On Saturday, May 10, 2025, in a esounding display of community spirit and generosity, the recent Wine and Cheese Fundraiser exceeded all expectations, bringing together residents, local businesses, and supporters for an unforgettable evening and raising over $10,000. Held on the grounds of the Belau National Museum on a beautiful evening, the event combined exquisite flavors, harmonious conversations, and a shared commitment to bettering the community.
The Rotary Club of Palau’s annual fundraiser aimed to raise funds for the local promotion of healthy initiatives,environmental conservation, and education of young adults. This year, guests enjoyed a curated selection of fine wine varietals from Argentina paired with an assortment of artisanal cheeses and delicious miich (local nuts) specially prepared by Chef Albert. The evening was further enhanced by the lively emcees, Kiruu Kanai, joined by Tutii Chilton for the live auction of fines wines and spirits and musical entertainment by popular local musicians, Stallone Obakrairur with Pimp on the keyboards, created an ambiance of celebration. The event attracted a diverse mix of long-standing pillars of the community members, including local officials, business leaders, and dedicated supporters of Rotary’s causes.
Through ticket sales, raffles, silent auctions, and generous donations, the Wine and Cheese Fundraiser raised an impressive total of over $10,000. The Club gratefully acknowledges the generous donations from our sponsor club, the Rotary Club of Saipan, and from Japan, the Ginza-Nihonbashi Rotary Group. Highlights of the fundraising efforts included silent auction as well as the live auction of exclusive wines and spirits, including premium liquors from Taiwan and Japan.
The success of the fundraiser would not have been possible without the support of all the individuals who purchased tickets, together with local businesses and sponsors. Special mesulang to the following for their cash and in-kind donations: Bank of Hawaii, Belau National Museum, Belau Submarine Cable Corporation, Blue Bay Petroleum, Chen’s Dress Shop, Cove Hotel, Danka Ledgerwood, Chef Albert Leach, Drop Off Bar & Grill, EcoPro Palau, Elilai Restaurant, Family Surgical Clinic, Fish N’ Fins, Franson Gibbons and Elengoi Gibbons, IMPAC Tours, Kimie’s Farms, Koror State Government, Koror State Legislature, MCED-Peleliu, Ngchesar State Government, Orakiruu Corporation, Scott Slagel, Palau Central Hotel, Pacific Pioneer, Palau Pacific Resort, Palau Royal Resort, Payless, PIDC, Palau Shipping Company, Palasia Hotel, The Penthouse Hotel, and Republic of China (Taiwan); we do apologize if we inadvertently overlooked others and will update in a follow-up article. The donors played a pivotal role in contributing resources and expertise to ensure the event’s success. Their commitment to the community is a testament to the power of collaboration in achieving shared goals.
The success of this year’s Wine and Cheese Fundraiser sets the stage for future events aimed at fostering community engagement and achieving meaningful impact. Funds raised from the event will directly contribute to the Club’s specific areas of focus – early education and health initiatives to fight early-onset NCDs by providing equipment to the Belau National Hospital and maintaining obstacle playgrounds throughout elementary schools in the country, funding the Dave Williams Rotary Scholarship to a deserving Palau Community College student pursuing higher education, and environmental conservation causes including planting of trees in conjunction with Ebiil Society and other NGOs.
The Rotary Club of Palau extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who purchased tickets, enthusiastically participated in the auctions, donated, or otherwise contributed to the event’s success as we celebrated 30 years of service. Your generosity and enthusiasm have demonstrated the strength and unity of our community. Together, we can achieve remarkable things. For more information about the Rotary Club of Palau, please visit our FaceBook Page, Rotary Palau, join us for fellowship every 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month at noon at The Penthouse Hotel, or email rotarypalau@gmail.com. ########