While staying safe and healthy, Dracut Rotary is continuing to move forward with projects for the community. A weekly ZOOM meeting is keeping members connected and sharing ideas on how to serve others. The club is addressing club business, preparing for the installation of a new slate of officers, and looking forward to projects that will be beneficial to those in need.

The Club sadly acknowledged the death of charter member, Al Daigle, Sr. Al was a devoted Rotarian who proudly boasted about “perfect attendance” for 50 years. Fellow members were all moved by his passing. Their meetings are not the same without his wise input.  

A slate of officers has been presented for 2020-2021. It will be voted on at the next “virtual meeting.” The office of President Elect is still open and nominations will be gladly accepted. 

The cancellation of RYLA 2020 was upsetting for the Club and the seven sophomores who were planning on attending RYLA at Fitchburg State this June. DRC is looking to June of 2021 with the hope that District 7910 will again be able to hold RYLA.  They will keep this year’s selected students posted with options for re-application.

Members discussed several ongoing causes for groups that the Club supports, including The Bridge Club Addiction Center and Catie’s Closet. Also in discussion is how DRC can aid those who need food assistance. Donations were made to the Dracut Food Pantry, the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul and End 68 Hours of Hunger. 

Additionally, the Club is considering ways to support the restaurants who participate in Dining Around Dracut and our seniors and veterans. We are reaching out to the Dracut Council on Aging and the Dracut Veterans’ Agent to see who might benefit from a gift card from one of these local restaurants. 

DRC is also partnering with the Arbors of Dracut on a group activity project that should brighten the spirits of their senior residents during this difficult time. The Arbors is holding a competition to see “what would you do for a Klondike bar?” The residents will act out what they would do and the staff will video their responses. Family and friends will be able to see the video on their website. It should be a fun event for all, and DRC is supplying the Klondike bars.

The Club is also looking into what other projects they might be able to sponsor, or assist in, for the senior residents at D’Youville Senior Care, and other senior care facilities that are facing such heightened trauma during this frightening time. The discussion is on-going.

Dracut Rotary is “Open for Business” during COVID-19. They are keeping members connected, even members who are not in Dracut at the present time. DRC will continue to consider the needs of their greater Lowell neighbors and do what they can for those in need in the community and the world.