Successful Fundraiser Will Provide $500 Grants to Local Business

The Rotary Club of Sparks Centennial Sunrise’s biggest fundraiser of the year was held at the Red Hawk Golf and Resort on September 19. With close to 100 golfers, along with generous sponsors and Club members’ contributions, the Club raised over $16,000 in funds. “This is in spite of a challenging year,” said Rotary Club President Kristopher Dahir. “We are so grateful to the community and this year we will be providing grants to Sparks small businesses in need.” 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 shutdowns. 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.”

Grant applications are available by contacting Ricci Rodriguez-Elkins at relkins@kw.com, one of the fundraiser organizers and Club members. “We’ve streamlined this application to one page and want to enable those small businesses that can use a boost in their operating expenses after months of shutdown and slowdown in their businesses.”

“We were fortunate to have beautiful weather and generous participants on September 19,” said Dahir. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to keep the participants safe with great support from the Red Hawk Golf and Resort, with special accommodations like box lunches and breakfast.”

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/