By Brenda Gibson
Spring into fundraising!
As the world around us springs forth into bright, green growth and fresh blossoms, Rotarians on the Peninsula are also springing into renewed fundraising efforts.
White Rock Rotary has already concluded their major fundraiser of the year, the annual Charity Book Sale. Held at the Semiahmoo Shopping Centre from Feb. 28 until to March 6, funds raised go to support community causes such as Sources and Peace Arch Hospital, as well as the international eradication of polio, and many other humanitarian and service projects initiated by Rotarians worldwide.
Coming soon (date to be announced), the Rotary Club of South Surrey will be hosting their sixth annual Fools Night Out. This fun evening of wine tasting, food pairings, a silent auction and musical entertainment will be held at the Blue Frog Recording Studio in White Rock. Attendees will enjoy six delectable wines paired with complimentary food selections.
This year’s funds will be directed to local and international projects, such as the South Surrey Learning Centre, Sources women’s shelter, WITS program, an aids hospice in Thailand and an orphanage in Battambang.
Please join in the fun – tickets are $85 per person. For more information and tickets, contact Renee Nicholson at 604-536-4466.
Coming soon is the 6th annual SASSY Awards show, held on May 13 at the Surrey Arts Centre. The SASSY Awards is a local Rotary scholarship awards program for youth aged 15-21 living or studying in Surrey or White Rock.
SASSY stands for “Service Above Self” Surrey Youth, incorporating Rotary’s motto. The awards aim to recognize, acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of youth who exemplify the ideals of Rotary.
Nominations and applications must be received by Semiahmoo Rotary Club by March 11. Forms can be found at www.sassyawards.ca and emailed to nominations@sassyawards.ca
Excitement is building for the annual Semiahmoo Rotary golf tournament, to be held June 7-8. The club is thrilled to announce their new partnership with Innovative Fitness White Rock to deliver this much-anticipated event.
Returning are the many exciting features that players look forward to as part of the ongoing tradition, including Team Night kicking off the event. Teams will be auctioned and the first 100 registered golfers will be entered into the Texas Hold-Em poker tournament. The next day the fun continues with golf at Hazelmere Golf Club.
This tournament has raised more than $1.25 million for local projects, including over $700,000 for the club’s principal beneficiary, the Peace Arch Hospital. This year, funds will support the expansion of the emergency room at the hospital.
There are many ways you can be involved. For more, contact Stewart Peddemors at stewartp@remax.net, or 604-329-6759, or contact or Jim Purcell at jdpurcell@gmail.com or 604-618-3724.
Brenda Gibson writes monthly on behalf of the Semiahmoo Peninsula’s five Rotary Clubs – brenda_gibson@shaw.ca