Over 200 attendees from 39 Rotary Clubs participated in the District Foundation Dinner on Thursday night (11/7) at the Pine Orchard Yacht Club in Branford Connecticut. Clubs and Individuals were recognized for their outstanding support of the Rotary Foundation over the past year as they enjoyed an entertaining program, nice music, a great meal as well as fabulous fellowship.

The following Rotary Clubs were recognized for their outstanding Foundation support:  Branford, Bridgeport, Clinton, Hamden, Madison, Milford, Monroe, Montville, New Canaan, New Haven, New London, Newtown, Niantic, North Branford, Norwalk, Orange, Ridgefield, Seymour-Oxford, The Stoningtons, Tribury, Trumbull, Westport, Westport Sunrise and Wilton.

The following Rotarians were recognized as Major Donors: Linda Bouvier (Milford) and Angelo and Toni Verdini (North Haven)

Rotarian Cliff Heidinger (Ridgefield) was recognized for running an annual progressive dinner in their club which was raised over $50,000 for the Rotary Foundation.

The following Rotarians were recognized for their efforts in the ‘Boots’ program: Rick Benson (Westport), John Bradshaw (Mystic), Simon Cooper (Ridgefield), Robert Friend (Madison), Donna Gada (Niantic), Colin Gershon (New Haven), Alan Hurst (East Hampton), Jim Lang (Trumbull), Gerri Lewis (Old Saybrook), George Markley (Fairfield), Chip Marsh (Branford), Mukund Nori (North Branford), Julie Reppenhagen (Housatonic-Valley), Nancy Riella (Colchester), Rupi Rupwani (Naugatuck), Jim Satterwhite (Madison), Sheryl Shaughnessey (Fairfield), Gerry Tom (New London) and Dennis Wong (Westport Sunrise).

Former District Foundation Chair Mac Leask summed it up the spirit of D7980’s activity in the  Rotary Foundation perfectly when he said:

“Last year Rotarians from District 7980 and their Clubs were truly dream makers.  District 7980 Rotary Clubs funded in 19 Different District Managed Grants during 2012-13.  We funded 8 different Global Matching Grants including a literacy project in Bridgeport Connecticut that we expect the Rotary Foundation to approve in the 2013-14 Rotary Year.  We funded 2 Global Grant Scholarships, 1 special Initiative Scholarship and 2 Service Above Self Scholarships.  We committed to a Vocational Training Team to Sierra Leone organized by the Norwalk Rotary Club, which we expect to be funded during the 2013-14 Rotary year. The Global Grant Projects funded through the Rotary Foundation totaled $732,114 in global grant projects.  Because of the way our Rotary Clubs use the matching process, to fund these projects our clubs only had to provide $100,522 in new funds from District 7980 Rotary Clubs.  In addition we provided $63,938 for District Grants and Scholarships to projects initiated by our District’s Rotary Clubs.  Each of these projects saved and changed lives here at home and across the world. 

 It’s the dollars given to our Rotary Foundation that allow us to Fund Scholarships, Vocational Training Teams and Grants that Save and Change Lives.  The money Rotarians give is what funds Rotarians efforts to make Rotary’s Dream, a reality.  District 7980 Rotarians understand that.  Over half of District 7980 Rotarians gave at least $100 to the Annual Fund of our Rotary Foundation.  District wide, Rotarians and their Clubs gave $128.96 per Rotarian during 2012-2013.  Our District was 1^st in Zone 32 in Total dollars given to the Annual Fund.  Distinct 7980 was 1^st in Zone 32 in per capital giving to Our Rotary Foundation.   We had 83 Paul Harris Fellows and 1203 sustaining members, more than any other District in Zone 32.”

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the success of this event including: Chip Marsh (Branford), Doug Lisk (New Haven), Diane Eger (Orange), Phoebe Leask (Fairfield), Mac Leask (Fairfield), Brian Amey (Newtown), Rick Benson (Westport), Tony Fappiano (Guilford), Jack Srebnik (Branford), George Markley (Fairfield), Jim Lang (Trumbull), Dave Wolfe (Monroe), Alan Hurst (East Hampton), Natalia Svirschevsky (Speaker), Courtney Matson (Speaker), Dale Moore (Madison), Craig & Carolyn Bernard (Madison) and Jim Satterwhite (Madison). Hopefully no one was left out.