The Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise will hold its annual fall fundraiser, the Harvest Moon Bash, Oct. 17 in Kailua-Kona.
The $35 admission fee includes pupu, a beer or nonalcoholic drink from Kona Brewing Co., and a choice of prime rib or vegetarian lasagna provided by Big Island Grill, as well as a chance to win many great door prizes including a koa table donated by Tess Rumley of Rumley Art and Frames. The event will take place at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, and along with a silent auction there will be live music featuring Jack and the Rippers.
“It’s the best deal in town, but more than that, this is a great opportunity to support the Rotary club’s efforts to provide scholarships to needy students,” said club president Bev Frasier.
With the funds raised at the event, the club hopes to provide three or four $1,500 to $2,000 college scholarships to students from West Hawaii high schools. The group also offer one scholarship to a deserving student in the township of Fundinjobo, South Africa.
South Africa? How did a Rotary Club on the Big Island get involved with a community on the other side of the globe?
“Our club, which is one of four Rotary Clubs in West Hawaii, is primarily focused on local, community projects where we go out, get our hands dirty and make something happen. Some of our efforts have been to improve the handicap ramps in town, remodel the domestic abuse shelter, and, every year we do our ‘Ding Dong Dinner Ditch’ where, in partnership with the Salvation Army, we deliver Christmas dinners to people who can’t afford it. However, we are also involved in projects around the world,” said Frasier.
Some of the other projects that the Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise has undertaken include providing computers to schools in South Africa, which explains the connection for the scholarship there, as well as their work with Derek Chignell and his foundation, Water for Life. Through this program they are building wells and hand washing sanitation stations in undeveloped areas such as Kosovo. Together with 24 other Rotary clubs in five different countries they have raised more than $92,000 and just broke ground on this project.
“None of this would be possible without the community support at events such as these,” Frasier points out.
There are more than 34,000 Rotary clubs around the globe comprising at least 1.2 million members. There are eight clubs on the Big Island alone. Each club is autonomous and can choose what projects they would like to pursue, while also having the option to join efforts with other clubs around the world. Rotary’s motto is “Service above Self,” and they are probably best know for their work over the past 30 years eliminating polio. Rotary has nearly succeeded in this mission with polio only remaining in three countries: Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“There is a lot of poverty in the world. As an individual there isn’t much I can do, but through Rotary, we can make a huge difference,” said Frasier about her decision to join Rotary.
Anyone looking to learn more can attend the club’s weekly meeting at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday at Laverne’s Sports Bar or by attending the Harvest Moon Bash from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or at the Queen K. Tesoro, Kailua Candy Co. and Westside Wines, or by calling Mike May at 756-5565.