Gulf Gate Rotary Club Donations Span Ages, Countries

May 3, 2012 - PRLog -- Sarasota Gulf Gate Rotary Club
P. O. Box 17581
Sarasota, FL 34276

Contact: Cheryl Ferreira, Public Relations Chair at 941 923 0196


(Sarasota, FL) As area charities continue to suffer declining government and private support, Sarasota Gulf Gate Rotary recently upped its donations to help plug the gap.

With several successful fund raising events under its belt, the 39-year old club found itself in a position to respond to the needs of six worthy organizations with substantial donations.

Always a supporter of Girls, Inc. and its efforts to "inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold," the Rotarians donated $3000 to sponsor one girl for an entire year of after-school and summer programs. Also in keeping with its deep concern for the younger citizens of the area, the club donated $3000 in Thanksgiving food baskets to Child Protection Center for helping area children who have been abused or neglected. An additional $3000 was given to Easter Seals for its work on a pre-school program advocated strongly by club member and Director Paul Gesko.  A gift of $500 went to Rotary's Camp FL in Brandon to "foster children with special needs and challenges to realize their full potential".

As part of its commitment to international peace and fellowship, the club donated $3000 to Roscoe's Thai Projects, a series of efforts championed by fellow Rotarian Roscoe Turner who will complete his eighteenth humanitarian mission to build and enhance schools in poverty stricken areas of Thailand. This mission will coincide with Rotary International's annual convention to be held in Bangkok in May.


In keeping with Rotary District 6960 and its goal to send World War II veterans to visit their memorial in Washington DC, Sarasota Gulf Gate Rotary also donated $500 to sponsor one veteran on an Honor Flight to be held in June, 2012. Honor Flights transport veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials.

"We raise money all year long for a reason," said club President Jim Pippenger. "We believe strongly in the Rotary motto 'Service above Self' and in the theme of incoming International President Sakuji Tanaka 'Peace through Service'."

Pippenger also noted that additional donations will be announced in the coming months as the club prepares for a new round of fund raising efforts culminating in raffle to win a cruise through the Panama Canal next February with club members.

BACKGROUND
Rotary international is one of the largest and oldest international service organizations in the world.  Founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, it now has over 1.2 million members in 34,000 clubs in over 200 countries and regions. Rotary clubs are nonpolitical and ecumenical. The Sarasota Gulf Gate Rotary Club was founded in 1973. There are a total of 36 members including 11 winter residents. The cumulative Rotary membership for the club members well exceeds 400 years.

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