GROVE ROTARY AWARDS 23 GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Checks totaling $54,215.62 were presented by the Grove Rotary Club on Wednesday,
Jan. 27, to community organizations for 23 projects in the Grand Lake area. The
grants ranged from $750 to $5,000.

Every year Grove Rotary Foundation awards more than $150,000 in scholarships,
community grants and project funding. During the past 10 years, the Grove Rotary
Foundation has provided more than $1,000,000 in grant and scholarship funding to
organizations in Grove and the greater Grand Lake area.

Grove Rotarians work with the support of local businesses and community groups to
raise money to provide the Community Grants and Scholarship programs. For over
ten years, funds for the grants were raised primarily from the highly successful
LobsterFest benefit held by Rotary each June. The club also holds other benefits, such
as an annual golf tournament.

This year, due to Covid-19, Grove Rotary changed their annual LobsterFest fundraiser
to the Stronger Together Campaign. This online campaign raised over $62,000!
The Grove Rotary Foundation’s Charitable Contributions Committee reviews grant
requests that promote education, charitable and scientific activities.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Rotarian is coming together as a team
to make such a positive impact on our community. As Rotarians, our motto is ‘service
above self’. Giving through our grant program is just one way we live up to our
motto,” said Christy Wright, Chair of the Rotary Charitable Contributions Committee.
“On behalf of my fellow Rotarians, I wish to thank each person who has supported
our #StrongerTogether, online fundraiser. Your efforts helped us make an amazing
impact on thousands of children and adults in our area. We are humbled and grateful
for those who give so generously to help support our efforts.”

Other members of the Charitable Contributions Committee are: Ken Flowers, Nikki
Privitera, Kathie Hart, Kelsey Rhine, Jason Evans, Phyllis Hudecki, Clayton Baker,
Past-Chair Kristi Wallace, and Board-Liaison Ivan Devitt.

This year, the committee reviewed 23 grant applications from local organizations,
requesting a total of more than $61,000.

Of the total 23 grants awarded 33 percent were given to local school districts’
programs, including $9,804.49 to 4 programs at Grove Public Schools, and $8,800 to

three programs at Jay Public Schools. Other recipients include; Second Chance Pet
Rescue $6,725.87; DCCSAN $1,679.88; Grand Lake Quilt Guild $1,000; Grand Lake
YMCA $5,000; Lendonwood Gardens $1,875; Santa’s Old Broads $1,000; WAAMI
$1,000; Community Crisis Center $2,366.50; Boy Scouts Troop 78 $750; NEOCAA
$2,646.96; CASA $1,000; 3Grove Community Playmakers $1,901.92; Laundry Love
Project $3,000; Delaware County Sheriff $4,200; and Friends of the Grove Library
$1,495.

Grove Rotary, which has 179 members, is an energetic group of leaders with high
ethical standards and a passion for helping others, consistent with the club’s motto of
“Service Above Self.” Rotary’s primary objective is contributing their time, talent and
treasure to projects and programs throughout our community, nation, and world.

Rotary International is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and
problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting
change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.