Posted by Tricia Sharp on Dec 29, 2019

 
In keeping with Rotary International and President Bill's goals of increasing membership, a particular focus is to increase community awareness of Fidalgo Island Rotary's current projects and to build on new projects. As the Rotary fiscal year started in July, Fidalgo Island Rotary's annual fundraiser Shipwreck Fest had a record of 286 vendors and 489 booths and raised an estimated $28,000 for local and international projects. Our club also received three District awards for increased Membership, Best Public Image, and our very own Sarah Davies for Rookie of the Year. 
     In August we were very busy, we successfully took over the Anacortes School Foundation's STEM Camp and plans are underway to make this middle school summer camp available to more children and to present a bigger range of workshops by using our club's unique talents and expertise.  We will utilize our current PR and new technology to manage getting the word out and making it as easy as possible for parents to subscribe. After STEM Camp our club built new entrances to the Anacortes Middle School kitchen garden and outdoor art area based off the designs the kids drew up in the Architecture and Construction workshop led by Daniel Conrardy.
 
     Our talented golfing members participated in the annual GolFUN fundraiser with the Rotary District 5050. Our club also sponsored a new boat for the Anacortes Waterfront Alliance that helps teach middle schoolers how to sail.
 
     In September, Fidalgo Island Rotary refurbished and re-landscaped the pocket park located on the Tommy Thompson Trail just off of 34th & V Ave. trailhead. Local driftwood was donated, sanded, varnished and built by men and women in our club.
 
     Our club continues to be a major player in the International Project Alliance (IPA), a group of 11 local Rotary clubs dedicated to helping the people of Copán, Honduras. IPA sponsors almost 2,000 students from kindergarten through university; they fund a major economic development program; and on any day they have about 30 active construction projects. Since 2015 they have donated over 8,000 backpacks full of school supplies. Members of our club visit Copán four times a year.
 
     Additionally, there were 12 school graduation ceremonies this past November in Guatemala. Thirty-one of the flag bearers were recipients of scholarships from San Lucas Toliman.  The FIRC International Committee and FIRC members sponsored 14 of the SLT scholars.
 
      We applied and have been accepted for a District 5050 Matching grant.  This project will start in January and will involve our club's funding and serving breakfast, quarterly, for approximately 250 participants in the Didgʷálič Wellness Center whose primary goal is to provide the community with quality health care solutions to today's substance abuse disorder and mental health challenges.  We will partner with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community who manage this center but have made the services available to all who require help.  In addition to the breakfast service, the club will also provide the resources for additional services suggested by the Didgʷálič counselors.
 
     Our club has participated for the last two years in a community-wide Celebrate the Seasons with our "Grinch" and WhoVille activities, including a Gingerbread House competition. Our club took second place in the adult division. We intend to use this event to really celebrate Rotary and our club in particular.
 
     Club members also contributed $140 to the Emergency Fund for the Anacortes Family Center, $110 to the Anacortes Food Bank and $275 to a local Anacortes Family in need. The club also contributed $2000 to Fidalgo Island Dance Works in support of their dancers and performers.  We annually participate with Dinner at the Brick located in the Fellowship hall of Westminster Presbyterian Church where we prepared Sunday night dinners for the local community.
 
     Another program started by our very own Brianna Hackler was monthly social gatherings called Rotary Plus+, where members met outside of club meetings to kayak, meet up for a beer, play trivia, or just socialize and walk around Washington Park. If you would like to read more about our current and past projects, feel free to check out our Stories Page on our amazing Award Winning website.
 

It's amazing what we can accomplish when hearts and minds work together. See how leaders from countries, cultures, and occupations around the world are taking action — to enhance health, empower youth, promote peace, and improve their community. Join leaders at Fidalgo Island Rotary - the FUN Club! 

 
Fidalgo Island Rotary
Marketing & PR Committee