Howland Rotary honors groups
Organizationsget donations
March 20, 2016
By RAYMOND L. SMITH , Tribune Chronicle
HOWLAND - Physical size does not matter when trying to affect change in the community, according to Chuck Mackey of Bolindale Christian Church.
Mackey said starting a food bank was not something he planned to do nearly five years ago, but the church's leadership thought it was their responsibility to provide service to others. Bolindale Christian Church has 60 members and the congregation was founded nearly 90 years ago.
"Any church that does not reach outside of its walls eventually will whither away and die," Mackey said. "If we are not reaching out to serve the needs of the community, then what is the point. We want to be like Jesus Christ in our actions and beliefs. He was a servant."
Mackey and his daughter, Julie Marinkovich, representing the Bolindale Food Pantry, accepted a certificate and a $100 donation from the Rotary Club of Howland during club's 39th annual spaghetti dinner on Saturday. The awards ceremony and fundraiser recognizes the contributions of individuals and groups.
"We serve on average 60 to 70 families, twice a month," Mackey said. "The families in the age range between 18 years old to 59 years old changes a little from one month to the next. However, when we provide food for people who are 60 years old and older, they generally come back month after month."
Mackey said the older recipients usually are on fixed incomes and that income is affected by the cost of medicines they take to maintain their health.
Also recognized at Saturday's dinner were Howland Interact students, the Howland Community Scholarship program, the Howland Community Church Food Pantry and the Howland High School Choir, as well as the Howland Police and Fire departments.
Tom Hitmar of Howland Community Church agreed with Mackey that there is a significant need in the community for emergency food services.
Both church food pantries have received assistance from the Howland trustees, the Howland High School Stuff the Bus program and Second Harvest Food Bank.
The spaghetti dinner and awards ceremony is Howland Rotary's single largest fundraiser. It raises, on average, $2,500 a year. The money is used to provide for a variety of programs, which includes the American Red Cross, Trumbull Mobile Meals and other service organizations.
Howland Rotary provides approximately $6,500 worth of donations to selected organizations annually.
"We often give to the same organizations every year, so we know how our donations are helping the agencies," Dick Lytle, Howland Rotary's treasurer said.
The Howland High School Choir was recognized for the work its members do both inside the district and in the community.
"These kids love to sing, but they love to use their gifts to help others," Anjenette DePoy, director of the Howland High School Choir said.
She said the student choir members gain as much as they give.
"They gain self-confidence, leadership and, especially for those who participate for three to four years, a feeling of family," DePoy said.
DePoy has led the choir for more than 15 years.
rsmith@tribtoday.com
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