Rotaract of Bigfork launches with focus on service projects

Doing good does you good and with the launch of Rotaract of Bigfork, locals will have another avenue to reap the rewards of community service. Founding member and former Bigfork Rotary president, MonaRae Tuhy decided to get the club off the ground to provide more opportunities for working people to volunteer.

“There are many people who want to be Rotarians, but due to their jobs cannot meet at noon on Wednesdays every week and don’t necessarily want to always have a speaker, but want to do service things with an organization,” she explained.

Rotaract is an off-shoot of Rotary International, a community-based service organization with more than 35,000 clubs worldwide. Rotaract is different because there is less emphasis on fundraising and a greater focus on doing hands-on projects such as providing a new paint job to a senior center or improving local trails. Tuhy said Rotaract was originally founded as a young professionals service organization with an age limit of 30 years old, but noted that the age limit has since been eliminated.

All ages are welcome to join the Bigfork chapter for a $108 annual fee — $100 of which will go to the club’s budget to purchase supplies for projects. The Rotaract of Bigfork will meet at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at Harry Horn Picnic Shelter near Wayfarers State Park.

“To me, volunteerism is very important and it’s something I believe that more young people I wish could get on the bandwagon — It’s just something that connects you with the community,” Tuhy said. “If you are a civic- and or service-minded person, come join like minded people.”

For more information on joining or to suggest a service project, contact MonaRae Tuhy at (406) 253-8041. ■