On Saturday, January 30, 2021, Lucky the Duck and West Bay Rotarian Leamon Scott presented an $840.06 check to Shields Mission Project Administrator Jeanne Denny.

It is a West Bay Rotary meeting tradition that members donate money to local charities and nonprofit organizations by putting money into buckets on the table at each meeting.  Because they are meeting via Zoom these days, they are now calling these buckets in cyberspace and have been inviting the community to help donate also.

The Shields Mission Project is a dedicated fund of the First Congregational Church of Camden used to benefit needy residents of Knox County and Lincolnville who do not qualify for assistance from various social services and governmental agencies.  Its purpose is to provide direct financial aid to individuals and families in crisis for any number of reasons.

During this time of COVID, increasing numbers of families in our local communities find themselves in precarious financial situations, having lost their jobs and unable to afford housing, utilities, food, transportation, health care, etc.  For some it is truly a desperate situation with nowhere to turn.  According to Jeanne, “We are really seeing an increase in need right now and are getting more calls than ever, especially for fuel assistance and housing”.    

“We know that the money we donated today will help,” said West Bay Rotarian, Deborah Fink, “but we are also hoping that by shining a light on the important services of the Shields Mission Project, we can inspire people to continue to donate.”

For more information, please click on the link here: Shields Mission Project.

Donations are currently being accepted by West Bay Rotary for New Hope for Women on their website at  westbayrotaryofmaine.org.  You may also mail a check to Rotary Club of West Bay Charitable Foundation, PO Box 1033, Camden, ME  04843.  Please note on the check if you would like the donation to benefit New Hope for Women.

West Bay Rotary meets on Thursday mornings from 7:30 am to 8:30 am, currently via Zoom.  If you would like to join them on a future Zoom meeting, please email gabendrothwestbay@gmail.com.