While many of you may be aware of the Suffield Rotary, you may not know that it is part of Rotary International, which has over 46,000 clubs and 1.4 million members worldwide, all operating with the goal of putting “service above self”, the organization’s motto and mission. This year the Rotary International, in addition to its many international projects has encouraged each club, throughout the world, to hold a “Day of Service” where it dedicates a day to improving their respective communities. The Suffield Rotary was pleased to join this worldwide effort, and established April 9 for its Day of Service. The goal: cleaning up and improving Sunrise Park.
The men and women of the Suffield Rotary will don work clothes and welcome the participation of many other local groups to assist. These include students from the Interact Club (the high school version of Rotary), the Knights of Columbus, the Girl Scouts, the Cub Scouts, the Suffield Fire Department, town employees, the Suffield Foundation for Excellent Schools, and individuals who have signed up to help.
Teams will be dedicated to various tasks. On the main trail fallen debris and branches will be removed and a trail blazed with stencil and paints. On the Fitness Trail large debris will be removed, branches and bushes trimmed, fitness spots will be recreated, and mulch will be spread. Similar work will occur on the Braille Trail, where the trail posts will also be repaired. At the covered picnic area near the bridge, the lower section will be painted to cover up unsightly graffiti. Broken glass will be removed at the maintenance building, where frames will be scraped, repainted and glass panels remounted. The changing hut will be repaired and repainted while at the chapel concrete piers will be removed and replaced with new piers, and the benches will be replaced. And of course, food will be cooked and served courtesy of the Suffield Rotary for all these hard-working volunteers.
Hopefully the weather cooperates, but the cooperation of all these groups and individual volunteers at this Day of Service will undoubtedly improve the park for all users. If you have any questions about the Day of Service or the Suffield Rotary go to www.facebook.com/SuffieldRotary/.