In these interesting times, it is great to know that your local community members have got your back! The Rotary Club of Neponset Valley Sunrise was out a couple weekend ago, dropping bucks for gift cards from Salem Food Market, El Centro, La Taquria, Midway, Blue Ribbon BBQ, Big Bear Cafe, Brickhouse Cafe, Pizzadoro’s, Cathay Kitchen, Harrow’s, and Risers - all, in Dedham.
The plan, according to club President Tom Maloney, is to support local restaurants by purchasing gift cards. The cards are being donated during December to the town’s veterans and senior organizations.
(Shown, is Joe Hamilton, Dedham’s veterans service officer, picking up gift cards at a recent Rotary club meeting. The cards were purchased by the club from Dedham restaurants, to be distributed to local veterans during the holiday season. Photo: Mckee Photography.)
“Our Duck Race was a pretty successful fundraiser this year,” Tom explains. "Between our sponsors and our fans and duck adopters, we raised over $8,000. It’s time to fulfill our goals as a Rotary club. Since service projects are rather difficult right now, we decided to take those funds and put them toward both our favorite restaurants, and feed the hungry nets and deniors in our community.”
What about the other charitable organizations and scholarships that were mentioned during October's Duck Race adoptions? “We got those covered,”responds Matt McKee, the club’s sergeant at arms. "We have already made donations to the local food pantries and have been planning our scholarships for this year’s Blue Hills Tech graduation. This holiday season, the food pantries really need our help as community members, any way we can.”
The gift cards will be delivered to the town-department officials, to be distributed this holiday season.
The Neponset Valley Sunrise club is represented by club members from Dedham, Needham, Norwood, Roslindale and Westwood. They raise money to support charitable organizations on a local, regional, national and international level. They meet once a week on Zoom. For more information on the club, or to apply to be a member, visit www.nvsrotaryevents.org.
For more information on Secret Santa/Shopper, contact Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotarian Matt McKee at matt@
