Carlisle Rotary Clubs present a check for over $26,500 to Safe Harbour. The funds were raised during Rotary’s annual holiday auction. Pictured from left to right are David Kammerer, President of the Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club, Geoff Mangelsdorf, President of the Carlisle Rotary Club, Scott Shewell, Safe Harbour President and CEO and Paul Edger, Chairman of Safe Harbour’s Board of Directors.

 

Each year Carlisle’s two Rotary Club Presidents identify one project or organization to be the focus of their holiday auction. Selected this year was Safe Harbour, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides a continuum of housing and supportive services for homeless and nearly homeless individuals and families in our communities. 

 

Given the amount that Rotary has raised during previous auctions, a goal of $20,000 was set to be applied toward Safe Harbour’s $30,000 planned renovation of their emergency shelter bathrooms that are essential to keep their residents safe and healthy. To reach this goal, Rotary’s auction had two components this year. First, an online auction to allow community participation, and second, a silent and live auction conducted during Rotary’s annual dinner at the Comfort Suites on 10 December. 

 

The online auction bidding took place from 3 to 10 December and raised just over $2,000. The dinner auctions raised over $5,800. Additionally, over $17,300 was raised in sponsorships by members and friends of both Rotary Clubs bringing the total for the auction to over $26,500. Achieving this goal was only possible thanks to the generosity of Rotarians and local businesses who donated items to be auctioned.  

 

While Rotary’s dinner was cancelled last year due to COVID, club members were extremely happy to be back in person for their annual gala. As has become a tradition, each club recognized the recipient of their annual distinguished Rotarian award. The Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club recognized Past President Dodie Wise as the “Buzz Coho Distinguished Service Citation” recipient The Carlisle Rotary Club recognized Past President Dan Monken as their “Four-Way Test Award” recipient. Also recognized with the Paul Harris Fellow Award was John W. Gleim, Jr. for his outstanding support of the Sunrise Club’s tree planting project along the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail.