Rotary International Director Jessie Harman and Rotary Zone 8 Foundation Director Peter Garnett recently visited Hawke's Bay.At a dinner for Past District Governors and Major Donors, much fun and conviviality ensued.
Past District Governor Ross Pinkham mentioned the Polar Bear Swim in the ocean off Ahuriri, Napier. Cheeky Max Patmoy pledged $200 if RI Director Jessie took the plunge and immersed herself in the icy waters. Jessie laughed and politely refused. Well, push came to shove and other participants at the dinner pledged more and more for a Jessie Harman plunge.
Peter, Ross, Jessie, and Max
When the pledges reached over NZ$1,600 for The Rotary Foundation a very dedicated Jessie accepted the challenge.
The following morning, Jessie (in a borrowed costume), Zone 8 Director Peter Garnett, then-District Governor Ross Pinkham, and Major Donor Max Patmoy took a dip for Rotary.
One wag dryly noted that one dinner raised more money for Rotary than a lot of clubs donate over a whole year.