Rotary Happenings: Looking back
Starting the New Year with a bang may be the goal of some people. However, I choose to start the New Year by reflecting and expressing gratitude. There are so many things to be thankful for as a Rotary member. Being part of Rotary brings many opportunities to help others and to build friendships along the way.
One of the pillars of Rotary is the 4-Way Test with one of the questions asking, “Will it build goodwill and better friendships?” Rotary accomplishes both of these goals easily while simultaneously completing service projects that help our local community and our overseas community as well. The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club recently had a fundraiser bike ride with arguably the longest name in any service project, the Annual Howard S. Danner, Jr. Wheels for Wheels Cycling Challenge. This was a fundraiser to raise money for wheelchairs to be sent internationally and raised an amazing $33,000, from bike riding with friends! The Annual Art Festival held during Presidents Weekend in February has an attainable goal of $100,000 this year to be distributed to local nonprofits and used in Rotary Grants local and worldwide, all while enjoying time with other Rotarians during an art festival. Can it get better than friends, shopping and art? The Charity Golf Tournament to be held on March 26 is another example of having a great time golfing while with friends and raising money for so many great causes.
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club has many opportunities to build goodwill and better friendships every month. Not to mention, the Club added a fifth question to Rotary’s 4-Way test, “Is it fun?” This is possibly the best question of all. These days, we need to be able to know that every week we can see our Rotarian friends, learn something new from the weekly speakers and be covered with a warm loving feeling of friendship.
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club holds a meeting on Fridays at 7:15 a.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, and via Zoom; doors open at 6:45 a.m. To attend in person, email William.Harkey@gmail.com before the meeting. For more information, visit sanibelrotary.org or www.facebook.com/sancaprotary.