The Belfast Rotary Club has made a donation to Belfast’s “Keep the Faith” fund in support of nearly 140 workers displaced by the recent Penobscot McCrum potato plant fire and another to support the April 12 job and resource fair held for them at the University of Maine’s Hutchinson Center. The Club has also presented cash gifts to food programs at The Game Loft, Waldo County Technical Center and six local food pantries.

“Rotary’s motto is ‘service above self,’” said Club president John Golden, in an April 8, 2022 news release. “The more than 60 members of the Belfast Club raise funds all year long so we can support the needs of the community. That’s what we are doing right now.”

The Club’s gifts include $1,000 to the “Keep the Faith Fund” and $250 plus volunteers to the job and resource fair to cover the costs of coffee, Weaver’s donuts and other refreshments for job seekers and employers. Checks for $450 also were given to the Waldo County Technical Center’s food pantry program and The Game Loft food program. The still-growing total for Ukraine relief is now nearly $4,000, provided by the Club and additional donations from its members and matches from Rotary International. Another $14,000 was donated to seven local food pantries, including the Greater Belfast Area Ministerium Food Cupboard, each receiving a $2,000 Rotary gift.

“Remember that the Belfast Rotary Club is dedicated to service,” Golden said. “While the social and networking aspects of the Club are valuable and enjoyable, helping people in our community is more important.”

Other recent and upcoming service projects and support efforts include Rotary member participation in the May 7 “Keep Belfast Beautiful” cleanup effort and distribution of more than $23,000 in Belfast Rotary “100 Fund” gift certificates for winter clothing, boots and special Santa toys for nearly 200 Waldo County children. Rotary also holds a Polio Eradication Pledge Walk in cooperation with Rotary International, and awards at least $80,000 in scholarships each year to graduating students from Belfast Area High School, Searsport High School, Mountain View High School and the Waldo County Technical Center.

Major fund raising events planned to support these and other Belfast Rotary Club community service projects include a June 4 Charitable Golf Tournament and the 15th annual Belfast Harbor Fest along the city’s waterfront from the Boathouse to Front Street Shipyard on August 18, 19 and 20.

Belfast Rotary Club, founded in 1925, is one of Maine’s largest and most active clubs. Its members meet in person or by Zoom Wednesdays at noon. The Club raises funds year-round through activities such as the Belfast Harbor Fest, annual charitable golf tournament event, 5K road races and pancake breakfasts. Its nearly $140,000 in yearly community gifts include support for food pantries, scholarships for local college-bound high school students and the 100 Fund clothing and toys project. For more information on membership or to make a tax-deductible donation in support of the Club’s year-round service programs, go to belfastrotary.org.