At our Club Assembly Val Gerhart gave us PowerPoint programs on this year's Bike Benzie Tour, as well an update on our Education Programs.
This year we returned to the sort of biking tour that Tim Krause had in mind when he started the event fifteen years ago. Not only was this year's event fun for participants, it was also a big success financially. We received $16,000 from sponsors--money that will go directly into the Sunrise Rotary Foundation. The 238 riders generated revenues of $19,271.50, as opposed to $12,220.20 in operating expenses.
The greatest number of riders chose the 62-mile route, and the average age of the riders was 57.4. Most participants were from Michigan, but we also had riders from a handful of other states.
Our event was well publicized by Crystal Mountain, and everyone is anxious to get going on the marketing for next year's tour on June 1st. Val recognized and thanked all who worked on this year's event.
Val also provided as update on the educational efforts we support. Our Club has worked with BACN for many years, and a Rotary Believes seed grant has been proposed to establish an educational fund for adult learners. This would be a $3,000 Regional Rotary matching grant from GTRCF and Rotary Charities. The first year funding would be distributed for up to five neighbors, with amounts ranging from $500 - $1,000.
The BACN Educational Fund will be for:
- Adults with no degree or certificate
- Pursuing training in a high-demand career
- Covering tuition, required supplies/equipment, childcare and transportation
- And mentoring/social support to complete a certificate or degree.
BACN and the Rotary Clubs will collaborate to identify additional financial resources in the community to build sustainability and eventually an endowment fund.
Sunrise Rotary also will be working with District 6290 on HANWASH, the Haiti National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Initiative. This is an effort to bring the 32,000 residents of Terre Nueve, Haiti water and sanitation that is safe, sustainable and affordable.
The Club will continue to work on school programs, including:
- Service Above Self Day for 7th graders on September 14th
- College Trip to CMU/Ferris for 11th graders on October 10th
- Career Expo for 12th graders at Crystal Mountain on October 31st.
Finally, we will continue to help PoWeR! Book Bags with the stuffing of literacy bags, the packing and delivery of classroom boxes and the reading of books to 1st graders.