I want to start this update with a huge thank you to everyone who helped make our annual “Fishbowl” such a successful event. The weather was gorgeous, the restaurants – all 21 of them that participated – were scrumptious, and the generosity of everybody that attended was over the top. On our 50-50 raffle, alone, we were able to generate $1,400 USD of which Rotary kept $700 USD and gave $700 USD to one lucky winner. Our fundraising protocol was focused on one goal, and that was to help open the local dialysis center. Due to the fundraising efforts of the Rotary, we were able to present the dialysis center with a check for $15,000 USD and we were thrilled to be able to do this!
The plan for the opening of the dialysis center goes like this: Rotary bought a much-needed piece of equipment and gave the center the check for $15,000 USD. The City of Peñasco will pay for the electricity, water, and other utilities, and three businesses in town will pay for the employment of three people. This will enable the sustainability of the center. This is a joint effort to improve the quality of life in Puerto Peñasco for all of us who live here and love this little slice of paradise. We will all benefit from the opening of this dialysis center.
This was our 7th Annual “Fishbowl” – it is always a fun activity and a wonderful opportunity to get the community together. I must tell you it’s not a great fundraiser for Rotary as the overhead to put this event on is not cheap. So, the way that we offset this and still raise some money is by selling football squares for the Super Bowl, once again many of you have participated and purchased squares from a Rotarian. We sold squares 100 for $100 USD each with one winner that won $5000 and $5000 stays with the Rotary. We sold another board of squares for $20 each. A fourth of $1000 paid back each quarter and at the end of the Super Bowl $1000 goes back to Rotary. All of our fundraising activities go to promote the quality of life in Peñasco. We haven’t given up on adult literacy and beautification of our community but the dialysis center has been our priority right now.
Many times, I have mentioned how important it is to have a Rotary club in Puerto Peñasco not just for the support our club gives to the community but because many other Rotary clubs from around the world also affiliate with us. These clubs come to Rocky Point to do service projects. Just last week we had two Rotary clubs from Utah spend a week in our community. While they were here, they painted, built, cleaned, and provided resources to different organizations in our community. This happens so often many times I don’t have a chance to tell you about it. The donations, the work that groups have performed, and the friendships that have been built are phenomenal. Many of these Rotary clubs that visit our community come back again and again they also provide valuable resources that assist our club in getting things done…Both materials and dollars come to Rocky Point because we have a Rotary presence here.
While selling 50-50 raffle tickets and talking to people at the “Fishbowl” I had the opportunity to talk to many Rotarians from other places or past Rotarians, to both of these groups, I invite you to attend one of our meetings. We meet every week on Wednesday at 9 AM at Puesta del Sol restaurant in Playa Bonita. We would love to have you visit and even more join us! If you need information, do not hesitate to give me a call, my information is at the bottom of this article. Thanks again to all of you for your great support of Rotary! Thanks again to all of you for your great support of Rotary! Thanks again to all of you for your great support of Rotary!
