Rotary clubs began more than 100 years ago with a mission that’s still vital today: “We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.”
The Hawks Prairie Rotary, under 2019-2020 President Buddy Stevens, who is also manager of Elite Cleaning of Washington, takes that mission seriously. So much so they’re already planning for the Annual Foundation Auction to be held in spring 2020. Though several months away, it’s never too early to think of the future.
The Rotary Foundation has donated more than $4 billion to national and global causes since it began. It strives “to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.” These include preventing disease, providing clean water, and growing safe, strong local economies.
For more than 30 years, one of their primary causes is the eradication of polio. Say founders, “We’ve helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. So far, Rotary has contributed more than $1.8 billion toward eradicating the disease worldwide.”
With this in mind, the annual Hawks Prairie Rotary Foundation Auction raises $10,000 a year towards these shared goals. “It’s a ticketed event,” says Stevens, “But anyone can donate and attend.” In the past they’ve auctioned off dinners donated by Rotarian members, tours of downtown’s Port of Olympia, fishing trips, sports memorabilia. “We’ve run the gamut of really interesting things,” laughs Stevens.
Dates, times and event details will be posted to the Hawks Prairie Rotary website or on their Facebook page. Questions about possible items for donation? Email the club directly at HPRotary@comcast.net. But remember that your generosity benefits families both next door and across the globe. Rotary is truly a powerful force for good. So go, bid, and do your part while having a great night out.
