Bob Anderson, left, president of the Sunrise Rotary, welcomes Leesa Calfee, right, director of Reliv International, who just became one of two new members to join the Sunrise Rotary Thursday. The other new member is Lisa Hughey, not shown, is the Olin Responsible Care regulatory specialist at Olin Chemicals Inc. Banner photo, LUCIE R. WILLSIE
Until last year, the group held a golf tournament to help raise money for local charities and community organizations.
The gala, only the second one held by the Sunrise Rotary, is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the group. It will be held at the Museum Center at Five Points.
Vince and Barbara Dooley were the guest speakers last year.
Auction items are actively being sought for this year’s auction.
Thirty-thousand dollars was raised in last years’ gala. The Sunrise Rotary hopes to almost double the money raised at this year’s gala for at least $50,000. Out of last year’s proceeds, some of the area organizations that benefited include Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland — $10,000; the American Cancer Society — $7,500; and Angel Flight — $5,000.
“All money stays local,” said Mark Rodgers, writer and speaker for Power Speak, who presented the update on this year’s gala at Thursday’s Sunrise Rotary meeting. “We need everyone’s help and participation to make this event successful.”
Ten major items — worth at least $1,000 each — are needed for the live auction. Some donations hoped for might include a weekend in Italy or a lunch with a famous person or celebrity. Additional items are needed for the silent auction as well — worth at least $50 and up. Two examples might be a gift certificate to a restaurant or a store, bottles of wine, or a free stay for a pooch at a kennel.
Bob Anderson, president of the Sunrise Rotary, said he is thinking about auctioning off a fall color cruise in his airplane.
Money raised also will go to many other community organizations in addition to the three biggest recipients from last year, including Junior Achievement, CASA, the Santa Project, and the Salvation Army, to name just a few.
To find out how to donate, contact Anderson, president of the local Sunrise Rotary, at 432-0347 or at randerson@swiftcomanies.com.
In other business:
— Both Lisa Hughey, Olin Responsible Care regulatory specialist from Olin Chemicals Inc., and Lisa Calfee, director with Reliv International, became the Sunrise Rotary’s newest members Thursday. Some of the missing classifications in the Sunrise Rotary include upholstering, urban planning, vending machines, youth work and zoology.
— The Sunrise Rotary is holding a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on April 2 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Tri-State Exhibition Center. Acceptable waste includes automotive and marine products, home maintenance and improvement products, home lawn and garden products, and electronics.
Waste that will not be accepted include medical and biological items, explosives and ammunition, radioactives, business institutional waste, and miscellaneous other items. For more information, call 476-9160.
— Yaunna Higgins, executive director at New Hope Pregnancy Care Center, was given a check for $750. New Hope Pregnancy Care is a Christ-centered agency serving the community in three main areas, pregnancy prevention, intervention and reconciliation.
— The national Rotary has started the Rotary Japan & Pacific Islands Disaster Recovery Fund. To find out how to donate, contact Anderson, president of the local Sunrise Rotary, at 432-0347 or at randerson@swiftcomanies.com.
