March 24, 2014 at 1:12 p.m.
Rotary's spring gala raises money to help community
Rotary's spring gala raises money to help community
"This is our annual Rotary Spring Gala which is our primary fundraiser of the year where we fund everything that we do locally and internationally through this one event that is put on by a great board, a great group of people and has been very well supported by the community in the past and again (Saturday) evening," explained Rotary president Tim Thorsen.
Rotary is involved in numerous community projects throughout the year. Thorsen said an allocations committee helps decide which projects the group will fund.
"We basically have an allocations committee and they decide in the requests that come in on an annual basis," he said. "It could be anything from the Red Marquardt Sawmill that we built in the past with grant monies. We help with lighting the Central (Intermediate School) basketball court, teaming with the Kiwanis - we like to do joint projects like that when we can. It varies a lot each year."
None of it could happen without the support of the community, though, which Thorsen said is always there when Rotary needs it.
"It's great. It doesn't matter if it's our event or someone else's event, when you see this much support come from the community to go back into the community, we're always excited about that," Thorsen said. "Eighty percent of what we raise tonight will go to all local projects and things we're working on, so it's really the community helping the community and we just assist with that."
That assistance is much appreciated, according to gala participant Susan Cromwell.
"I'm just really glad they're around. To be honest, other than making a donation somewhere, I wouldn't know what to do to help. Thankfully, these guys in the Rotary and the other groups like Kiwanis and all of them, they help us help," she said.
"They know what to do. They know what or who needs the most help, so I'm happy to help them help those who really need it in a way that's going to really help them."
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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