Rotary Supports Innovation Lab

Rotarians gather to witness check presentation: (l to r) Aaron Hagan, George Klauber, Carol Rothenberg, Therese Johnson, Jessica Putnam, Carol Madsen, Julie Forbes, Dave Barker and Rick Whelchel

Jessica Putnam Rotary President (R.) Presents Susan Jennings Ex. Dir of 4-H Foundation with Check for $10,000.

The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club handed over its $10,000 match for local donations to the Magic Lantern Innovation Lab project. On Tuesday, October 12, President Jessica Putnam from the local Rotary Club handed a check for $10,000 to Susan Jennings, Executive Director, of the 4-H Foundation at the University of Maine, the organization behind the Magic Lantern Innovation Lab & Learning Center. This represented a pledged match for the first $10,000 raised from local citizens, nonprofits and small businesses in the lakes region.

Susan Jennings thanked the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club for their steadfast effort which exemplified community support from the early days of the project. “Everyone will appreciate your work. Young people growing up in rural Maine don't have the same opportunities and resources as those in urban areas,” said Jennings. “4-H has been engaged in experiential education pilot school programs for over 12 years and has successfully increased test scores, raised aspirations, increased attendance and engaged students in career-based learning. We look forward to continuing to partner with this community and the region to offer UMaine programming that can make a difference in the lives of children, youth and their families.”

Jessica Putnam remarked, “What an opportunity for our community and so in line with Rotary’s goals of supporting education for young people. Our Magic Lantern project team, in particular Dave Barker, was persistent in raising the money from within towns in the region as a sign of community support. He knew the support would be there. We are proud to be part of such an important project which will enhance the quality of life in the lakes region.”

For more information or to contribute to the project, contact the Maine 4-H Foundation, 207.615.7300; susan.jennings@maine.edu. A video about the initiative is online, as is a donation link.

For more information about Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club, check out the website at https://lakeregionrotary.com or its Facebook Page. For specific questions, contact Jessica Putnam at LakeRegionRotary@gmail.com.