Carlisle Rotary Clubs present a check for $28,448 to support Bethany House. The funds were raised during Carlisle Rotary’s annual holiday auction. Pictured from left to right are Marisol Barber, Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club President, Amy Moreno, Bethany House Executive Director, Deborah Sweaney, Carlisle Rotary Club President and Marv Salsman, Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club Auction Chair.
Each year Carlisle’s two Rotary Club Presidents identify one project or organization to be the beneficiary of their holiday auction. Selected this year was Bethany House of Cumberland County, Inc., a Carlisle-based nonprofit providing transitional housing and supportive services to young ladies aging out of foster care or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
Given the amount that Rotary has raised during previous auctions, a goal of $25,000 was set to be applied toward Bethany House’s planned barrier-free, onsite mental health program, a vital service for young women aging out of foster care. At Bethany House, early attention to mental health helps clients achieve and maintain independence sooner. By bringing licensed, trauma-informed counseling directly onsite, Bethany House can remove barriers such as transportation, cost, stigma, and long waitlists—ensuring residents and clients can begin healing immediately and continue progressing confidently toward their goals.
Carlisle Rotarians have conducted an holiday auction for the last 19 years raising over $250,000 benefiting both international projects in Kenya and Togo as well as local Carlisle organizations Safe Harbour, Community C.A.R.E.S, Domestic Violence Services, Cumberland County Historical Society, The Arc of Cumberland and Perry Counties (CPARC), Success By 6, Tomorrow’s Neighbors and now Bethany House. Rotary’s impact has been life changing for many both home and abroad and has only been possible thanks to the generosity of Carlisle Rotarians and local businesses supporting the auction with sponsorships and donated items to be auctioned.
Finally, as has become a tradition at Rotary’s holiday dinner, each club recognized the recipient of their annual distinguished Rotarian award. The Sunrise Club recognized Jeff Cohick as the “Buzz Coho Distinguished Service Citation” recipient. The Carlisle Rotary Club recognized Becky Morgenthau as their “Four-Way Test Award” recipient. Additionally, Cindy Gleim-Pool, Rotary’s long time Holiday Dinner and Auction Committee Chairperson received a Paul Harris Fellow award from each club for her outstanding service in coordinating all aspects of this annual event.