Final Donation to Stratford Rotary Club Their Original Seed Funder
After more than 30 years of dedicated service, the Stratford Community Fund (SCF) is closing its doors. In recognition of its impact, the fund has donated over $40,000 to the Stratford Rotary Club, presented by Bill O’Brien, President of the SCF.
“It is unfortunate that we didn’t have enough volunteers to continue administering the fund,” said Bill O’Brien, President of the Stratford Community Fund. “However, the funds have returned home to the Stratford Rotary Club, where the seed money originally came from. We’re confident they will continue the mission of serving our community.”
“For decades, the Stratford Community Fund has been a pillar of support for our town,” added Harold Watson, President of the Stratford Rotary Club. “This generous donation will allow us to continue serving the community in meaningful ways, carrying forward the spirit of giving that SCF has embodied.”
For over five decades, the Stratford Community Fund has remained committed to its core values of engagement, mobilization, and community support. Its mission has always been to provide philanthropic assistance to local organizations and individuals dedicated to improving Stratford, and its neighboring towns.
Throughout its history, the SCF has contributed to the community in several meaningful ways:
- Grant Funding: Supporting various projects and causes in Stratford and surrounding towns.
- Scholarships: Awarding scholarships to one student from each of the town’s high schools, Bunnell and Stratford.
- Lighthouse Awards: Honoring outstanding individuals, businesses, and organizations that have consistently gone above and beyond to make Stratford a better place.
Though the fund is closing, its legacy will live on through the many lives it has touched.
Left to right: Don Putrimas, Stratford Rotary Foundation, Bill O’Brien, President of the Stratford Community Fund, Jeff Krause, Past Rotary District Governor, and Harold D. Watson, President Stratford Rotary Club
The Stratford Rotary club works on a variety of projects to improve the world, including disease prevention, education, and economic development. Rotary clubs are part of Rotary International, a global service organization that brings together business and professional leaders.
What Rotary clubs do
Promote peace: Rotary clubs encourage conversations to promote understanding and train leaders to prevent conflict.
Fight disease: Rotary clubs educate communities on how to stop the spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS, polio, and malaria.
Provide clean water: Rotary clubs support local solutions to provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Support education: Rotary clubs support education to help people become literate.
Grow local economies: Rotary clubs work on projects to create opportunities for work and improve economic development.
Protect the environment: Rotary clubs work on projects to address environmental issues.
Rotary clubs are open to people of all races, colors, creeds, religions, genders, and political preferences. Their core values include service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.
