Leavenworth Rotary Fest Gala set for March 4

The Leavenworth Rotary Fest Gala is set for Sunday, March 4 at the Leavenworth Festhalle. Rotary Fest Gala Chairperson Mahala Murphy-Martin said this is their major fundraiser of the year.
“The proceeds we make from that go to projects locally and internationally,” Murphy-Martin said. “It’s a silent auction, live auction. Our guests can enjoy a fabulous meal provided by some of the many fine restauranteurs. There will be a no host bar. We will have a fantastic mystery which is part of the event.”
The mystery theater is a who-dun-it, just for fun, she said. There is also a big board where you can purchase tickets to a restaurant in the area. The fundraiser, Murphy-Martin said, is something Rotary has been doing for years.
“It’s something we’ve focused on to help raise awareness for Rotary,” she said. “In the past, we’ve done a ‘raise the paddle,’ whether it is for MEND. We have not selected a beneficiary.”
Rotary has raised money for a variety of things in the past including, MEND free clinic and new van, pump track, Interact club at CHS, local scholarships, Autumn Leaf Festival, plus many other national and international causes like money for libraries in Guatemala, bikes and wheelchairs to Africa and Guatemala and medical supplies to third world nations.
The Rotary six avenues of service are, promote world peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene, saving mothers and children, supporting education and growing local economies.
“Rotary has raised funds for water purification systems internationally, building schools. We host international students. We have raised funds for Enchantment Park,” Murphy-Martin said. “One of the projects Rotary has considered is having a covered area so parents can stay out of the sun and heat while their children are playing at Enchantment Park. Internationally, we had a science lab in Liberia named for the Leavenworth Rotary Club.”
The event typically raises around $40,000. Everyone is welcome, not just Rotary members.
“We welcome anyone to our very fun evening event. We appreciate the patronage so we can do our local and international projects,” she said.
Doors open on March 4 at 3 p.m. for registration. It begins at 4 p.m. You can get tickets online at leavenworthrotaryfest.com or from any Rotary member. For information call Brad Blackburn at 782-2600.
Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.