My fellow Rotarians, As I think back on these last 12 months, so many events and experiences are simply impossible to capture; they could not effectively be conveyed in simply images or words. This I have learned over this time, never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed Rotarians can change the lives, communities, and our world.
I am prouder than ever to be part of this great organization: one that makes the world not poorer, but richer with service events such as Earl A Goodwin Kindness in the Community Day that had Rotarians shopping, and delivering gifts valued at more than $9,000 to hundreds of local children, seniors and veterans. We replaced despair with hope through our Adopt A Family Christmas program that jumped from shopping for 80 children last year to 156 children this year. Our Club paid out $6,782 but Rotarians spent well above that to ensure no child was left without gifts under the tree. We donated another $9,810 as part of our community Charitable Giving efforts this year for so many folks who fall through the cracks and have now where else to turn. $1006 was spent for Company B Veterans and we hope to expand this giving in the coming year.
Under the leadership of Jim Godbout, $25,000 was donated to the My Place Teen Center in Biddeford. We learn from 8th grade students each year for the 28th Annual Essay Contest: What the Word Family Means to Me. We donated $2,250 as prize money for the winners and the top three students from each school receive matching funds they donated to charity of their choice.
Our Club can be proud of the 100% participation of the Rotary Foundation. $7,475 was donated by Rotarians, our club match of $2,525, and a last minute contribution for $125, making our donation to the foundation this year $10,000. Donations to Rotary International support a wide variety of projects, scholarships, and training that Rotary members are doing around the world. They offer several resources to help us take full advantage of grant opportunities. Paulette submitted a District Grant for the Earl A Goodwin Kindness in the Community Day, and I will be working with local Rotary Clubs to apply for a Disaster Relief Grant for our Rotary family in Ukraine.
With the help of the UNE Rotaract Club, we raised $1860 for Polio Plus - a gift to so many, while allowing each of us to Be a Gift to our communities and the world. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. Rotary is committed to raising $50 million per year over the next three years, with every dollar to be matched with two additional dollars from the Gates Foundation. This expanded agreement will translate into $450 million to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
To serve as president of this Rotary Club is an enormous undertaking, one that cannot be truly conveyed in words. A thousand images will forever live in my mind, a thousand recollections, a thousand emotions. Together, they show the bright and glorious work done by the hands of all Rotarians.
Thank you to my family: David - I asked for a year of understanding so I could dedicate my free time to Rotary. Thank you. Emily, whether you realize it or not… you’re just like me. Thank you for helping me out in the background whenever you sensed I was overwhelmed. Maddie, you’re already a leader, and so much like your mom, which means you’re just like me. Our trio is a force to be reckoned with. And Hunter. I love you more than a California Sunset.
It is clear to me that the day I joined the Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco was a day I took my first step down a different path in life – a path of greater connection, greater satisfaction, with a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose. This is a changing world; we must be prepared to change with it. The story of the Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco will have to be written again and again and again. It is my great honor to pass the gavel on to an amazing leader who will write the next chapter for this incredible organization. Please help me welcome, your next Club President, Paulette Bonneau.
Service Above Self
Saco, ME 04072
United States of America