Stories

Midcoast Maine Has Got Talent - But you knew that. Now is your chance to be part of it.  On Saturday, May 9, the Rotary Club of Brunswick, Maine will present some of Maine's finest singing and dancing talent on the stage of the Orion Performing Arts Center in Topsham.  To be part of the action, download an application here:

http://bit.ly/1MVfw8Q

 or get one from one of our fine sponsors. 

Or keep your inner Elvis bottled up inside and just come out for an evening of wicked good entertainment.

Every Monday morning, over a thousand students in the greater-Brunswick area arrive at school hungry. They leave school on Friday afternoon and simply don’t have enough food at home to provide the nutrition they need on the weekend. It affects their ability to concentrate. It affects their ability to learn. It affects their ability to do all the things many others take for granted. It doesn’t have to be this way. For around $5 a week, we can supply a student and their family with enough food to get through the weekend so they don’t go hungry.

The Rotary Club presentation is in addition to a $1000 check presented previously. The money was raised primarily through a Pack a Back Pack 4ME event in October. 

As you can see from the photo the food drive Saturday February 23 was a HUGE success! Over a ton of food was collected for MidCoast Hunger Prevention Program as well as $310.00 in cash. Thank you to everyone who spent time at Shaw's on Saturday and to everyone who made a donation to help feed those who's plates are empty. We are Rotarians and we do make a difference!

The Rotary Club of Brunswick, Maine wishes to thank all who participated in the Second Annual Hometown Idol and helped to make it a successful event. We would especially like to thank our sponsors for the event, without whom it would not be possible. Thank you again and we'll see you next year.

The Brunswick Rotary Club recently installed a new swing-set at the Tedford Housing – Family Shelter on Federal Street in Brunswick. “There had been a swing set there but it had to be closed a few years ago as it was deteriorating and no longer safe,” says Don Kniseley, a member of the Rotary Club and former director of Tedford Housing. “Tedford did not have funds to replace the playground equipment at this time so we received a Rotary International Foundation grant and matched it with Club funds to purchase and install the swing set.”

Craig Phillips, current Tedford Housing executive director says that this is an important new addition to their work with homeless families and children. "When families are in such a stressful situation, having safe and appropriate outdoor play space really means a lot. We very much appreciate the Brunswick Rotary Clubs thoughtfulness and hard work."

Saturday, June 11 marked the dedication of the Rotary Club of Brunswick's plaque recognizing Holbrook Wharf as a unique and historical location in the MidCoast of Maine. The Brunswick Pride Committee of the Rotary Club have been identifying and recognizing those places that make our Midcoast area special and unique since 2000, and this is the 10th location to be so honored. In the photo, President Sue Chadima (left) endures the rain during the dedication ceremonies.

Ashley Dufresne of Brunswick High School and Matt Stasinowsky from Freeport High School both find time in busy high school and work schedules to volunteer in their communities.  Dufresne, a student in the Region Ten Marketing program, volunteers at school flu clinics, has chaperoned a field trip to Boston for students with special needs, and is currently organizing a school fund raiser for Make-A-Wish foundation.  "When I see that smile on a kid's face," she explained, "that makes it all worthwhile." 

Stasinowsky studies Firefighting at Region Ten.  He recently earned firefighter status as a volunteer with the Pownal Fire Department and also helps with fundraising with the Pownal Fire Company.  Sundays, he helps clean stalls and care for horses at a local horse rescue farm. Both students plan to go on to college, Dufresne in medicine and Stasinowsky in education.  Valerie Campbell, Brunswick Rotary's Student Recognition Coordinator, awarded Dufresne and Stasinowsky with plaques recognizing their commitment to community service.