Great Big Give Back — Rotary Club of Presque Isle

2023 is full of important milestones for our club. Not only are we celebrating a Century of Service in Presque Isle, but we are also marking 75 years of the Presque Isle Rotary Auction!

Throughout those seventy-four auctions, we have seen significant change: radio, television, online, and silent auction formats have all given way to our most recent signature fundraising event: the Great Big Give Back. Often these changes, while hard, were made out of necessity and our club was adeptly able to adapt and continue to host our largest fundraising event with success and pride. And our community has always responded in kind, stepping up to support our club and each of the organizations we have partnered with. Plans are underway for this year's GBGB event, with efforts to bring back the treasured traditions of Rotary past. We will continue with the raffle baskets as our primary fundraiser but will continue the auction tradition with an online auction. Where will the funds go? We have selected three local causes to be this year's proceed recipients and will also be continuing to support our club scholarship fund. But that's not all! We are thrilled to announce that we are bringing back the special project aspect too: the Presque Isle Rotary Club Amphitheatre! It all wraps up on our club's 100th birthday: April 25, 2023 - so save the date! We will need all hands on deck to make this year's GBGB one for the record books. Please join us in marking history during the 75th Presque Isle Rotary Auction.

-Jordyn Madore, 2023 Auction Chair

RAFFLE BASKETS

We're partnering with local businesses and community groups to create EIGHT impressive gift baskets, each with a value of about $1,000! Each basket will be unique, but will feature items like: gift cards, home decor, apparel, gift items, and more! You will be able to purchase raffle tickets for $10 each from any PI Rotarian or at Graves Shop’n Save ticket location site March 17- April 15, 2023 during the following times:

Friday: 4pm-7pm

Saturday: 9am-3pm

Sunday: 9am-3pm (excluding Easter Sunday)

View A full list of donated items here!

ONLINE AUCTION

In addition to the eight gorgeous raffle baskets, we are auctioning off an additional “big ticket” items as well as several themed baskets.

The online Auction will be active April 1st (and that’s no joke!) through April 22nd, 2023.

Take a sneak peak at some of our online auction items!

Garden themed basket

Date Night Basket

Neighborhood Books Gift Basket

Hiking Adventure Basket

Keurig Coffee Basket

Bronco Gift Basket with Oil Change

Fire Pit Set

Backyard Family Fun Basket

In the morning, I'm making WAFFLES breakfast basket

Just 4 Kids Basket

Taste of the Town

SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARDS

For the last several years, residents who have brought honor and recognition to our community have been selected for Presque Isle Rotary’s Community Service Hero awards, in three categories: Student, Adult, and Community Organization. This year, we have renamed our awards to reflect Rotary's motto "Service Above Self" and have added a category to recognize the outstanding work our local educators do in their classrooms with the Teaching the Future category. OUR APPLICATION IS CLOSED. CHECK BACK SOON FOR OUR WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS!

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

As always, proceeds raised during this year’s event will directly benefit your communities. In addition to funding the PI Rotary Club’s annual projects and events, Proceeds from the 2023 GBGB will support the Presque Isle Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, Mapleton Fire Department, Presque Isle Youth Hockey, and Easton Prestile Community Park. Take a look below to learn more about each organization and how they will utilize the funds.

Funds will be used to help improve the recreational opportunities Easton residents, as well as residents of neighboring communities providing an affordable way for low to moderate income families to spend time together by building a playground, canopy/pavilion with picnic area, and the addition of fishing, kayaking and a walking path.

Funds will be used to purchase a thermal imaging camera, which will enable firefighters to fully interpret a fire or accident scene and make more informed tactical decisions.

Funds will be used to purchase equipment kits for the 2023 season. This equipment would include the following items: helmet, chest protector, elbow pads, gloves, pants, and shin guards and would allow for continued growth of the program, while ensuring the safety of the players.

The Presque Isle Rotary Club Scholarship fund was created March 24, 1993 and has paid out more than $60,000 to high school seniors over the last 10 years. These scholarships are available to local students attending local colleges or any college in-state or out-of-state. For PIHS Scholarships, the review of scholarship applications includes: financial need, academics, and volunteerism to include a short essay connected to Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self”.