Who would have ever thought the Rotary Club would have almost 40 members meet on a cold, rainy May evening. But, from the comfort of our own homes we are continuing our weekly meetings and getting together via Zoom.

President Rick Elder started with a few words of welcome followed by a lively round of “Happy/Sad Dollars.” The most common reflection of the “Happy Dollar” was how grateful we feel to live in this caring, beautiful community during this unprecedented time. Almost $110.00 was raised too.

Our new Foundation Chairwoman, Judi White, led us in a brief “Foundation Trivia.” Did you know the Rotary Foundation was started in 1917. The first donation was $27.50, which Thom Marston figured was close to $500 in today’s dollars .Since 1917 the Rotary Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life changing, sustainable projects world wide.

Judi encouraged us to continue our annual Foundation giving. You can give to the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund, the Polio fund where all donations are matched by the Gates Foundation, the World Fund or the the new COVID-19 Disaster Fund. It is easy to give, just go to rotary.org and hit “Donate.” Or if paper is better, Judi is leaving donation forms at the clubhouse.

Becca Weinstein shared the fun and success of our “Sunshine Basket” project. We made and delivered 32 cheerful baskets to St. Andrews Village. We are grateful to the Boothbay Region Greenhouses and the St. Andrews Thrift Store for their donations to this project.

Marty Helman shared the latest news from the Restaurant/Health Care Worker gift certificate project. So far we have raised around $3,800, almost $500 from non-Rotarian community members responding after the recent article in the Boothbay Register. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed. We wish you could see the smiles from the restaurants and the health care workers. You can still contribute at Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club, P.O. Box 518, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538. Write “Restaurant” in the memo line.

Even, and maybe because, of these challenging times we still welcome new members. We can be contacted at boothbayharborrotaryclub.org