June 2, 2023

Spirit of America Foundation Award honors work of Sebago Lake Rotary Club

By Ed Pierce

The Sebago Lake Rotary Club has received the Maine 2022 Spirit of America Foundation Award from Maine Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, in recognition for its impact and service to the community.

The Spirit of America Foundation Award is presented annually to Maine individuals, organizations, and projects for commendable community service.

“Your commitment to volunteerism is an excellent example of the true Maine spirit of giving back to your community,” Bellows wrote in a letter to club officials about the award. “Thank you for your dedicated service and best wishes to you on this well-deserved recognition.”

Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Robin Mullins is a member of the Rotary and said the club is humbled and honored to receive the Spirit of America Foundation Award.

“As incoming President for the Sebago Lake Rotary Club, I am thrilled to see the club get recognized for the amazing work it does,” Mullins said. “Our past Rotary District Governor referred to us as ‘The Little Club that Could.’ Even though the club is small in numbers, it is huge in spirit, tenacity, and hard work. At a time when we are all stretched thin, the club also recognizes the importance of community partnerships, often teaming up with the local town officials and the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce in order to better serve the community. I would love to see more nonprofits follow in the Sebago Lake Rotary Club's footsteps and find ways to partner together for the common good.”

During the past year, Sebago Lake Rotary Club members worked on a variety of projects including a Lobster Dinner fundraiser, the Stuff the Bus Food Drive, Crutches for Africa, supporting literacy in schools, the Rotary Ice Fishing Derby, the Polar Dip, and sponsoring a garden at Raymond Beach.

The Spirit of America Foundation was founded in 1990 in Augusta to encourage and promote volunteerism and to bring well-deserved recognition to commendable community service initiatives and projects. The Spirit of America concept has caught on and has spread to include other states across New England and beyond.

In presenting the award for community service for 2022, Bellows praised the Sebago Lake Rotary Club's grants and initiatives on behalf of local charities and food pantries, its wide range of volunteer services, and its focus on local economic and recreational activities.

Rotary International brings together a global network of volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects millions of members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Its work impacts lives at both the local and the international levels.

The Rotary began in February 1905 by a Chicago attorney named Paul Harris. He intended to create a space for professionals with diverse backgrounds to gather, creating meaningful and lifelong friendships and exchanging ideas. Fast forward to today. With over 1.4 million members worldwide, it’s the biggest service organization in the world. Members are currently working on helping save mothers and children, supporting basic education for children, fighting diseases, promoting peace, providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. Rotary has no religious or national affiliation.

The Sebago Lake Rotary Club has served the local community for decades by raising money for charitable causes, distributing college and career technical education scholarships, and participating in service projects.

If you would like more information about the Sebago Lake Rotary Club, please attend their meetings which are held at 12:15 p.m. on the first three Thursdays of the month, at Pat’s Pizza in Windham, or visit Sebagolakerotary.org. <

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