PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle Rotary Club is gearing up for its third annual Great Big Give Back and is seeking applications for potential proceeds. The Great Big Give Back is the re-engineered Presque Isle Rotary Auction, which features a high-valued gift basket raffle and online auction.
Each year, funds raised go to the PI Rotary Scholarship Fund as well as three external non-profit organizations and projects. Selected community proceeds recipients will each receive up to $3,000 in funds to support their community service efforts.
“When the odds were against us in 2020 to continue the Presque Isle Rotary Club’s long-standing fundraising event with a re-engineered approach, the community stepped up in a big way with their support, generosity, and excitement. This annual event may be led by our club, but it benefits the entire community and the community voice matters. Bringing back the application process will be a step towards this unified approach,” says Chantal Pelletier, president of the Presque Isle Rotary Club.
Jordyn Madore, GBGB chair, says a committee of Presque Isle Rotarians will review all applications received and will select three from the applicant pool. “This year, the GBGB committee will be reviewing applications with a focus on projects that benefit local youth, promote arts and culture activity in the area, and those that serve the broader community; however, these are not requirements to apply for funding,” says Madore.
Recent recipients of funds raised by the Great Big Give Back include Francis Malcolm Science Center, Aroostook Partners in the Arts, C-A-N-C-E-R, United Way of Aroostook, Northern Maine Fair Association, and Crown of Maine Balloon Fest.
“We are very excited to begin planning for this year’s GBGB event,” says Madore. “This year is extra special because we are gearing up for the club’s 100th Anniversary and celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Rotary Auction, so we are working to combine historic auction components with our new format in order to really showcase the evolution of our club, its biggest fundraising event, and the impact the Rotary Auction has had within the community.”
Applicants can complete the online application form found at presqueislerotary.org. The deadline to submit applications is Oct. 15. For more information, visit the Presque Isle Rotary club Facebook page or website or email Madore at jordyn.madore14@gmail.com.
