As the de-facto website administrator, I had a very busy summer and sadly wasn't able to keep up with posting our club activities. I'd like to take a moment here to get caught up as our club was busy this past summer and we'd like to share.
- On June 27th, we volunteered at the BikeMS Cape Cod Getaway
- We sponsored the Middleborough Public Library children's and teen summer reading program
- In July we sponsored and attended the Ted Williams Camp Alumni & Friends Jimmy Fund Benefit
- In August we were awarded a Rotary District 7950 Grant to build more Little Book Boxes
- Otto's Underground, the “unofficial” Rotary Club of Middleboro/Lakeville classic rock cover band, played several gigs around Lakeville and Middleboro
First, at the end of June our club volunteered at the BikeMS Cape Cod Getaway, a major fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. We spent part of the day at their water stop in front of Byrne Sand & Gravel in Middleboro greeting tired and parched riders on the 100-mile route that runs from Quincy to Provincetown over 2 days. We were stationed at roughly the 67th mile of that day’s trek and we provided refreshments, snacks and respite to roughly 120 riders. It was a beautiful day for it, and all the riders were in great spirits.
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We also sponsored the Middleborough Public Library summer children’s and teen summer reading program, themed “Plant a Seed, Read.” encouraging young readers to meet specific reading goals throughout the summer. The MPL reported another successful year with 304 kids and 93 teens reading a total of 9,085 hours (545,138 minutes), exceeding their community reading goal of 9,000 hours (540,000 minutes) and raising the full sponsorship amount ($500) for the charity, Nourish Our Neighbors. Our sponsorship not only encouraged young readers to read more, it also helped to fund a free farm share for a local family through Elliot Farm in Lakeville.
In July we sponsored and attended the Ted Williams Camp Alumni & Friends Jimmy Fund Benefit. Our sponsorship benefitted the Jimmy Fund/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and our very own Quack was on hand to answer questions about our Rotary Club. They had music bingo, a silent auction, and door prizes along with a delicious lunch.
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In August we were awarded a Rotary District 7950 Grant to add two more Little Book Boxes in Middleboro, currently planned for Oliver Mills Park and the new Little League ball field on Wood Street in Middleboro. Currently we have 9 Little Book Boxes throughout Middleboro and Lakeville, and they have all proven to be very popular. These are ‘Take a Book – Keep a Book’ locations you can find at the Old Colony YMCA in Middleboro, the North Congregational Church, LifeHouse Church, Pierce Playground (two of them!!), Field of Dreams, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Pratt Farm and on Captains Way in Lakeville. We're always looking for more books for kids, teens and adults, so if you have any to donate please send us a message!
And finally, our “unofficial” classic rock cover band - Otto's Underground - performed all around Lakeville and Middleboro throughout the summer at various outdoor concert venues. We hope you were able to enjoy one of their shows!
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