SKANEATELES — There is a silver lining in the news that the Skaneateles Rotary Club has canceled its festive annual holiday fundraiser out of caution for the second year in a row.
The silver lining is that a virtual fundraiser seems to allow more participation when it comes to helping those in need in the community, said Rotary Club President Terry McCormick.
That was clearly the case last year, when virtual donations soared past totals raised at in-person events in previous years, said Rotarian Lee Bennett, the unofficial chair of the holiday food basket virtual fundraiser.
The funds go straight to area food pantries and to the Skaneateles Outreach office for holiday food baskets, gift certificates and gifts for families in need, Bennett said.
Last year’s virtual fundraiser allowed a larger and broader number of people to help their fellow community members who are in need, said Rotarian Ward Vuillemot. Donations came from all parts of the community – Rotarians and non-Rotarians, many who had never attended the in-person fundraiser.
“When our club asked for help last year, the community responded with generous kindness,” Bennett said.
The Rotary Club kicked off this year’s Holiday Basket fundraiser with hope and gratitude during a virtual meeting where the key speaker was Jacque McConnaghy, coordinator of the Outreach office in the Town of Skaneateles.
McConnaghy thanked Rotarians for leading the much-needed community giving event that helps so many local families during the holidays. In addition, she said, the funds that are raised in December help the Outreach office make a difference in local lives all year long.
She shared heartwarming stories of how a small amount of money can make a large impact in the life of a child without snow pants, or a senior citizen unable to pay a big heating bill.
When a teacher notices a child without boots, or when the high school counseling office knows a student can’t afford to pay for an Advanced Placement (AP) exam, it is to McConnaghy and the “Helping Hands” portion of the Outreach office they turn.
AP exams are offered by the College Board and are taken each May by students who have taken Advanced Placement (AP) courses during the school year. It costs nearly $100 per test. Being able to take the test or tests can affect a student’s college credit, and might impact what college the student gets into, said McConnaghy. The good from such an investment (in a student) can’t be overstated, she said.
The Rotary Board of Directors decided to be extra cautious once more, as the event packs more than 200 people inside together for a turkey dinner.
Bennett praised the community for supporting the annual fundraiser that became virtual for the first time in 2020. Similarly, community support of the virtual pancake breakfast has been phenomenal, he said.
“Our virtual fundraisers have far exceeded our goals. People have been beyond generous. Now we have an opportunity to continue our club’s long tradition of helping our community by donating to this year’s Holiday Basket Campaign,” he said.
Rotarians will ask family and friends, and friends will ask other friends, and in that way, the good cheer will continue to spread.
“We have all missed the fellowship of working together for a common goal as we have done with the pancake breakfast and our holiday dinner. The goodwill and fellowship we generated is a priceless part of the fabric of Skaneateles. I believe some day we will once again be working side-by-side greeting and serving our fellow neighbors,” Bennett said.
Donate on line by going to skaneatelesrotary.com/donate (skaneatelesrotary.com/donate) or write checks to Skaneateles Rotary Foundation, and mail to: Skaneateles Rotary Club, P.O. Box 316, Skaneateles, NY 13152.
Submitted by Lori Ruhlman
