While many fundraising options have been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision was made to continue with the plan and the 100 Acts of Kindness, an initiative first raised within our Rotary District 9800, was enacted in 2021.

Club President Tom Dobeli decided to continue the initiative and the Rotary Club of Bendigo again purchased gift cards from IGA Strathfieldsaye and Mitre 10 Golden Square.

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"These great local institutions matched our contribution, effectively doubling the impact of the initiative to help those in our community in most need," he said.

"We've been doing this for a few years and now and it's important for us to give back wherever we can.

"And to have the support from these great organisations made it even easier."

Mr Dobeli was able to deliver 100 envelopes containing the gift cards both businesses for local community members doing it tough.

These envelopes were presented to Uniting Care's Angela Draper and Bendigo Community Health Services' Dale Hardy.

"We are confident that their experience within the community will see these donations are targeted to those in most need," Mr Dobeli said.

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"Both were so thankful for our donations, it was really lovely to be able to do our part especially at Christmas time.

"It is this kind of community cooperation and inter-connection that makes the efforts of Rotary members most rewarding and as we celebrate the recent success of our Carols by Candlelight we again appreciate and acknowledge the great support of the Bendigo community."

Mr Dobeli said Rotary wanted to acknowledge the great contribution by IGA Strathfieldsaye and Mitre 10 Golden Square in making this 100 Acts of Kindness initiative a great success.

"We sincerely thank them for their generosity," he said.

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