Rotary of Port Clinton Treasurer Marty Folger and President Pat Adkins deliver baskets of donations for United Way’s Head-to-Toe Self Care Pantry and Bistro 163’s Community Food Table.

In a year without any of its traditional fundraisers, Rotary Club of Port Clinton is quietly and effectively finding ways to spread the spirit of giving and help members of its community. This month, Rotarians raised $2,300 in support of the 2020 Thanksgiving Drive-Thru, which is a Bistro 163 and United Way in Ottawa County event providing free Thanksgiving meals to area residents.

For the first time in almost 30 years, the Thanksgiving community meal will be held without the community dining together. Packaged dinners will be available drive-through style on Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 4–6 p.m., at the side door of Bistro 163. Call or email by Saturday, Nov. 21 to reserve a meal at 419-734-6645, info@unitedwayottawacounty.org, or 419-734-9887, bacollinsworth@comcast.net.

Additional donations and volunteers are needed.

The Rotary Club’s donation comes on the heels of its previous Bistro 163 spring donation of $5,500, which immediately helped to feed the community when, as Rotary Assistant Governor Duane Waite noted, “the economy first took a dive, and all was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Recognizing the holidays can be difficult for some residents, even in a normal year, Rotary Club members also recently collected toiletry items to add to United Way’s Head-to-Toe Self Care Pantry, in addition to canned goods for Bistro 163’s Community Food Table.

“As Rotarians, we are very excited to make our financial donation to the Thanksgiving Drive-Thru,” said Rotary President Pat Adkins. “Our motto is ‘Service Above Self.’ Even without being able to conduct our regular fundraisers, our club felt it was important to give back to our community when so many need it the most. I’m very proud to be part of such a generous organization.”

Founded Jan. 28, 1946, Rotary Club of Port Clinton will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2021. Over the decades, the club has supported those near and far, raising thousands of dollars for area student scholarships and international Polio eradication, thanks to Rotary’s annual Pizza Challenge and Perch Wagon fundraisers, both of which had to be put on hold this year.

The club was one of the sponsors of the major school stadium renovation project and was instrumental in supporting and building the Flagship Collaborative Play Place at Lakeview Park. In recent months, Rotary has offered support for Ottawa County’s new Imagination Library program, bringing free books to area children.

According to Rotary.org, Rotary International is a “global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers, who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.” In 1979, the organization began a project to immunize six million children against polio in the Philippines. Rotary’s efforts have helped reduce polio cases by 99.9 percent.

Anyone with questions or interest in supporting the club’s community projects may contact President Adkins at padkins@pccsd-k12.net. Rotary of Port Clinton welcomes new members and seeks those interested in giving back to the community via fellowship with other businesses, professionals and community leaders. Visit the Rotary Club of Port Clinton Facebook page for more details.

Questions regarding United Way’s Head-To-Toe Self Care Pantry may also be directed to 419-734-6645. Donations of self-care items, which cannot be purchased with the SNAP benefits card, are always appreciated. The donations can include, but are not limited to, shampoo, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, baby wash, diapers, lotion, razors and shaving cream.