More than 800 Rotary clubs, over 30,000 Rotarians, and thousands of volunteers spanning 10 states and five countries will join forces on Saturday, May 18, to tackle wide-ranging projects from collecting clothing for those experiencing homelessness and refurbishing long-neglected parks to feeding those with food insecurity.
This international initiative, which includes US projects in Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wyoming, along with Districts in Bermuda, Canada, the UK, and Brazil, eclipsing the Rotary Day of Service held in 2022 and 2023, with an expanded commitment from a coordinated network of Rotary Clubs and their members dedicated to improving the communities they serve.
Throughout the day, Rotarians in Enfield will undertake a clean-up and planting project at the Common Grounds Rotary Garden behind Enfield’s Senior Center (299 Elm Street). Together with nonprofit partners, Allied Community Services, Enfield Food Shelf, Town of Enfield, The Enfield Senior Center, UConn Master Gardeners, and UConn students, along with community support from Johnny’s Roadside Market Garden, Enfield Garden Club, Home Depot, and a corps of volunteers, the group will begin clearing the garden and working on planting for the season from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The garden has been in place since 2006 and was recently under volunteer Pat Bleakney's beautiful stewardship. In 2021, her co-gardener, Alison Saccoccio, passed away due to COVID-19. Pat continued to lead a small group of dedicated volunteers following her friend’s passing. This year, a supportive team of volunteers has been assembled, is taking the torch from Pat, and is committed to caring for the one-acre garden.
Produce from the garden is donated to the Enfield Food Shelf and CT State Asnuntuck’s Pantry.
The Rotary Day of Service isn’t just for Rotarians. Anyone wanting to “Get Behind the Wheel” and give back to their communities can visit RotaryDayOfService.org and click the ‘Register to Volunteer’ tab for information. Once registered, local clubs will contact volunteers and provide details. Volunteers for the Enfield Project can sign up via the website or by downloading the Civic Champs app and selecting times on May 18th or throughout the growing season under the Enfield Food Shelf projects portion of the app.
For more information on Day of Service projects, please visit http://www.rotarydayofservice.org.
About Rotary International
Rotary International is a global network of 46,000 clubs and 1.4 million friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and ourselves. For more than 110 years, Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on projects ranging from literacy and peace to water and health. We are always working to better our world and stay committed to the end.