The Belfast Rotary Club donated $17,000 recently to the Clothing Closets programs at seven local elementary and middle schools. The funds come from the Evening by the Bay gala that launched the Club’s 2023 Belfast Harbor Fest. The amount is all the money raised during the event’s live and silent auctions.

The Clothing Closet programs provide new and gently used age-appropriate clothing at no cost for students who may need it. Participating schools are East Belfast School, Captain Albert Stevens School in Belfast, Kermit Nickerson Elementary School in Belfast, Ames School in Searsmont, Gladys Weymouth School in Morrill, Edna Drinkwater Elementary School in Northport and Searsport Elementary School.

“The event succeeded beyond all of our expectations,” says Rotary Club member Sue Beemer, in a news release. Beemer is Head of School at Cornerspring Montessori School in Belfast and chairperson of the Evening by the Bay event committee.

“We set a new record for attendance and fund raising, and the committee chose to benefit local public elementary schools this year,” she said. “Thanks to sponsorships and gifts from individuals, organizations and businesses, the Rotary Club was able to provide gifts equal to all the money raised by the auctions. We are especially grateful to Paul Naron and United Farmers Market, Mathews Brothers, Ducktrap River of Maine, Bell the Cat and a generous anonymous individual donor for their special, generous sponsorship gifts.”

Support for community projects such as the Clothing Closets is just one of Belfast Rotary Club’s major charitable efforts every year. Others include food program support, funds for Rotary International’s Polio Eradication project and holiday gifts of winter clothing, boots and toys for more than 200 Waldo County children. The Club also awards $80,000 in scholarships each year to graduating students from Belfast Area High School, Searsport District High School, Mt. View High School and the Waldo County Technical Center. Belfast Rotary Club will donate nearly $160,000 to the community in 2024.

The Club’s next major fund raising and community events are a June golf tournament and the 2024 Belfast Harbor Fest (including the Evening by the Bay gala and auction) on the Belfast waterfront August 16, 17 and 18.

Belfast Rotary Club will celebrate 100 years of service in 2025. The 70-member group, which meets at noon every Wednesday at the Belfast Shrine club, is one of the largest and most active on the midcoast. For information on joining Belfast Rotary or to make a tax-deductible donation in support of the Club’s year-round service and charitable programs, go to belfastrotary.org.