Ossipee Valley Rotary Named Chamber’s Business of the Year

On October 26, 2020, The Greater Ossipee Area Chamber of Commerce (GOACC) presented its 2020 “Business of the Year” award to the Rotary Club of Ossipee Valley.

Jayne Britton, Ossipee Rotary Club Past President (l), and Bonnie Gould, current Ossipee Rotary Club President (r), receive the award from Steven Hoyt, President of the Greater Ossipee Area Chamber of Commerce.

Under the pretense of guest-speaking at the Rotary Club’s weekly meeting, which was held at the River’s Edge Grill and Tavern, GOACC President Steven Hoyt surprised the Rotary Club with the award presentation.  Hoyt was joined by GOACC Board Members Ian Macdonald and Danielle Owen, and GOACC Manager/Event Coordinator Christine Taylor.

In presenting the award, Hoyt said, “In 2011, a group of Ossipee Valley folks got together and decided to bring back the local Rotary Club.  Residents from Ossipee, Tamworth, Madison, Effingham and Freedom met weekly to work on projects around the area.  In 2013, Rotary International, whose motto is “Service Above Self”, chartered the new Rotary Club of Ossipee Valley.  The goal of this club’s members is to provide help to the local, state, national, and international community in any way it can.”

Hoyt cited numerous examples of the Rotary’s work over the years, including:

  • Hosting a refreshment stop for the Tour de Cure (a bicycle trek across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont to raise money for diabetes.
  • Installing a wheelchair ramp for a local man who could not leave a Rehab Center until he had a ramp at home.
  • Painting a room at the Madison Library.
  • Providing dictionaries to 3rd grade students and atlases to 6th graders in area elementary schools.
  • Providing bicycle helmets to the Ossipee Recreation Center.
  • Providing funding to area libraries’ after-school programs, including one geared to teenagers.
  • Arranging for “Little Libraries” to be built and installed in area towns.
  • Hosting an annual recognition dinner and “Service Above Self” award event for a 6th grade student from each of the area elementary schools.
  • Contributing financial assistance to area food pantries.
  • Providing scholarships to local summer camps.
  • Providing work crews and financial assistance for local Habitat for Humanity projects.
  • Awarding annual scholarships for area students pursuing post-secondary education.
  • Supporting Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio.
  • Volunteering at the Chamber’s annual golf tournament, as well as similar efforts at the events of other non-profit Chamber members.