SANDPOINT — In the past year, Sandpoint Rotary has given over $100,000 to local and international organizations.

"Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues," members said in a press release. "While things may have looked quiet – no CHAFE, no Gala - Sandpoint Rotary’s people of action have been busy over the past six months, making a difference in the lives of many in North Idaho and around the world."

This past fall, the club donated $8,800 to help a hospital in Zihuantanejo, Mexico, purchase a needed audio public address system and specialty furniture. In addition, the club contributed $500 to the Global Grant Water Project in Peru.

As COVID-19 spread throughout the world, many hospitals in Peru closed their doors, leaving people with the disease little hope. However, in the town of Penico, Rotary helped install a clean water system so that people would have clean drinking water and a way to wash their hands, helping them stay healthy and safe, the Sandpoint club said in a press release.

Passionate about literacy, club members sponsored the Guatemala Literacy Project, which seeks to bring life-changing educational programs to over 7,000 students and teachers in Guatemala.

Closer to home, Sandpoint Rotarians volunteered with Firewood Rescue — a non-profit that provides firewood to seniors, disabled and veterans in the community. All told, club members delivered nine cords of wood to those in need as well as $600 to aid in equipment repair, firewood delivery, and gas.

The club also donated $50,000 to the Lake Pend Oreille School District in support of its literacy programs. While the club's CHAFE 150 bike ride was canceled, sponsors still donated to literacy programs such as LPOSD's programs, club members said.

One Rotarian in particular was busy raising funds for Rotary Youth Services. Member Mel Dick completed his "Ride Across America,” pedaling over 5,000 miles from North Idaho to Key West, Florida — raising more than $13,000 in the process.

Other donations approved by the Sandpoint Rotary Board include:

• Pend Oreille Peddlers — $2,500; construction of a new trail that will extend from Dover up into the Pine Street Woods. The cost to build the initial 1.85-mile trail is expected to be approximately $13,000. However, additional donations by club members brought the total funds to $7,800

• LPOSD Resource Closet — $2,500; dedicated storage space at Farmin Stidwell Elementary used to provide basic necessities for students and families in need throughout the entire school district. Items include coats, boots, shoes, eyeglasses, and hygiene products. The $2,500 donation by the club and members was matched by Avenues of Hope, for a total gift to the Resource Closet of $5,000.

• Food For Our Children — $5,100; fully fund their mid-morning snack program for the entire year at all schools served.

• Village Green Book Trust — $5,800; provide free books for all students in all kindergarten classes in our school district. 

• Kaniksu Land Trust — $5,000; assist in the construction of the Rotary Welcome Center at Pine Street Woods. This was selected as the "President's Project" for 2020-21 and will be a major focus of the club to try and fully fund construction in 2021.

• Better Together Animal Alliance — $3,000; help fund the Animal Helpline, which prevents the unnecessary surrender of animals and supports pet owners with things like pet food or supplies, low cost or free spay/neuter services, or veterinary care for sick and injured pets.

• Sandpoint Area Seniors — $5,000; fund will go to the center's nutrition program which delivers 2,300 meals per month to Bonner County’s home-bound seniors.