Mystic -- This month the Rotary Club of Mystic donated more than $8,000 to local nonprofit organizations, primarily serving the Groton, Mystic, and Stonington areas. Such donations take place twice a year.

The organizations receiving funding were the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, Denison Society/Homestead, Eastern Connecticut Community Gardens Association, Groton Public Library, Local United Network to Combat Hunger, Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality, Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, Salt Marsh Opera, Connecticut Special Olympics, S.T.E.P.S., Stonington Historical Society, Stonington Free Library, Thames Valley Council for Community Action and Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut,

This year, the Rotary Club has provided hundreds of volunteer hours for many community services and through its annual fundraising events, donated $35,000 to local organizations and international charities in the form of grants and scholarships.

This past weekend the Rotary club was a supporter of the Mystic Holiday Lighted Boat Parade. To learn more about becoming a Rotarian, contact Amy Pisani at (202) 277-7587.