By Dawn Wittfelt, District 7620 Membership Chair
On August 21, 2021, several clubs participated in our first district-wide monthly service project, a food drive, for our local food banks and food pantries. In Southern Maryland, Area 12 held a food drive in front of a local grocery store. According to Linda Lymas, Assistant Governor for Southern MD, Saturday morning was a beautiful day to serve in Southern Maryland. “It was a perfect opportunity for caring, sharing, and greeting the happy shoppers who entered and exited the McKay’s Grocery Store in California, MD. Thanks to the wonderful people and dedicated group of volunteers, we exceeded goals in all areas: donations, service hours and volunteers.” Food items and funds were donated to Feed St. Mary’s Food Bank in St.Mary’s County for distribution to local pantries and soup kitchens. Southern Maryland Rotarians collected $500.00 in cash donations and approximately 450 pounds of food.
This project was part of 7620’s monthly service project, each of which will cover one of our Rotary areas of focus or monthly Rotary theme. Projects are designed to be short, typically 2-3 hours, yet meaningful and impactful for our communities. Projects are preplanned and all marketing materials, including fliers, posters, Facebook Event Cover pages, and press releases, are pre-designed to be easily customized for your convenience. This makes it as easy as possible for your clubs to participate and have more of an impact in your community.
These events also create an increased opportunity for Rotary visibility, because they are set up in highly trafficked areas, and are meant for you to invite your community members to participate in. Invite your FRANK’s, Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Neighbors, and Kids to come out and roll up their sleeves with you. Kids can earn service hours and learn about Rotary at the same time. What a great seed to plant!
ICYMI: We now have a phone number – 1-866-GOROTARY as well as a QR code that will direct back to our District website, making it easy to find information about our Clubs and our District. Additional marketing materials have been printed for clubs to use for display at your events and are available upon request!
Upcoming Monthly Service Days – Third Saturdays
Sept– Watershed/Community Clean Up
Oct– Polio Awareness Event / Food Drive on local Recreational and High School Sports Fields
Nov– Partnership with YMCA of MD and Toys for Tots for a Food / Coat / Toy drive for holiday giving
Dec – Partnership with American Red Cross /Blood Drive
Document Flyer | Poster (24×36) | Facebook Event Cover Photo