In recognition of their vital role for those in need here in Midcoast Maine, 10 local charities were awarded grants from West Bay Rotary this week. As an integral part of its mission, the club hosts fundraising events throughout the year to support qualified charitable causes. The club’s ongoing fundraising events include Christmas tree/wreath sales, parking at the Toboggan Nationals, a mid-winter “cabin fever reliever” comedy show at the Opera House, the Duck Derby raffle, and a lobster bake at the Camden Windjammer Festival.
“Our fall grants cycle involved more than 20 grant applications, which is significantly higher than in years past,” said Club President Etienne Perret. “The final grantees support a broad spectrum of need, from seniors, to parents, to pre-schoolers, from people needing shelter and warmth, to those teaching music, to those running a movie theatre, to teaching marine sciences on the Midcoast, to those providing welcome and care for new immigrants, to those bringing global knowledge on international issues to the Midcoast.”
The following organizations received the 2025 West Bay Rotary Community grants:.
· Knox Clinic
· Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers
· The Landing Place/Homeworthy
· Connecting Across Cultures
· Emergency Warming Centers (Rockland)
· Herring Gut Coastal Science Center
· Strand Theatre
· Parent Program of Mid-Coast Maine
· Camden Conference
· Midcoast Music Academy
About West Bay Rotary
West Bay Rotary is celebrating its 39th year of service to the Midcoast community. The club undertakes dozens of community projects as well as fundraising (and “fun-raising”) events, including its annual “Duck Derby,” Lobster Bake, Christmas Tree sales, Chili Challenge, Toboggan Nationals parking, Habitat For Humanity teams, book clubs, and more. The door for prospective members is always open. The club meets on Thursday mornings from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in the Community Room at the Congregational Church in Camden, also via Zoom. For more information, go to: www.WestBayRotaryOfMaine.org.
West Bay Rotary of Camden awarded $10,000 in grants to 10 local charities. Celebrating the fall grants at the club’s weekly meeting were (front l-r): Kit Harrison-Parent Program of Mid-Coast Maine, Rebecca JangDhari Brandes-Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers, Sarah Oktay-Herring Gut, Sue Weichert-Connecting Across Cultures, Jen Feldman-Midcoast Music Academy, Emily Bergelion-Emergency Warming Center; (back row, l-r) Etienne Perret-WBR President, Joseph Hufnagel-The Landing Place, Chrys DeLorimier-Homeworthy, EmilyCarver-Homeworthy, Brittany Parker-Strand Theatre, Luca Mellon-Emergency Warming Center, John Viehman-WBR Community Service Chair.
