Rotarians take to city cemeteries to do some community cleanups

Rochester Rotarians take a break during the cleanup to pose for a group picture. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The Rotary Club of Rochester recently worked with the Trustee's of the Trust Fund to hold a cleanup day at the Wingate, Elijah Witman, and Gonic cemeteries.

According to Rotary Club President Jackie Fitzpatrick, the club has been focusing some of its efforts on environmental projects.

"We recently had a group of Rotarian volunteers participate in the cleanup of three cemeteries in Rochester," said Fitzpatrick. "The group, led by club treasurer Blaine Cox, donned their work clothes and gloves, gathered tools, and set off on a beautiful day to clean up.

Cox, also Rochester's City Manager, said the Trustee's of the Trust Fund had approached him regarding cemetery maintenance funds that had been accumulating for several years. Cox assembled a group of Rotarians and volunteers to organize the cemetery cleanups, securing the funds for Rotary's various charitable efforts.

"We ended up raising about $800 for the Rotary Club," said Cox. "This is a great collaboration because Rotary was looking for an environmental project and the Trustee's needed the help cleaning up some of the cemeteries."

Fitzpatrick explains that the Rotary Club is always working to encourage volunteers to come together for the betterment of the community. She emphasized how important it is to be civically engaged and work together to achieve common goals.

"The cleanup turned into an invigorating and satisfying project!" Fitzpatrick said. "Rotarians at work making our community a better place for all."

Visit www.rochesternhrotary.org to learn more about the Rotary Club of Rochester.