The past month for the Rotary Club of Placencia has been spent planning for the rest of Rotary Year 2010-2011, preparing for the next Rotary Year, participating in one fund raiser and holding another.

FLAMING HEART BALL
The major project, to date, for the Rotary Club of Placencia has been the Peninsula Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD). When the PVFD was formed a little over 3 years ago, efforts focused on funding for equipment, such as the 6x4 ATV, that serves as the original fire vehicle, and pumps, hoses and other basic equipment. The PVFD, and the Peninsula Fire Board formed to work with the PVFD, have since become recognized entities and are now receiving assistance from the Belize National Fire Service as well as regular donations of equipment from U.S. Fire Departments, mainly through Rotary Clubs in the U.S., therefore, funding is now required for operating expenses and maintenance of equipment. Based upon these needs, the PVFD holds an annual event to raise funds to cover a portion of their operating expenses. On March 6, the third annual Flaming Heart Ball was held at the Beach Bar at the Tipsy Tuna. Firefighters and Rotarians worked together to set up, prepare food and tend the always busy bar while guests enjoyed the music of Inner Vibrations and waited to hear their number called for one of the many prizes raffled off. By the end of the evening, a significant amount of money had been raised, which will go towards the operating expenses of the PVFD. The Rotary Club of Placencia is proud of what has been accomplished to date by the PVFD and is committed to continuing to work with the Department and the Fire Board to improve and expand fire protection services on the Placencia Peninsula.

BINGO
On March 27, the Rotary Club of Placencia held its’ third bingo game at the Paradise Resort. The evening got off to something of a slow start with a late arriving crowd and a balky sound system, but, the crowd grew in numbers and restlessness and Fire Chief Kathy Anglin stepped in to call the games and the fun began. In all, nine games were played with the happy cash prize winners being Brian, Jorge, Morris, Carolyn (shared pot), Andrew (shared pot), Jeff, Betty (shared pot), Tom (shared pot), Zia, and Debbie. Also, Becky won a free night stay at the Paradise Resort courtesy of Alan and Janet. We wish to, once again, thank Alan and Janet of the Paradise Resort for allowing us to hold the games there and for their generous contribution of a prize for one of the games. The money raised by this event will go to our annual senior luncheon later this year. These bingo games are proving to be popular as fund raisers and we hope to set future ones up on a regular schedule. Advertising will be on LOVEFM, the cable TV public access channel, and on posters around the Village, so, please watch for information on the next Bingo Night and join us for fun and prizes, knowing that the money raised will go back in to the community.

SCHOOL PROJECTS
Work on projects for St. John’s Primary School in Placencia Village, St. Alphonsus Primary School in Seine Bight Village, and Independence High School is ongoing with significant progress being made to secure funding for various projects and scholarships. In the last month, word was received from the Rotary Club of Edmonton West (Canada) that they are committed to providing the funds required (when added to the funds raised by the Rotary Club of Placencia at the annual auction) to complete the bathroom project at St. Johns Primary School. The Rotary Club of Edmonton West has also been working with Independence High School towards possible funding of some of their projects. We wish to thank the Rotary Club of Edmonton West for their generosity and look forward to working with them on the various school projects.

OUR CLUB
The Rotary Club of Placencia currently has 18 members working hard to complete a variety of projects on the Placencia Peninsula and in Independence. These projects often require a significant amount of work and help is needed on the existing projects as well as future projects that we would like to take on. We appreciate the support we receive from the community at our fund raisers, but, we hope that more people will step forward and join us in the important work to be done. Please consider attending one of our meetings (Tuesdays at 12:30 PM at Yoli’s), visiting our web site (www.rotaryclubofplacencia.org), or speaking to any Rotarian to see what you can do to help. Much has been accomplished by our Club and we would like to build on that, but, more help is needed. This is your community, please help us to make it the best it can be.