Gilford Rotary

Gilford, NH

GILFORD ROTARY CLUB SERVICE PROJECTS

With the funds derived from our club's activities, we contribute to the needs of the world through Rotary International and the needs of the community through a variety of projects. Some of our ongoing projects are:

• The Annual Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner.
  This dinner has been a growing success since it's initiation.  The club members participate in carving the turkey, serving the dinner with all the fixings, and socializing with our guests. We also arrange for Santa to visit and help our members spread the holiday spirit to our senior residents. Entertainment is provided by the youth of Gilford, their teachers and group leaders.
  
  
• International Student Exchange.
  The Gilford Rotary has funded both inbound and outbound High School Exchange Students. We have witnessed the personal growth and the development of international understanding as these students live and learn with there host families. To date we have been involved with exchanges to and from Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia.
  
  
• Cheryl Walsh Scholarship.
  In memory of Cheryl Walsh, a former student and athlete in the Gilford school system, the Gilford Rotary has provided an endowment of $ 10,000 for a Self-perpetuating Scholarship.
  
  
• Gilford Schools Fund To Assist Students In Need.
  The Gilford Rotary provides funding, which is administered by the Gilford School Principals, for use in emergency situations. This fund is meant to enable every student to participate in any school function, regardless of financial ability, and allows the "crisis" to be resolved in a timely fashion.
  
  
• Adopt A Highway Project.
  Since 1998 we have participated in the Adopt A Highway project. This consists of cleaning up a two mile stretch of Route 11A between Belknap Mountain and Orchard Hill Roads four times a year.
  
  
• Contributions.
  We contribute to many local funds and organizations such as:
  1. Saint Vincent DePaul Neighbors in Need
  2. Circle Program For Girls
  3. Camp Mayhew For Boys
  4. Drug And Alcohol Programs
  5. High School Interact Program
  6. Paul Harris Awards
  7. GMHS- Special Fund To Assist Students In Need
  8. 4 Way Test
  9. Local Ice Hockey Programs
  10. Outward Bound Program
  11. Cheryl Walsh Memorial Fund
  12. Lakes Region Scholarship
  13. Eagle Scouts
  14. Friends of Gilford Football
  15. Ozanam Place
  16. Lakes Region Child Care Services
  17. Camp Spaulding
  18. Senior Service Link
  19. Youth Leadership Program
  20. LWSA Sailing Program
  21. Senior Citizen Christmas Dinner
  
  We also contribute, when financially possible, to the community and individual needs on a one time basis.
  
  

• We helped in the construction of the "Fireside Room" at the Gilford Community Church.
  
  
• The Tannery Hill Bridge was constructed by the Gilford Rotary Club for the community of Gilford. The project was conceived by the club to provide access to the town municipal buildings from the village. The Gilford Rotarians and volunteers provided all the very labor intensive work constructing the bridge.It is the hope of the rotary club that this bridge becomes a well used and appreciated structure that will last for many years and be a part of the village history.
  
  
• In 1997, the Gilford Rotary budgeted $5,000 to help the youth of Gilford in constructing a skateboard park. This park will enable the youth to explore this dare devil sport, as many areas do not allow the use of skateboards on their property. Gilford Rotary has budgeted a total of $20,000 to the skating rink over the next five years. This will enable young people to skate year round as it is an indoor rink.
  
  
• In 1999, several members of Gilford Rotary built the Ray Wixson Memorial Garden Wall in back of the Gilford Community Church where Ray was minister for many years.
  
  
• In 2003, the club rebuilt a porch at Ozanam Place, a shelter for single parents.
  
  
• In 2005, the club completed the Glendale Shelter Project. This shelter will be used by Gilford's island summer residents that might need shelter from bad weather.