Freeport Rotary Charitable Fund

Rotary is a global network of over 1.2 million community volunteers. Rotary members are business and professional people who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and help build goodwill, peace and understanding in the world.

Some 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries carry out service projects in their local communities and abroad to address such critical issues as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment.

The Freeport Rotary Club, formed in 1983, is a lively and generous group of professionals and business owners who live or work in the Freeport and Pownal areas. Our mission is to provide service to those in need, whether it be in the Freeport-Powal area or around the world.

All the proceeds raised from the Close to the Coast benefit the Freeport Rotary's Education Scholarship Fund.

The club currently gives out 3 scholarships per year: The Joan Benoit-Samuelson Award for $2000, named for the Freeport Resident and 1984 Gold Medal winner, The Stephen S. Leighton Award for $2000, named for charter member Edgar Leighton’s son, who passed away and the Technical Program Award for $1000.  To be eligible, students must be residents of Freeport, Durham or Pownal.  Academic achievement and financial need are considered in the award of these Scholarships as well as community service projects.

Over the past 30 years the Club has awarded well over $190,000 in scholarships and helped over 80 graduating seniors from the Freeport area attended college.  You never know how your small donation towards the scholarship fund may not only profoundly affect the life of one student but the lives that student may touch as well.

This year Freeport Rotary is happy to announce we are partnering with a group from Mast Landing School and awarding one of our scholarships in the name of Beth  Willhoite, who past away this year.  It is our hope through this partnership, we will establish and annual scholarship in Beth's name.  Please take time to read Beth's bio below

Beth Willhoite entered teaching as a second career and after several years in a neighboring community, joined the Mast Landing School as one of three teaching principals. A few short years later she assumed leadership as the sole principal of the building, eventually using her wisdom to guide the faculty and staff through a major transition in philosophy and classroom configuration to the school’s present structure.

With the staff, Beth inspired, guided and encouraged all with whom she came in contact.  Her keen observations, strong work ethic, and seemingly endless energy helped her to thrive in her role as school leader.

She invited parents to participate in every aspect of their child’s education, through parent conferences, volunteering in the classroom, attending field trips and performances. Beth made the school a community in which everyone felt welcome as an active participant, sharing responsibilities and celebrating successes.

Most memorably, Beth was all about the kids.  She loved being with the students, in the classroom, in their assemblies and on the playground; she enjoyed every interaction, modeling, supporting and encouraging student learning and growth.

While she is no longer physically present within the halls of Mast Landing School, the legacy she left both through her direct work with students and leadership of staff continue to be felt throughout Regional School Unit 5.