The Rotary Club of Ridgefield’s 20th Annual Progressive Dinner last Saturday, March 28, raised $5,000 for the International Rotary Foundation (IRF). The dinner had a record turnout despite the unexpected spring snow. Funds donated to the IRF are raised almost exclusively among fellow Ridgefield Rotarians (rather than through public events such as the Taste of Ridgefield or the Ridgefield Gone Country BBQ Festival which raise funds earmarked primarily for local scholarships and local charitable causes).
IRF, as the charitable arm of Rotary, taps into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into Rotary priorities, such as such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact. Despite (or because of) its international focus, a portion of IRF funds come back to help meet local needs through local rotary clubs.