Rotary International (RI) is a worldwide organization with about 1.2 million members. There are thousands of Rotary Clubs located across the world.

Here in Belfast, we have a very dynamic club with an active membership of more than 60 people. We support many charities in Waldo County. Our main fundraiser is an annual spring golf tournament. Proceeds from this event are dedicated to providing college scholarships to several area high school students. Each Christmas season, we provide clothes and toys for more than 100 area needy children in Waldo County. We support local food banks as well.

This year we are hosting the “Belfast Harbor Fest” in August. This is a fun weekend of marine-related activities including boatbuilding contests and demonstrations. In September we will conduct another electronic waste (eWaste) collection and recycling event. This has become a major fund raiser and service project. This event is a win-win event for all concerned.  Everyone is happy to properly dispose of their unwanted eWaste and donations from this event go to support various local charities.

A portion of our charitable funds is directed toward RI service projects. Currently RI is providing and installing clean drinking water wells and purification systems in Central and South America. RI has also provided major physical and financial support to eradicate the world of polio. Only a few areas in and near India are still experiencing new outbreaks of polio.