Rotary to fundraise for Ukraine and grants at International Dance for Peace

Event is set for Sept. 18 at Mercer Island Community and Event Center.

By Andy Nystrom • August 24, 2022 5:30 pm

Promoting world peace is an integral component of Rotary International’s mission, said Beth Baska, president of the Mercer Island Rotary Club Foundation Board.

As the Mercer Island club stands strong in that effort, it will be hosting an International Dance for Peace on Sept. 18. Slated from 3-5 p.m. at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, the local club will unveil this inaugural event in direct connection with the annual International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.

In addition to raising funds for its international grants to support clean water, education, healthcare, food baskets and more in a host of countries, the foundation aims to notch $25,000 through its “1,000 Hearts for Peace in Ukraine” fundraiser for humanitarian supplies. Hearts will cost $25 each and will be available for purchase online and at the event.

Tying in with the 18 peace poles that Rotary members placed around the Island in recent years — emblazoned with the sentiment of “May Peace Prevail” on Earth in 14 world languages — people can also sign up to be world languages table sponsors for $1,500.

“We want to resurrect the awareness of the peace poles in addition to also doing a fairly hefty fundraiser for the Ukraine and humanitarian supplies,” said Baska, noting that she’s feeling optimistic about the event and community members are becoming excited about it, too.

Baska added that some Island residents have Ukrainian heritage, and “We hope that what it will do is provide an outlet for a number of those citizens in our community as well.”

Mercer Island’s Hill family is sponsoring the event in memory of Harold and Mary Fran Hill. Harold was a longtime and extremely active Rotarian, according to his son, John Gordon Hill, whose parents resided on the Island for 60 years.

“We saw it as an honor to be a part of such a worthwhile cause, especially in this time,” said John Gordon Hill, who is part of three generations of Hills currently living on the Island.

Sharon Perez, who consults with the Island Rotary foundation on marketing and promotion, said that Rotary and the Hills are an ideal fit because of the family’s lengthy involvement and advocacy for Rotary and their support of building community, arts, music and dance.

Speaking of dance, Perez said that Rotary envisioned the event to be a multi-generational, all-Island dance party similar to a family wedding. Dance, music and fellowship is the three-pronged plan.

World musician Eli Rosenblatt will provide the high-energy mix of salsa, hip-hop, reggae, samba and more and student broadcasters from Mercer Island High School’s KMIH 88.9 FM The Bridge will emcee and deejay the event and assemble an international playlist.

Pre-sale tickets are $20 for adults 21-plus and are available at www.miRotaryDance.org. Tickets are also available at the door for $30. Tickets for youth 20 and under are $10 pre-sale and at the door. Tickets include music, dancing and a cookie table dessert bar. A no-host international beer and wine bar will be offered to adults 21-plus.

For more information about table sponsorships and to purchase Ukraine hearts, visit www.miRotaryDance.org.