The Rotary Club of Erina supports programs and projects that are local and international. Rotary has four avenues of service – Community, International, Youth and Vocational Service.
In our local community:
The Century Challenge Cycle Ride
The Century Challenge Cycle Ride has been a major project of the Rotary Club of Erina since 2000. It is held annually in April. In 2017 The Rotary Club of Gosford North joined with Erina to run the event. The major sponsor of the ride is Bendigo Bank Branches on the Central Coast.
There are three rides – 100km for experienced riders, 50km for less experienced but capable riders, 20km for families and riders keen to try some distance. There is also a Kids Challenge.
The event starts and finishes in the grounds of the Mt Penang Parklands and Event area.
For more information go to the Century Challenge web page and you can also follow us on Facebook.
Christmas Trees
Across the Central Coast on the weekends leading up to Christmas Rotary clubs get together to sell fresh Christmas trees. Located near the Marine Discover Centre at Terrigal, Erina Rotarians sell the trees to support local community-based projects, with the main beneficiary being Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Look out for dates on our website and Facebook page as Christmas draws closer.
International Service:
Cradle of Love
Cradle of Love Baby home is situated in Usa River Tanzania. It was founded in 2003 by an American woman Davina Church who saw a need for maternal health. In Tanzania there is a variety of health issues for mothers and babies that may lead to death during pregnancy or labour. If a mother dies and there is no wet nurse, the father or relatives cannot afford formula, a nursing infant would soon die from malnutrition and this is where Cradle of Love steps in to help. The babies are loved and cared for until they are weaned and can go home to a family member. The facility caters for up to 35 children, ranging in age from newborns to three. The home relies on private donations and is need for major repairs to the roof, general maintenance and painting inside and out. Obtaining baby formula is a constant problem financially as well as wages. A Rotary District grant was applied for and was successful
Erina Rotary Club first became involved with Cradle of Love in 2013 when we set up a RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) project, Sustainable Small Scale Farming, growing the wonder food, chia. Some profits from the growing of the chia went towards Cradle of Love. Monica Hart, Past President of the Rotary Club of Erina, is the project manager.
Donations towards Cradle of Love can be made through RAWCS and are tax-deductible. Click on this link – https://donations.rawcs.com.au/83-2013-14
Cradle of Love also has a Facebook page you can follow
Mahboba’s Promise
Mahboba’s Promise was founded by Mahboba Rawi, an Afghan refugee and now an Australian citizen, who has experienced first-hand the effects of a country torn apart by years of war and civil unrest. Since 2001, Mahboba’s Promise has established schools, shelters and health clinics across Afghanistan and provided numerous sponsorships to widows and orphans in need.
The Rotary Club of Erina supports the work of Mahboba through sponsorship of education for orphans and the purchase of animals for farming.
For more information on this charity – https://mahbobaspromise.org/
Youth Service:
Model United Nations Assembly
The Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) is a significant international Rotary youth program in which our club participates.
Senior high school students develop an awareness of the United Nations and the countries they represent at a simulated UN Assembly. The event provides an excellent forum for students to develop and practice their public speaking skills whilst debating on topical world issues. Erina Rotary club supports students from Erina High School to attend this event each year.
Top Blokes Foundation
Top Blokes aims to improve the health and mental well-being of young men, increasing resilience, empathy and respect for self and others, and in doing so reduce the rates of suicides, mental health issues, anti-social and risk-taking behaviours. The programs, starting at 10 years of age and going up to 24 years of age, are delivered over various time frames and sessions.
Erina Rotary has supported Top Blokes delivery of their programs to Erina High School students. More information about Top Blokes can be found at their website – http://www.topblokes.org.au