|
Rotary Club: Homer-Kachemak Bay Project Title: Memorial benches 1. Describe the project. What was done, when and where did project activities take place? We are placing benches in strategic locations around Homer in memory of a beloved Rotarian, Gary Thomas, who died in an accident in January 2020. The locations were picked for accessibility, so as many people as possible can enjoy the beauty of Homer and Kachemak Bay. The main bench in honor of Gary Thomas is located at WKFL Park, in the center of Homer and near the Homer Volunteer Fire Department, which is significant because Gary was the longest serving volunteer for the department at the time of his death. Other benches will go at Ben Walters Park on Beluga Lake, which is another of our projects; near the shelter at the Fishing Hole, another club project; and on the Spit Trail, where there are few places to sit. Another bench will be at Bishops Beach — this will be a memorial bench for all active members of the Rotary Club of Homer-Kachemak Bay when they pass. We selected bench sites in the fall, working with Matt Steffy of the city of Homer. Benches were ordered in winter and have been delivered. We will put them in this summer under the guidance of the city. 2. How many people benefited from this project? The entire community as well as visitors. 3. Who were the beneficiaries, how were they impacted by this project, and what humanitarian need was met? It's impossible to count the beneficiaries because anyone who frequents the places where the benches are located will be able to enjoy them. They are in high-profile locations with views, so people can stop and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Mental and physical health needs are the humanitarian needs that are being met because the benches encourage everyone — despite their physical abilities — to enjoy time in the outdoors. The hope is they will also stimulate conversation in a beautiful environment — leading to peaceful encounters with people who don't always agree. 4. How many Rotarians participated in the project? About a dozen 5. What did they do? Please give at least two examples, not including financial support provided to the project. Tom Early, Dave Brann, Bill Hague and Lori Evans walked potential locations with city staff to determine the best site for the benches. Denice Clyne and Kathy Hill worked to establish guidelines for who would be eligible to have a nameplate on the Bishops Beach Memorial Bench for all Rotarians. Dave Brann and Tom Early built the bench that will be on the floats at Beluga Lake at Ben Walters Park. All club members will be able to participate in the actual work of placing the benches and maintaining their sites. The weather still has not allowed us to place the benches as of mid-May. 6. If a cooperating organization was involved, what was its role? The city of Homer is our partner in this project — helping us determine the best sites for benches and also providing help when we install/maintain them. The family of Gary Thomas also has been helpful. 7. Income
8. Expenditures
District must retain receipts of all expenditures for at least five years. Please scan and upload to the project's "Documents" tab all invoices (be sure they are marked "paid"), receipts and/or copies of checks for the full amount of the project budget. By signing this report, I confirm that to the best of my knowledge these District Grant funds were spent only for eligible items in accordance with Trustee-approved guidelines, and that all of the information contained herein is true and accurate. I also understand that all photographs submitted in connection with this report will become the property of RI and will not be returned. I warrant that I own all rights in the photographs, including copyright, and herby grant RI and TRF a royalty free irrevocable license to use the photographs now or at any time in the future, throughout the world in any manner it so chooses and in any medium now known or later developed. This includes the right to modify the photograph(s) as necessary in RI's sole discretion. This also includes, without limitation, use on or in the web site, magazines, brochures, pamphlets, exhibitions and any other promotional materials of RI and TRF.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||