President Clint Boxman is nearing the end of his term as Rotary president, with many of his goals almost complete.
At the beginning of his term, Clint set of goal of 40 club members. With the addition of Walt Elliot and Bobbie Moore, and the corporate memberships of Columbia Bank and Kingston Wellness, the club now numbers 37 members.
Another lofty goal of Clint’s was to raise $50,000 by July 1. As of May 1, the club has raised about $30,000, on its own and in joint efforts with other groups: $7,500 was raised in a joint effort with the Kiwanis Feed The Kids Campaign and $3,500 was raised with the Kingston Running Club’s Fourth of July Fun Run. The REA Mowery Foundation added $13,900 to our fundraising, and $3,500 was the net from last summer’s Rotary Beer and Wine Garden.
The last Rotary fundraiser of the year will be the sixth annual Rotary Golf Tournament, June 22 at White Horse Golf Club. Local businesses are stepping up to be tee sponsors or event sponsors. Among those participating as sponsors of this year’s event are Liberty Bay Bank, Kingston CPA, Windermere Real Estate, 20/20 Eyecare Center, Kitsap Credit Union, Kitsap Bank, Edward Jones, Little City Catering and Cuppa Bella, The Watermark Group, Kingston Crossing Wellness Clinic, The Filling Station, Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, North Kitsap Herald, Kitsap Physical Therapy, Stanley Steemer, Port Gamble Theater, Savage Plants, American West Bank, and Apple Tree Cove Dental Center.
Golf tournament chairs Breane Martinez and Karen Gibson hope to raise $21,000 at this year’s tournament to help President Boxman reach his goal. To learn more about being a tournament sponsor or playing in the tournament, check out the website at www.knkrotarygolf.com, or call (360) 286-5178.
Don Hutchins will serve as the next Rotary president, beginning in July, as Rotarians prepare for a busy summer. First on the list is the raising of the tent in Mike Wallace Park, Port of Kingston so that it can be used for community events and the Rotary Beer and Wine Garden.
This is followed by the Kingston Fourth of July Fun Run, which earns money for Rotary and the Kingston Running Club. The run takes place the morning of July 4, before Rotarians take off to march in the Fourth of July parade.
Kingston Rotary members will serve beer and wine at the Rotary Beer Tent during this summer’s Concerts on the Cove. Concerts begin on July 7 and take place every Saturday evening through Aug. 25 at Mike Wallace Park. The Rotary Beer Tent opens at 6 p.m. and concerts run from 7-9 p.m. Food vendors will be on hand and you are welcome to bring food into the Rotary Beer Tent while you enjoy a beverage.
The last item on Rotary’s busy summer schedule is the construction of the Picnic Pavilion at Village Green Park. Rotarians are providing additional funding and help building the pavilion using materials and labor donated by community resources. The pavilion project was spearheaded by Greg House of Washington Precast Concrete and designed by Brad Pugh of the Larson Casteel Company. Construction will begin as soon as the final permits are approved.
All in all, a busy summer lies ahead for Kingston Rotary. Please join us at a meeting to learn more about these projects and to take part in shaping your community. Meetings are held every Wednesday at noon at the Paul Nichols North Kitsap Fire and Rescue Station on Miller Bay Road in Kingston. Gather at 11:45 a.m. to socialize before the lunch provided by Little City Catering.
For more information on joining Rotary, contact Fredrick Branchflower at fbranchflower@comcast.net.
