Tahoe Douglas Rotary awards gift cards to first responders and teachers

The Rotary Club of Tahoe Douglas recently purchased and awarded more than $7,000 of the Tahoe Chamber Go Local gift cards as a way of saying thank you to local first responders and teachers for their service during the pandemic.

The club purchased 150 of the $50 denomination cards and distributed them to all local Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies, Tahoe Douglas Fire personnel, and the teaching and support staff of both Whittell High and Zephyr Cove Elementary school.

“During this past year, our community’s first responders and educators have stayed at their post and performed above and beyond,” said Paul Thibodeau, Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club president. “This action will help stimulate the local economy and thank these local heroes for their yeoman work during the pandemic.”

The cards are redeemable at small retail and service businesses and local restaurants adversely affected during the pandemic.

The Tahoe Douglas Rotary utilized a portion of the grant received from the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority as a result of last year’s American Century Championship to support the Go Local eGift program.

“We wanted to direct a good portion of that grant to support local businesses during these troubled times, and even more important during Tahoe’s ‘shoulder season',” said Thibodeau. “Partnering with the Tahoe Chamber’s Go Local Tahoe Card campaign was a perfect fit and a win-win proposition.”

In addition to the Rotary of Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club, Barton Health and Vail Resorts are among several local organizations that have purchased the gift cards.

“It’s definitely become a mutually beneficial project for the entire community,” said Emily Abernathy, Chamber of Commerce director of operations. “Including the Rotary Club’s purchase, we have now distributed nearly 2,000 local Gift Cards totaling a cash value of $70,000. With nearly $25,000 redeemed to date, we have received positive feedback from several participating restaurants and retailers. The program is definitely working!”

The Go Local Gift Card promotion launched in December with cards still available for purchase in increments of $10, $25, $50 and $100 in the form of MasterCard debit cards redeemable at participating businesses. For a complete list, https://golocaltahoe.com or TahoeChamber.org. Cards are valid for up to one year.

In the photo: Left to Right - Cade Bolton, Firefighter; Juan Serrano, Paramedic; Katie Keith, Rotary Club President-Elect; Justin Redding, Captain; Chris Lucas, Battalion Chief; Steve Tashara, Tahoe Chamber CEO; Emily Abernathy, Tahoe Chamber Dir. Operations; Amanda Gardner, Tahoe Chamber Membership Manager; DC Deputy, Sampson; Ryder Evens, Rotarian; Shawn Lear, Whittell HS Principle; DC Deputy, Holdridge; Carol Chaplin, CEO LTVA; Scott Lindgren, Fire Chief; Paul Thibodeau, Tahoe Douglas Rotary President.

About Tahoe Douglas Rotary
Founded in 1962, members of the Tahoe-Douglas Rotary Club are dedicated people who share a passion for both community service and friendship. The club brings together a global network of community leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. They connect 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas, impacting lives at both the local and international levels. Tahoe Douglas Rotary is known for their annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Silent Auction fundraiser and their participating support of the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe. In addition to its cash grant contributions to a number of South Tahoe Area non-profits and other community projects, the Rotary Club is historically involved in various youth programs and offers annual Scholarships to local graduating students.
Currently on Zoom - the Club meets weekly on Friday at 12:00. https://portal.clubrunner.ca/8368