Learn about the amazing ongoing or future projects that are being undertaken in our eight districts. Here is where you can find information about projects that are still underway or starting soon, and they will often have contact information on how you can potentially join the project and get involved.
Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus
The Rotary Foundation is recognized as one of the most effective and well-managed charitable organizations in the world, with 12 consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator and an A-plus rating from CharityWatch.
We know that the Foundation is helping Rotarians do good in the world, but it can be difficult to convey the full scope of its work. These are just some of the amazing projects being done by Rotarians in our seven districts with the help of the Rotary Foundation...
Water to save the life of children in La Guajira
Increasing Access to Clean Drinking Water for the indigenous Wayuu people
Rotary District 7930 under the leadership of the Chelsea Rotary Club is cooperating with the Fonseca Club in La Guajira, Colombia to bring clean drinking water to the villages of the indigenous Wayuu people on the Guajira peninsula. The area where the Wayuu live is a desert climate and there are over 350,000 indigenous people in this northern peninsula in Colombia. Over 5,000 indigenous children have died in the last few years from lack of water and other diseases derived from lack of water.
Saving the Ipswich River
The Lifeblood of Our Communities
Our water sources, the Ipswich River and adjacent watersheds of the Parker and the Essex Rivers, are threatened and may disappear if action is not taken. Through the work of Rotarians, Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA) and Youth partners, we can support a process preventing the current loss of water and advocate for conservation efforts insuring a water supply for future generations.
Nepal’s Great Himalaya Trail
Economic and Community Development of Eco-Tourism
Creating successful and sustainable eco-tourism and micro enterprise among extremely poor mountain villages. Build on proven initiatives started in the Makalu and other parts of Nepal over the past 20+ years, harness a proven Appreciative Planning and Action (APA) development methodology along Nepal’s 1000 mile Great Himalaya Trail (GHT)—spanning the entire 500 miles from East to West Nepal.
Interact Microfinance Grant
Empowering People Across the Globe
Microfinance is a great tool for Interact Clubs: the club can raise some money and then decide which loans to give out and follow those borrowers and their progress. In doing so, the students learn about the true value of money, how they can have an impact on lifting others out of poverty, and what real economic inequality looks like. The Marblehead Interact Club has been doing this for many years.
Salesian Boys & Girls Club
Sending kids to Camp Rotary
The Rotary Club of Belle Isle in District 7930 is working on a district grant to send underprivileged kids from the Salesian Boys & Girls Club of East Boston to a week of summer camp at Camp Rotary in Boxford.
Burkina Faso 20-Well Project
Increasing Access to Clean Drinking Water
Rotary District 7930 under the leadership of the Marblehead Rotary Club is cooperating with the Cristal Club of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso and with BARKA Foundation to bring clean drinking water to impoverished communities in Burkina Faso, which is a Francophone nation of 20 million people in the Sahel of West Africa, just south of the Sahara. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 182 out of 189 on the UNDP Human Development Index.
Rotary Club of Fall River
HAPPY FEET Project
Happy Feet provides at-risk elementary school children with new shoes and socks. We have expanded this project in the last couple of years to include homeless children as funds are available. Outreach to the elementary schools is done by Rotarians from the Fall River Club. Needy students are identified by school teachers and administration. Parents are notified and asked if they would like to participate. Once approved, Rotarians purchase the appropriate number of shoes and socks and the Rotarians deliver them to the school. Great care is given to involve the parents in the process. 2020-2021 is the seventh year that the Rotary Club of Fall River is running this project. This project has been highly successful and continues to expand every year. This past year (2019/2020) the Rotary Club of Fall River purchased and delivered in excess of 24 pairs of shoes and 492 pairs of socks to children in Fall River. Although the pandemic interrupted our project this year, we are looking forward to a robust re-start when schools are again available to partner with us in March. For more information contact us at: frrotary@gmail.com
Curbing sexual trafficking
One Rotarian and 99 Volunteers make dresses to curb sexual trafficking
Simple, brightly colored cotton sundresses are sewn and donated to Hope 4 Women International, who then distribute them. The dresses are intended to keep girls less vulnerable to rape and sex trafficking; every dress has a pocket with a label that indicates the girl has family and community who care. This is believed to be a deterrent to predators.
Amigos de Honduras Mission
Medical, Dental, Schools and Pure Water
Over the last nineteen years, Rotary District 7870 (59 Rotary Clubs in Southern NH and Southern VT) have had 29 mission trips and provided aid to Honduras which is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. Twenty-three (23) trips to Danli and Six (6) to San Pedro Sula.
Supporting Environmental Projects in South Africa
Join us in supporting Rotary's newest Area of Focus
Wallingford Rotary Club is supporting Newlands (Cape Town) Rotary Club's project celebrating Rotary's new "Area of Focus: The Environment. Newlands has initiated a campaign to celebrate Rotary‘s introduction of the newest area of focus, by wearing bracelets which will fund ten environmental projects as well as support Relate, a non-profit organization.
100 Holes of Golf in One Day
A Milford, NH Rotary Club Fundraiser
That’s right, 100 holes…it’s not a typo…and it’s not your typical scramble, best ball or alternate shot event. It’s 100 straight holes of uninterrupted golf in one day.
