Local families are benefiting after the final meeting of the Rotaract Club of North Bay-Nipissing.
The club, involving young professionals ages 18-40 who wanted to give back to the local community, held its final meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12.
It was formed in 2009, but declining membership resulted in the club’s remaining membership deciding its future in July.
“After much discussion, it was determined that we didn’t have the capacity to continue running the club, but we knew we wouldn’t just close quietly,” says Alex McDermid, Club Member. “We wanted to use our last funds to support our community, allowing us to sponsor Up The Creek Without a PADDLE, which we handed off to PADDLE this summer and be a table sponsor at Soup’s On. All remaining funds were used to support families during the holidays.”
In the past 14 years the club raised more than $315,000, ran events such as Poutine, Pints and Plaid and UP the Creek Without a PADDLE with members also volunteering at countless events and supporting international Rotary Projects.
“It is sad to see the club come to an end, but it is so important to end on a high,” says Valarie Edmunds, Club Member. “Our last event allowed us to support three families totaling 15 people.”
Officials say North Bay’s two Rotary Clubs are not affected by the closure of the Rotaract Club.
