Val Lemon wins Covid art piece raffled by Rotary; fundraising appeal continues

Charles+Fazzino+work+that+was+raffled+in+a+benefit.

Charles Fazzino work that was raffled in a benefit.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Rotary Club of the Pelhams.

Rotary Club of the Pelhams announced that Val Lemon was the winner of the Charles Fazzino art piece on the COVID-19 pandemic and is continuing the appeal for funds supporting its Gift of Life program and PMHS scholarship.

The Rotary Club’s fall 2020 Tastings event usually held in October will be cancelled due to the uncertainties of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the club is seeking donations for the Gift of Life heart surgeries funded by the event and for its 2020 Rotary Scholarship that was awarded to PMHS graduating senior Charlotte Howard.

A townwide mailing also urged gift cards and take out orders be placed with restaurants, bakeries, caterers and sponsors who have participated in past Tastings events. Donations may be made at pelhamrotary.com or by checks made payable to Pelham Rotary Charities Fund mailed c/ Donna Shirreffs, 146 Loring Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803.

Donors of $300 or more through this fundraising appeal were eligible for a chance to win the Charles Fazzino piece of art.

Proceeds from the 2019 Tastings provided $31,000 to the Gift of Life heart surgery medical missions in Lebanon, Syria and the Philippines to help over 200 children. Locally Tastings funds contributed to the New York Raptors; the Pelham Children’s Center; Project Community – Project Child; Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital’s coat drive for children; and most recently to Pelham Together. Rotary awarded a $12,000 Rotary Scholarship to Charlotte Howard this June, a $2,000 increase over past years’ total. Rotary scholarship applicants are considered for their scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities.