In Midcoast Maine, so many of us are blessed with jobs, food and a warm place to sleep at night. We often take these things for granted. When Pinny Beebe Center of Penquis CAP spoke to West Bay Rotary Club last May about the Hospitality House in Rockport, many of us were awakened to a different reality.

We learned about the closing of the Hospitality House, the homeless shelter in Rockport that serves our region. We learned about the serious need for this facility, and the need for consumable supplies, specifically furniture, linens and beds. And since then, even more poignant stories have raised our awareness and commitment to this project.

Did you know that the Knox County Homeless Coalition has been working with clients in two motels, those living in their cars/vans, and those couch surfing or 'doubling up’ (living in space designed for a single family but having two or more families inhabit it) in the Midcoast area? Did you know that since November 2012, the Coalition has worked with 87 adults/families (this does not include the children), procured or provided case management for 51 and helped fill out housing forms for 46? Of those, 43 are on the Section 8 housing voucher list, and have achieved a notable level of success: 30 are now in stable housing of their own, 19 received education/training/certificates, and 11 are gainfully employed.

The success of this organization is notable as it works to coordinate and facilitate efforts by organizations and individuals to deliver services to homeless persons; provide, or cause to be provided, temporary transitional shelter for individuals and families; undertake, promote, develop and encourage employment counseling, training and placement of homeless persons; and undertake activities to foster the prevention of homelessness.

When we heard this story, some of us were quietly moved to action. A West Bay Rotarian who won our $1,000 raffle prize at the Duck Derby, turned around and donated it to Hospitality House that very same day. As president of West Bay Rotary Club this year, I selected Hospitality House as my Club's Project for this year. While we support many worthy organizations and causes throughout the year, and run endless fundraisers to pay for these donations, the President's Project is a financial commitment and a commitment of labor and donations throughout the year.

Since July 1, we have collected dozens of boxes of soaps, shampoos and toiletries, and have a different set of donations each month. We have collected and donated beds, bedding and linens from Rotarians and the community at large so that 21 beds can be opened to homeless families. We have moved boxes and furniture, assembled beds and donated dozens of hours of time. With the help of Adult Ed Program Director Tim Dresser, who is a West Bay Rotarian, we are furnishing the Resource Room for future residents of the Hospitality House. West Bay Rotarians and their businesses, including Peter Berke at North Atlantic Painting, have donated dozens of hours of painting walls and trim.

Most importantly, we have been blessed by the support of the community. At our Chowder Challenge in September, a woman handed us a sealed envelope with $50 cash for the Hospitality House. My hairdresser spoke to her American Legion in Rockland and the Legion Riders (motorcyclists) are donating $25 a month to support this project. Our own club donation of several thousand dollars for the house will be handed over in a few months.

The Hospitality House will open when its board of directors hires an executive director. They hope to have someone on board before winter. We hope so too. We know that homelessness in the affluence of the Midcoast has been under the radar for years and we, as a community, cannot ignore it. We have children and adults who are homeless and are holding it together as best they can. They are often homeless through no fault of their own. We have a responsibility to help.

West Bay Rotary supports many projects locally and internationally. We are a service organization. Our Club donates all the funds that we raise back into our communities, each and every year. Our fundraisers make our giving possible. We appreciate the support of the community for our Chili and Chowder challenges, our Christmas Tree Sales, our Duck Derby and many other events and fundraisers throughout the year. For more information about West Bay Rotary and the Hospitality House, visit WestBayRotaryOfMaine.org and Facebook/HospitalityHouseKCSC.

Related stories:

• Hannah Ives: What I did on my summer vacation

• Knox County Homeless Coalition: The story of Susan

• Amy Libby: Giving a fish

Jane Lafleur is West Bay Rotary President 2013-2014