Inter-Lakes Interact Club
Inter-Lakes Interact Club, sponsored by the Meredith Rotary club, was chartered on March 27, 2015 with twenty-seven members. Inter-Lakes Interact Club was very active this past year with service activities that clearly demonstrated Rotary’s motto - Service Above Self.
October
In October, the club held its annual Socktober project to collect socks for those in need. This year the club collected 5,743 pairs of socks from 20 organizations. The socks were then distributed to 14 local organizations that assist those in need.
Also, in October, the club held its annual Moulton Farm Corn Maze fundraiser. The club sold homemade baked goods, and Rotarian John Moulton contributed all of the corn maze entrance fees to the club. Between on-site cash donations and entrance fees, the club raised $1,000. Thank you, Mr. Moulton!
November
In honor of Veterans Day in November, the club coordinated a school-wide ‘Thank-you’ card-writing project for veterans at the New Hampshire Veterans Home.
Also, in November, the club bought $2,000 of Hannaford gift cards and donated them to I-L Schools District Outreach
December
December was a busy month with four activities. First, several club members assisted the Meredith Rotary Club with its annual Rotary Senior Christmas Dinner, where over 250 guests received free holiday dinners and met Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction
During the Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction five club members took phone-in auction bids that raised money for youth and family charities within the New Hampshire lakes region.
Toys for Tots
Members had fun selecting and buying over $500 worth of toys for Toys for Tots.
Fishing Derby T-Shirt Design Contest
Also, during December the club sponsored its Fishing Derby T-shirt design contest fund raiser. The contest was open to all ILMHS students. Haven Reardon was the winner and received the $100 prize. Shirts were sold on-line before the Fishing Derby and during the Fishing Derby weekend.
January
In January, members went grocery shopping and prepared meals for the residents of the Pemi Bridge House. The Bridge House provides emergency shelter, food, job training, and transitional living for those in need.
February
During Meredith Rotary's Fishing Derby weekend, the Club held its annual fund-raising raffle. This year, they raffled off a Jon boat, motor, and trailer donated by Naults Power Sports. The Club raised over $4,000 for numerous service projects it supported. To thank Naults, the Club donated $400 to Naults' charity of choice – Make-a-Wish Foundation. After Derby weekend sales, the Club still had 20 Interact Fishing Derby shirts remaining unsold. The Club donated those shirts to the Inter-Lakes Middle High School Outreach program.
April
On April 18, the I-L Interact Club hosted the Rotary District Youth Conference for the first time. This year’s theme was ‘Hunger’. Morning activities included a panel discussion on hunger, a presentation by Common Man Restaurants on how they are addressing hunger in Ukraine, and Interact member Lillian describing how to attain a Congressional Gold Medal.
The conference’s afternoon activity was assembling 10,000 food packets for the Rise Against Hunger Food Project.
This was all made possible by VP Hayden’s promoting, coordinating, and running a significant event on world hunger – well done, Hayden!
May
In May, several members volunteered to help prepare, serve, and clean up meals for Hands Across the Table. Hands Across the Table, hosted by St. Andre Bessett Parish in Laconia, offers a free hot meal every Wednesday evening for those seeking food and/or friendship and support.
Rwanda Children Education Foundation
For the past six years, the I-L Interact Club has sponsored Rwanda Children Education Foundation’s Samuel Mugabo to attend school. This past year was Samuel’s senior year, and the club had planned to sponsor Samuel to visit the Lakes Region this summer. Sadly, Samuel was not able to obtain a visa. Alternatively, the club is considering a gift to support Samuel’s success as he starts his new phase of life.
During the End-of-Year Ceremony, President Claire presented RCEF with a donation check to begin sponsoring a new RCEF 7th grader for school next year.
Kiera Moynihan was awarded Member of the Year.
Paul Harris Fellow recognitions were presented to:
• Claire Clark for having been on the club’s BOD since she joined in her 8th grade: Two years as club president (grades 11 & 12), secretary/treasurer (grade 10), Local Service Chair (grade 9), Grade 8 Director (grade 8), and Member-of-the-Year 2023 – 2024.
• Hayden Hebron for conceiving, planning, collaborating, and implementing the Rotary District Youth Conference at I-L Middle High School, including assembling 10,000 food packets for Rise Against Hunger Food Project.
This year, the club lent out 10 Kiva microloans, each ranging from $25 to $100. Kiva microloans provide financial support to people around the world who are unable to obtain a bank loan…
• Uganda - to restock the woman’s store inventory
• United States - a loan helped the small town of Sisters, Oregon, begin to recover from wildfire.
• Philippines - to buy cement, gravel, rebar, and sand to repair a single mother’s home
• Uganda - to buy cows, calves, feed, and vaccines to rear cows healthily to sell.
• United States – to help a teacher make a down payment on purchasing her Montessori school.
• Colombia - to purchase machinery to optimize the management of cattle
• Uganda - to buy fertilizers and mulches for the coffee farm.
• Paraguay – for Mujeres Unidas (United Women) to purchase cake supplies for their store.
• Philippines - to buy feeds and other supplies to raise chickens for family and small store
• Kenya - to buy modern farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizers
Since its start in March 2015, the club has donated $32,719 to those in need.