Safe Passages – Camino Sequro
This year marks the 22nd year of successful growth for Safe Passage. Each year presented its own challenges. Each year the staff and students rose to meet and overcome all obstacles. This January presents yet another challenge as they prepare for the opening of their campus and adapting to the new “normal” of uncertainty that COVID-19 has brought.
Please help ensure that our students can continue their education. With your help, we were able to see almost 100% of our students move on to the next level last year and we can do it again in 2021, no matter what the challenges may be.
Please visit our website, safepassage.org
Explore the beauty of Wampanoag Culture and influence…
Marcus Hendricks offers opportunity to learn and appreciate our heritage…
Marcus Hendricks is an indigenous professional that creates and distributes handmade Wampum jewelry. Following traditional native teachings, nothing goes to waste. When fishing for Quahogs, the leftover shells are used to make jewelry, and the meat is cooked to produce Cape Cod's best tasting Stuffed Quahogs. There is a long history and extensive culture behind the well-known Wampanoag Shells and Marcus is happy to share this culture with the world.
Visit us at: https://wampanoagshells.com/
Interact
Plymouth Regional High School Interact Club Brings Joy to Local Children Through Story Hour
The Plymouth Regional High School Interact Club, led by President Taylor Maine, recently kicked off their Story Hour Series to reach out to local children during the ongoing pandemic. On Saturday, December 19, the Interactors led a very successful story hour, the first in a planned series of monthly story hours.
To coordinate with their young audience and their parents, Taylor and her colleagues established the private Facebook group “Virtual Storytime NH”. Each Saturday morning at 9:30 am, the Interactors connect with the children, read stories and answer questions from the children about the stories.
Rotary Supports Vocational School
Training Our Future Builders
For 48 years the Rotary Club of Bath in conjunction with the Bath Regional Vocational Center has financed the construction of a home that is then sold by the Rotary at fair market value. The proceeds not only finance the next year's building project but are also used for school equipment, student toolships and scholarships.
The students get real world building experience under the supervision of the vocational school instructors. The skills acquired during each year's project enable the students to become skilled and proficient in construction and thereby able to enter the workforce on a more competitive basis.
Special Needs Fishing Day
A Fun & Relaxing Day of Fishing for Kids and Adults with Special Needs
The Rotary Club of Tyngsboro-Dunstable, with help from the Rotary Clubs of Dracut, Lowell, Merrimack Valley and Nashua, NH, has been running an annual special needs fishing day for many years. Close to 100 special needs people and associated care givers and family attend this fun activity with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs provided free of charge. Fishing rods are donated by Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife while the cost of stocking fish, worm bait, T-shirts and lunch are provided by Rotary.
Reality Fair
Financial reality for students
Imagine you’re a high school student, transported into the future. You earn a salary but have bills to pay. You need to find housing, transportation, food, household items, clothing, and other wants and needs. You need to make choices and create a livable budget. Welcome to the financial Reality Fair!
Multiple Rotary Clubs in D7910 have been running Financial Reality Fairs at local high schools to educate students.
Social Equity Task Force
Working to Build a Diverse, Inclusive & Equitable Rotary
District 7910’s Social Equity Task Force values a commitment to individual and club efforts, to build respect, dignity, fairness, caring, equality and self-esteem. A top priority for District 7910 is increasing and diversifying our membership to reflect the communities we serve, and to help our Clubs be inclusive of all cultures, experiences, and identities. We're creating an organization that is more open and inclusive, fair to all, builds goodwill, and benefits our communities. The mission of the District 7910’s Social Equity Task Force is to lead, guide and inform all clubs and their members about the importance of creating a welcoming, accepting and inclusive environment for all, and the necessity of fostering and promoting an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion to attract, develop, engage and retain exceptional service-minded individuals.
Owen’s Odyssey: A Hike to End Polio (2021)
Owen's Odyssey: A Hike to End Polio is Owen’s attempt to make the world a slightly better place and he is inviting us to be part of his journey! His goal will be to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine (Approximately 2,200 mile) to raise funds for polio eradication using the “Raise-for-Rotary” website. Owen’s route will take him through (or near) five districts that are part of Northeast PETS. Please explore the website and follow him on social media. This is building up to make 2021 a memorable year and bring us that much closer to ending polio!
Clubs in several NEPETS districts have agreed to host Owen during his journey.
D7910 Rotary@Work Initiative
Fellowship, Networking, and Community Impact
Most people join Rotary for Fellowship, Networking (personal/business) and to have an Impact on our communities and the world through service. Our Rotary@Work initiative integrates business with contributions in all three ways. This initiative brings Rotarians together to support each other and their communities by expanding business and professional development in these three areas to increase the value of Rotary membership: Growth, Career & Jobs, and Mentoring/Advice.
Previously, our Rotary Business Networking Series launched in January, 2019, incorporating elements of earlier Rotary Means Business events and increasingly popular business networking groups. Since the start, it has been open to all Rotarians and “not-yet” Rotarians, who were interested in doing more business with Rotarians more often because we are people of integrity who value the 4-Way Test in business as we do in life.