The Gloucester Rotary Club presented just over $11,000 worth of donations to several local groups last Thursday morning at Riverside Rehabilitation Center at Sanders.
Benefactors include Gloucester County Public Schools, Gloucester High School Care Closet, Helping the Homeless Ministries, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, the Samaritan Group, the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, and Canine Companions.
Each benefactor was given the chance to make a statement about their organization.
GCPS Deputy Superintendent Bryan Hartley said the division will spend its granted funds on hearing screening equipment. There are currently only eight pieces of this specialized equipment for the whole division.
“In a school division, everything’s important,” said Hartley.
“We are in constant need,” said Sally Hartley, GHS special education teacher who leads the GHS Care Closet, in her remarks. “And that need is growing.” The Care Closet helps take care of students’ food, clothing and school supply needs.
Helping the Homeless CEO and founder Pastor Wendy Roundy echoed her remarks. “There are a lot of hungry people,” said Roundy. She said that hunger is “a big, increasing need.”
Hal Smith, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, said the funds his group received will go directly to helping fund the Boys and Girls Club’s summer programming.
“There is no shortage of people in need,” said Lester Sterling of the Samaritan Group. The Samaritans help people in temporary financial need.
Dick Crowder, president emeritus for the GMHS Board of Directors, accepted the Rotary’s donation on behalf of the animal shelter.
“We find homes for about 2,000 animals each year,” said Crowder.
Jeanie Hockaday accepted the donation on behalf of Canine Companions, which specializes in training service dogs.
“It’s amazing what they can do for people,” said Hockaday about these highly-trained animals.
In addition to the donations presented last week, the Gloucester Rotary Club gave out $6,000 in scholarships last month. Earlier this year, the club disbursed $20,000 to other nonprofits, according to Gloucester Rotary Club president Nancy Dykeman.