, Bath Sunrise RC
In the Rotary calendar, November is Foundation month, so it seemed like the perfect time to give an update on the ShareForever 7780 Million Dollar Challenge. November is also the perfect time to give thanks and think of ways to make donations before the end of the year!As you know, the Rotary clubs in District 7780, from Damariscotta to Fryeburg and Exeter to Portland, are stepping up in a historic way. To date, close to $3.8 million dollars have been raised in our ShareForever 7780 Million Dollar Challenge. Every dollar raised will fuel projects in our communities and worldwide for generations to come. Today’s pledges aren’t just dollars—they are commitments to a future that makes a difference locally and globally.
Last month we shared our new goal to reach a total of $5 million by the end of this Rotary year to further extend our impact across communities. Every contribution strengthens Rotary’s ability to fund grants, projects, and initiatives that tackle local and global challenges—from clean water and sanitation to economic development and education.
The new goal is made possible because of a new opportunity that has emerged. Generous donors Marion and Harry Cheney have introduced a matching challenge: the first $250,000 raised this year will be doubled, amplifying the reach and significance of every legacy gift.
How Your Legacy Gift Makes a Difference
All District 7780 endowment gifts to the Rotary Foundation this year—whether in cash or legacy contributions—will count toward this year’s challenge. Your donation can be directed to specific areas, such as the Endowment Fund SHARE, which channels yearly endowment earnings into DDF (District Designated Funds) for our district grants, global grants, and district-7780 directed programs. These funds are the backbone of lasting, sustainable work that our district will champion now and in the future. You may designate your gift to count towards any of the specific areas of focus, such as PolioPlus or Peace Centers, if you prefer.
Special Recognition for Major Donors
Every District 7780 Rotarian who contributes $10,000 or more in cash or legacy gifts to any Rotary Endowment between July 1, 2023, to February 28, 2025 will be invited to join us for a special celebration on March 30, 2025. This Five Million Dollar ShareForever Celebration of Magic will be held at the Atlantic Grill in Rye, NH—a moment to honor the incredible contributions and the shared commitment that has brought us this far. Watch for a special announcement of our guest speaker in next month’s newsletter!
We have Ambassadors in our District who would be happy to chat with you about any questions you might have!
Or if you would like to learn more in a group setting, keep an eye on upcoming newsletters when we will share the schedule of Fireside Chats that are being planned around the district to share more information and answer questions you may have.
Area 1 Ambassadors:
Dave Underhill, Portsmouth Rotary Club - dave.underhill.nh@gmail.com
Frank Nappo, Portsmouth Rotary Club - franknappo@gmail.com
Area 2 Ambassadors:
Marion Cheney, Dover Rotary Club - macheney@comcast.net
Harry Cheney, Dover Rotary Club - hccmacbelle@gmail.com
Gregg Dowty, Dover Rotary Club - gdowty60@gmail.com
Area 3 Ambassadors:
Larry Richburg, York Rotary Club - richburgbuilders@gmail.com
Susan Gross, York Rotary Club - susan.gross@maine.rr.com
Brenda Cressey, Ogunquit Rotary Club - rotarybrenda@gmail.com
Area 4 Ambassadors:
Bob MacKenzie, Kennebunk Rotary Club - rmackenzie@kennebunkmaine.us
Mark Mickeriz, Sanford - Spingvale Rotary Club - markmickeriz@gmail.com
Area 5 Ambassadors:
Dennis Robillard, Saco Bay Sunset Rotary Club - risc@maine.rr.com
Jeff Slaton, Rotary Club of Saco Bay - slatonjeffrey@yahoo.com
Area 6 Ambassadors:
Dick Hall, Portland Rotary Club - dickhall7780@gmail.com
Tony Wagner, South Portland - Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club - tony.wagner163@gmail.com
Nicole Albert, South Portland - Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club - nicole.albert70@gmail.com
Area 7 Ambassadors:
Peter Johnson, Yarmouth Rotary Club - peter.johnson@ubs.com
Michele Bois-Gilbody, Freeport Rotary Club - michele@bois-gilbody.com
Area 8 Ambassadors:
Bob Gravino, Bath Sunrise Rotary Club - rcgravino@aol.com
Marty Helman, Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club - MartyRotary@gmail.com
Area 9 Ambassadors:
Ron Smith, Fryeburg Area Rotary Club - rsmith.rotary@gmail.com
Emma Bodwell, Bridgton Rotary Club - ebodwell@icloud.com