The Rotary Club of West Springfield members and grant recipients gathered for the grant ceremony in June.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Rotary Club of West Springfield awarded nearly $17,000 in grants to 10 local organizations, funding projects ranging from refugee education and veterans’ services to youth programs, environmental safety and public library resources.
The grant program assists civic organizations, educational institutions and nonprofits that “work toward the betterment of West Springfield’s quality of life,” according to a press release.
Organizations apply every spring and chosen applicants receive the grants in a June ceremony, with awards prioritized based on requests that demonstrate the maximum benefit to the greatest number of people and preference toward supporting the West Springfield community.
Organizations awarded this year include CHD Cancer House of Hope, DaMonique’s Homeless Resource Initiative, YMCA of Greater Springfield, Welcoming Alliance for Refugee Ministry, West Springfield Environmental Committee, The Majestic Theater, West Springfield Public Library, West Springfield Church of Christ, St. Thomas the Apostle School and the Springfield Vet Center.
One hundred percent of the club’s fundraising dollars are put toward local and global community needs. Modern fundraisers include a wine-tasting event, evolving from the club’s candle-nipping events at The Big E nearly 100 years ago. The club also awards scholarships to graduating seniors that spreads out over four years.
Rotary Grants Committee Chair Curtis Edgin said the club raises funds through a “mixed bag” of methods, such as fundraisers or club fees, which changes the grant amount each year. Nonprofits are allowed to request up to $3,000, with other organizations having a maximum of $2,000.
He said the club received around a dozen applicants and fortunately had the means to fund most of them.
“Each year, we’re doing $15,000, $20,000, somewhere in there depending on what is available,” Edgin said. “We don’t like to fund just one-time events, or you know, a trip to something. It’s more ‘hey, what’s something that can be here in the community?’ … For the most part, it’s West Springfield and the surrounding communities for something that’s gonna endure, you know, a nonprofit needs a refrigerator or a clock on the commons.”
He said the club’s motto is “service above self,” and that it tries to give opportunities to organizations that will trickle out into the world.
“We try to pick the ones that are giving back to the community,” Edgin said. “We’re giving back to the community through them by doing that. If it’s a capital expense, a picnic table, it’s not only gonna be around this year, they’re going to eat on that table this year, they’re gonna eat on that table next year. We’ve been able to find needs that keep on giving … We raise with purpose, not just for the sake of raising money. When we give it back to the community, everyone benefits.”
The Rotary Club meets for lunch on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. More information can be found at westspringfieldrotaryclub.com.
