Rockwall Breakfast Rotary is once again serving as the sponsoring agency for Dallas Race Week, the weeklong regatta on Lake Ray Hubbard that concludes Friday, June 26 with a party at Chandlers Landing Marina.

The final post-race celebration, which will begin about 8:30 p.m., includes complimentary food, beverages, live music and a fireworks display. The public is welcome to join in the fun.

Proceeds from Dallas Race Week benefit community service projects of the Breakfast Rotary.

“This annual event is the primary means by which Rockwall Breakfast Rotary is able to support a wide range of diverse charitable organizations serving our greater Rockwall community. None of this would be possible without the considerable support of our many corporate sponsors. This is truly a team event in every respect,” said George Russell, Grant Committee chairman.

Rockwall Breakfast Rotary announced its 2009 Community Grant Award winners on Wednesday evening, during a Race Week party at the Hilton Bella Harbor.

One award went to Before the Bridge, a no-kill pet rescue group. The grant will be used to purchase kennels to help save more animals.

Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County won a grant to construct an obstacle course and expand their gardening program.

A grant went to the Food Pantry of Helping Hands, to purchase supplies through the summer when food donations are lower and demand is greater due to vacations and the lack of access to Rockwall ISD free/reduced breakfast and lunch programs.

Rockwall Area Habitat for Humanity won a grant for building supplies and specialized work that is not doable by their extensive labor pool.

The Health Center of Helping Hands won a grant to purchase new equipment to increase pediatric services and enhance delivery of quality health care.

Master Gardeners of Rockwall County will use their grant to construct an education building and greenhouse to expand community training programs.

Meals on Wheels, Rockwall County Commission on Aging, won a grant for Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve meals, two of the eight days when their kitchen is closed.

One Man’s Treasure Clothes Closet, which empowers indigent men recently released from prison, will use their grant to purchase garment racks to store clothing donations.

Rockwall County Library’s Reading for Adults program won a grant for GED supplies.

Rockwall Pregnancy Resource Center will use their grant to replace old technology and computers.

More than 1,500 new pairs of back-to-school shoes will be purchased by Shoes For Kids, thanks in part to their grant award.

Lastly, the Thrift Store of Helping Hands won a grant for community advertising, to increase shopper awareness and revenues in order to support the growing demand for the critical assistance agency’s many services.

Be sure to post your sunset, sailing and celebration photos at neighborsgo.com.

For more information, visit rockwallbreakfastrotary.com and dallasraceweek.com. Stay tuned to neighborsgo for Race Week results!

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.