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The new year started out strong for the Rotary Club of Placencia with a new fund raising event, continuing discussions with other Rotary Clubs regarding projects, and discussions with another Rotary Club about a possible additional project.
BINGO & BILLY
On January 16, 2010, a large group gathered at the Paradise Resort for an evening of music and bingo. The evening started out with a performance by internationally known Irish musician Bill Mcelaney, who generously donated his time to help us with this new fund raising idea. After an hour of mostly Irish music, the people lined up to purchase their cards for the first of 10 games. As the numbers were called, the room was filled with groans from those not having the number called and cheers from those fortunate to cover a spot or, for the lucky ones, a loud cry of “BINGO”. The first 8 games featured a 50-50 split of the pot for each game and were won by Malu, Cassie, Morris (2 time winner), Kai, Gloria, Jason and Myrtle. After more music from Bill Mcelaney, a free game was played with Monique winning a free dinner donated by the Paradise leading up to the jackpot game won by Vilma (2 cards) and Antoinette. The evening proved to be a tremendous success and we wish to thank Bill Mcelaney for donating his talents and Alan and Janet of the Paradise Resort for hosting the event. Based upon the success of the event and the feedback we have received, we will be scheduling more bingo games, so, watch for the flyers around the Village, check out the public access channel on the cable TV, or listen for information on LOVEFM.
ONGOING PROJECTS
As described in previous articles, we have been working with the Rotary Club of Calgary Olympic, represented by Dr. Wayne Warnica, on scholarships for Peninsula students to attend high school. We are continuing to discuss the parameters for the handling of the funds donated and for awarding the scholarships and will share the results when they are known. In addition, as previously reported, we are continuing to work with the Rotary Club of Saskatoon Nutana, represented by Joe Dierker, on projects for the Seine Bight School. Mr. Dierker is planning a visit to our community in February and further discussions will be held regarding potential projects. We have also recently met with Duane Evans and Christopher Gowers of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West, Alberta regarding Independence High School. During their time here, they visited the school and met with Principal Longsworth, who described what has been accomplished to date and what the current needs are. We hope to hear from them and develop a working relationship with their Club to make much needed improvements at the High School. In conjunction with this, several members of the Rotary Club of Placencia, led by Rotary Foundation Director Bob Edmunds, have been attending meetings and seminars on the new funding mechanism being tried by Rotary. Our District (District 4250 comprised of Belize, Honduras and Guatemala) has been selected to participate in this pilot program, so, we hope that it will be successful and lead to funding for some larger projects in the future.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Preparations for our annual auction are ongoing leading up to the event to be held during the Arts Festival in February. This event proved to be very popular last year and we hope to repeat that success this year. The next event that is planned will be assisting the Peninsula Volunteer Fire Department with their annual Flaming Heart Ball, which is tentatively scheduled for March 6. This event raises much needed funds for the running of the Peninsula Volunteer Fire Department and the securing of additional equipment, so, we hope that the community will come out in force to support their Fire Department. Additional events that are being planned include at least one cricket match and a regular schedule of bingo games. As always, look for flyers around the Village, check the cable TV public access channel, or listen to LOVEFM (with thanks to Rotarian Rene Villanueva) for information on these events.
OUR CLUB
The Rotary Club of Placencia is dedicated to working to make our community and the world a better place. To accomplish this, we rely on our Club members and volunteers, but, without the support of the community at our fund raisers, we cannot accomplish what we need to. The major portion of the funds raised go back in to the community, so, we encourage everyone to participate in what we do, whether it be joining the Club, volunteering to help at fund raisers and on work projects, or providing whatever support they can. Anyone wishing to help can attend one of our weekly meetings (Tuesdays at 12:30 PM at Yoli’s), visit our web site (www.rotaryclubofplacencia.org), or speak to any Rotarian. This is your community, please do what you can to help.
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