The Rotary Club of Sackville and Area was chartered in January last year and will be celebrating its first anniversary this month.
'Service Above Self' is the motto for the international service club that includes 34,000 clubs worldwide.
The Sackville and Area club president Debbie Gascoigne said she couldn't be more proud to be one of the 1.2 million members of a club that does everything from helping raise funds for a local kettle drive to helping feed people in Third World countries and providing relief to victims of earthquakes and other disasters.
"There are six rotary clubs in HRM and we all work toward supporting our community and international projects," she said. "Our club is still in the planning stages and we are determining how we will use our skills and funds to help. We are defining our volunteer strategy with interests in education and literacy, child health, community development and supporting Rotary International in their goal to eradicate polio in the world."
In the meantime, the 26 members of the newest club in HRM are supporting other clubs and projects in the area. They have helped with the Royal Canadian Legion poppy campaign, with a Dartmouth club project to send school supplies to the Dominican Republic, the adopt a highway campaign with the Sackville Lions Club and the Christmas kettle campaign.
"The Rotary Club put many hours into our campaign," said officer and pastor of the Salvation Army Sackville Corp. Wayne Durdle. "They are very community minded and I am in the process of becoming a member."
Sackville Coun. Steve Craig is already a Rotary Club member.
"They are a great addition to Sackville and give the people here another opportunity to get involved," he said. "Our volunteers make up the fabric of our community."
The anniversary celebration will be held on Jan. 19 beginning with a meet and greet at 5 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Other club members from the metro area will be participating as well as special guests. These guests include the international acclaimed sculptors Joseph Landry and Brian Gazeley.
This event will be an opportunity for members and friends to enjoy some camaraderie and reflect on the year's achievements and its future work.
Tickets are by invite only. If you are interested in attending, in purchasing raffle tickets for their latest fundraiser or are interested in finding out more about the club visit www.rotarysackville.ca.
blhall@eastlink.ca
