Each October is the annual fund drive for the Canton Rotary Charitable Fund. As Rotarians, we all subscribe to “Service Above Self”. The annual Charitable Fund drive is a way we can all follow the Service Above Self motto. The annual drive is critical to having the funds to support our traditional local projects such as: Rotary Scouts, Philomatheon Society, Sister Rotary Club in Dominican Republic, Junior Achievement, Stark County Library, Exchange Students (inbound and outbound), Project Warm and many more. We recently have not been able to grant funds to  all the worthy programs and charities that we would want to support.

I feel we are at a critical stage for our Rotary Club, a point where we need to show the community we are a valuable asset to the future growth of Canton and are an integral part of the change in Canton. One way to accomplish this is to have projects branded under Canton Rotary that are visible and recognized by the city and everyone who visits. For Canton Rotary to be able to make an impact that is permanent and branded in Canton, we need a healthy charitable fund.

I ask that each Rotarian donate to the Charitable Fund this year. While no donation is too small, we are asking that each Rotarian donate at least $100. If you cannot donate $100, please donate $25 or whatever amount you are able. Personally, I am doubling my donation from previous years, and ask everyone to do the same if possible.

We made a nice splash with our Canton Rotary Oktoberfest, let’s keep the momentum going with this year’s Canton Rotary Charitable Fund drive. Our goal this year is $15,000. Please join me in this journey so when we say we are “The Finest Rotary Club in the World” we know that each and every one of us is a part of making that claim true.

With sincere gratitude,
Craig A. Young
President-Elect