Rotary Club Announces Grants Program for Sparks Small Businesses

The Rotary Club of Sparks Centennial Sunrise’s biggest fundraiser of the year will be held at the Red Hawk Golf and Resort on September 19. This year's signature cause is a grant program for local small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The theme underscores the Club’s pledge to reinvigorate the local economy. In past years, the Club has used funds to support local youth, veterans, homeless, and parks – but 2020 is unprecedented and the Club is responding by helping our local economy thrive.

Grant applications are now available for businesses located in the City of Sparks with 10 or fewer employees. The grant awards are targeted to help with operating expenses as businesses such as salons, restaurants, and retail stores recover from several months of shutdown or severely curtailed business. Rotary President Kristopher Dahir comments, “Businesses have been generous to us over the years to support our fundraisers, and this is our opportunity to give back. We know that businesses create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and enhance well-being for the community.”

The grant recipients will be announced on October 31st. Over the next 4 weeks, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Sparks Centennial Sunrise will visit local businesses to promote the awards program and to purchase gift certificates, which will be included in raffle and silent auction prizes. “This provides local businesses with publicity at our event while they are in recovery mode,” says Dahir. “And for businesses that have thrived during this time, we also have sponsorship opportunities.”

The tournament, held at Red Hawk Golf and Resort in Sparks on September 19, will feature prizes, activities and fun at every hole. Golfers will also enjoy great food and beverages throughout the day with full attention to the health and safety of players. Registration is now open for sponsorships, golf, and raffle at www.SparksRotaryGolf.com

The Rotary Club of Sparks Centennial Sunrise is one of 34,000 clubs around the world. Rotary International's signature cause is the eradication of polio, and the end is in sight with just three countries in the world with endemic cases. This year local and international clubs have also provided assistance for COVID-19 needs worldwide. The Club has resumed its regular meetings for breakfast at the Red Hawk Event Center on Thursday mornings, and guests are welcome to drop in to learn more about this active club and service organization. More details on the Club are available on the website at https://sparkscentennialrotary.com/