The bird are chirping, the squirrels are chasing, buds are forming on the trees, crocuses are blooming…it must be spring.
And if it’s springtime, it must be time for the Rotary Club of Acton’s Taste of Spring Gala Dinner and Auction. This very special fundraising event has been online since 2020, and club members hope the community is just as thrilled as they are, to welcome it back.
“This event has always been a signature event in the Acton community,” said club President Rob Vandervecht. “We feel fortunate to be able to return to our in-person events this year. After successfully re-launching our Wine, Cheese & Beer event in November, we are super-excited to bring back this pivotal event,” he added.
The centerpiece of the Gala is a themed, six-course, tapas-style dinner put on by Chef Dale from Everton Academy of Culinary Arts. The food is incredible and always has great reviews, according to Vandervecht. “I am sure everyone is looking forward to seeing what Chef can create this year,” he said.
The Rotary Club of Acton is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023.
Between this milestone and the return of exciting in-person events, the club has a lot to celebrate, and it hopes the community wants to celebrate right alongside.
“We really hope that the community gets behind us in this event,” said Vandervecht. “We are getting wonderful support from local merchants and businesses and gathering great auction items, so there will be many tempting items to take home. But it is mainly a community event where everyone can come together and have a good time and show support for our great community.”
Proceeds from this wonderful evening will be split 50/50 between the Rotary Club of Acton’s community projects and the Townsend Smith Foundation, which is building the first hospice in North Halton. This project has been a key focus for the local Rotary club for the last several years, according to Vandervecht.
Community projects for the Rotary Club of Acton include supporting local youth in a variety of initiatives, supporting the local food bank, the Christmas hamper program, the local trunk sale, planting trees, doing local clean ups, and organizing the citizen of the year process. A past project raised $50,000 for renovations to the Acton Town Hall Centre, which is where the Gala and other key Rotary events are held.
As well, the club is part of a global organization of 1.2 million members dedicated to amongst other things, the eradication of Polio. As part of this membership, the club helps fund international projects for things like micro financing, reproductive health education, building schools and providing access to clean water and sanitation.
The Rotary Club of Acton Taste of Spring Gala Tapas Dinner and Auction is being held on Friday May 5 at the Acton Town Hall. Doors will open at 5:30 and dinner is at 7:00 p.m. There will be a cash bar.
Tickets for this special event to benefit the community are just $75 and can be purchased here.
“Our club has been actively contributing to our community for 75 years,” said Vandervecht. “We are really hoping to sell this out this dinner and welcome our community back.”