Submitted by Kris Fehr, Grants Subcommittee Chair
By Kim Nelson, District Governor-Elect and member of District Grants Subcommittee
What began as a fun community project became a powerful partnership between a local Rotary club, a community organization and the Fire Department. Together, the groups organized a motorcycle run to raise funds and awareness.
The proceeds helped the Fire Department purchase a thermal imaging camera - a vital tool that allows firefighters to detect heat behind walls and locate people who may be trapped in smoke-filled buildings. The project also created an opportunity for the partners to get to know one another and learn more about the work each does for the community.
As the project chair shared, “I wouldn’t call them challenges; I would call them learning experiences. Both of our organizations were unfamiliar with each other, so working on this together helped us learn more about one another and the work we all do for the community.”With support from a Rotary District local matching grant, the Rotary Club of Wahpeton Breckenridge and its community partners contributed $4,250, which the District matched with an additional $4,250—bringing the total raised to $8,500. Everyone had fun, the Fire Department gained an important piece of lifesaving equipment, and a new community partnership was built. That’s the power of working together!
Learn more about Rotary Grants here.