Georgetown-Millsboro Rotary supports community

The Rotary Club of Georgetown-Millsboro had its annual luncheon Nov. 28 to thank sponsors of the Flags for Heroes Fund and to also introduce its newest grant recipients, which received a total of $17,500.

The Rotary raises funds through its flag program where residents, businesses and organizations sponsor flags in honor of a hero. Several businesses also support the program through funding. The fund is administered by the Delaware Community Foundation, which started in 1986 and has become one of the largest community foundations in the country. The Georgetown office is located on The Circle.

Heroes can be first responders, nurses, teachers or anyone whom a sponsor wants to recognize for their services.

Since 2014, the Rotary has placed Flags for Heroes in Georgetown and Millsboro, raising $148,000 to support community organizations and Rotary programs.

This year, 555 flags were sponsored and flew on The Circle, in front of Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown and in front of the post office, town hall and east entrance to the town in Millsboro. The flags are in place the week before and week after Memorial Day.

Rotary President Mike DiPaolo, who is also Delaware Community Foundation’s southern Delaware vice president, said all money raised by sales of the flags supports organizations that serve the Georgetown and Millsboro areas. “Rotary is always there to help,” he said.

He noted that 30 organizations applied for grants asking for $200,000. “There is definitely a need out there,” he said.

Grant recipients include Georgetown Public Library for additional computer classes; La Esperanza in Georgetown to fund an immigration program; Christian Storehouse in Millsboro to purchase additional food; Delaware Center for the Inland Bays for education programs and additional cleanups; Sussex County CHEER for its adult day care center; Philadelphia Arms in Ellendale to support Morgan's Place and other housing projects; School Nutrition AgriCulture Garden Foundation to support its school garden program; United Church to create a partnership with Shepherd's Office to provide meals and services to the homeless; Love INC to support its variety of services for the homeless, including Code Purple shelters in Sussex County.

Funds also go to college scholarships, Easterseals Camp Fairlee campers and scholarships to students to take part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program. Rotary's international project is the eradication of polio. It also provides volunteers to the Robin Hood Thrift Store in Georgetown as well as grants to people in need.

The luncheon took place at the Bernice Edwards Community Training and Resource Center at First State Community Action Agency in Georgetown, where the Rotary has Tuesday meetings at noon each week. For more information, go to gmrotary.org.