Newark Rotarians pitch in to aid Newark Area Welfare Committee after loss of state aid

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From left, Rotarians Laura DelPercio, Paul Keely, Polly Sierer, and Robin Broomall presented at check for $8,240 to Newark Area Welfare Committee at the kick-off of the Annual Holiday Food Box program. (Photo by Bill Sullivan)
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The Newark Morning Rotary Club presented a check for $8,240 to the Newark Area Welfare Committee  on Thursday.

 The money was raised in a special “Ball Drop” held at the Newark Country Club in October.

For a $10 per ball donation, donors were assigned a numbered ball that went into a large hopper. Then all the balls were dumped at once onto a putting green at the county club, with the balls that were closest to the hole, or went in, winning one of four donated prizes.

Chaired by Rotarian Paul Keely, the fundraiser was held as an answer to a call in need by NAWC itself.  The non-profit organization lost a major part of its funding from state grants for the fourth year in a row.

For the last three years, the Newark Morning Rotarians have raised nearly $30,000 for the committee.

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Additionally this year, the 44 Rotarians took time during one of their meetings to assemble 40 birthday party bags. The decorated bags each contain ingredients for a party of eight to celebrate a child’s birthday, including cake mix, snacks, party bags, plates, napkins, and utensils.  

NAWC works to serve the community through a variety of programs.  Last year they assisted families in need by paying electricity bills, mortgage, and rent payments, temporary shelter or bus passes, to the tune of nearly $80,000.

More than  300 food boxes were distributed at a value of $37,000. Nearly $10,000 was spent to provide shoes for adults and children and another $900 went to providing bagged lunches for homeless or those without means to pay for themselves. Last year the food cupboard provided approximately 17,000 meals.

NAWC operates solely from donations from local individuals, businesses, and charitable and service clubs as well as a grant from the City of Newark.

“Newark Morning Rotarians are proud to help our neighbor who does so much for our community,” said Rotary Club President Joshua Martin. “We never know when disastrous circumstances will hit any one of us.”

The Newark Morning Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, a service organization that focuses on health, education, literacy, and humanitarian needs in the community, both locally and globally. Established in 1999, this group meets at the Courtyard Newark every Thursday at 7 a.m.

For more information, visit Newark Morning Rotary Club at http://www.nmrde.org. 

 

 
 
 
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