Community Service responds to the needs of the local community and is the avenue of service through which Rotarians fulfill their responsibility to find ways to improve the quality of life for those in their communities and to serve the public interest.  It provides Rotarians with the opportunity to exemplify the Rotary motto: Service Above Self.

The Community Service committee is working diligently this holiday season to collect toys for needy children in the Newmarket area.  We are working with the Lamprey Healthcare on their program called Operation Santa.  The collect toys from businesses and agencies in order to bring joy to children in Newmarket who are less fortunate.  The Durham Great Bay Rotary is happy to support them.  We are also going to be providing hundreds of turkeys to the four towns in which we serve, Durham, Lee, Newmarket and Madbury. 

Rotary Club of Durham-Great Bay

At a recent Club breakfast, President John Belcher presents a check for $750 to

Elliott Moore (L) and Roni Pekins (C) of Oyster River Womenade

For the third consecutive year, the Durham-Great Bay Rotary Club is a proud to be a key sponsor of Oyster River Womenade's primary fundraiser, QuackFest. On May 16, a thousand rubber ducks will be dumped into the Oyster River for a "race" to the finish line. QuackFest has become a wonderful annual community celebration at the Durham Landing that includes music, cookout, games and of course the "race". QuackFest raises money for distribution to families in need without the red tape and bureaucracy associated with federal and state aid reserved for those who require long-term assistance. 100% of all money raised is distributed to area families. Womenade has this year helped reduce family medical expenses, transportation costs and oil bills among many other things. As Elliott Moore, QuackFest Coordinator for Womenade, says, "We work hard to lift up members of our community who need help staying on their feet during these difficult economic times. When we come together as a community to raise each other up, we all benefit."