Breakfast Rotary makes two donations

The Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast presented checks to two local not-for-profit agencies recently.

The Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale and I Can Read both received checks of $2,491.

"The youth of the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale are grateful for the support of Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast," said Tina Carpenter, chief executive officer of the BGCC.

"With their support, the magic of mentoring and relationship building continues through leadership and service; education and STEM; college and career; health and wellness; the arts and recreation."

I Can Read of Southern Illinois also received support from the Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast. I Can Read was established in 1998 by the Attucks High School graduating class of 1948. Volunteers at I Can Read work individually with children or in small groups to improve both reading and public speaking skills.

"For 20 years, I Can Read has been helping our children develop into better readers and better citizens," said Dr. Ella Lacey, assistant chairman of the board of I Can Read of Southern Illinois. "This support from the Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast will enable us to continue our mission, including our three-week summer reading camp this June."

The donated funds were generated from the Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race, which netted more than $5,000 in support of Rotary activities throughout the region.

"This Pumpkin Race continues to grow in Carbondale, and the proceeds will really make a difference for these two agencies," said Marcia Sinnott, who helps organize the race each year.

The Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast sponsors several service activities each year including a pumpkin race, bike ride, and yard sale that help raise funds for community organizations.