In a short video posted to YouTube, Bearama, the Rotary Winterama mascot, coaxes viewers outside in anticipation of the 19th annual Rotary Winterama event.

This year's Rotary Winterama is taking place for the entire month of February. In a February 4 media release, the 19th annual event is a culmination of a successful partnership between local schools, youth groups, the business community and Rotary Clubs of Hepworth-Shallow Lake, Port Elgin, Tara and Southampton, Rotary Winterama that has raised over half a million dollars in the past 18 years.

Ron Moss, Chair of the 2021 Rotary Winterama Committee said that despite COVID-19, they have found a way to move forward with this worthwhile fundraiser. "There will be no Winterama event day in February as is normally the case," said Moss. "Instead, we are asking families to participate in winter activities with their children and make a one-minute fun video," he said, adding that activities could include backyard hockey, skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or building a Bearama snowbear.

With permission from parents and guardians, the video can be shared with friends, relatives and classmates. Student and youth group participant registration will be done on an online platform with participating students having their own Winterama fundraising page. Instead of paper pledge forms, students and youth group participants, with direction from their parents, will be able to email pledge requests to family and friends. Those interested will be directed by a link to their personal fundraising page to make a donation and receive a receipt by email. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.

Paper pledge forms will be available for those who request them.

Prizes will be awarded and the top three individuals raising the most pledge money will receive cash prizes. Schools, individual classes and youth groups will become fundraising teams and $500 will be awarded to the school that raises the most money on a per capita basis. The top class and youth group teams will receive a pizza lunch or coupons.

The Winterama shareback program ensures that 70 percent of pledge money raised goes back to schools and youth groups for school nutrition programs and school or group projects. The remainder goes to Rotary Clubs in support of youth programs in Grey and Bruce counties.

Winterama will be on for the entire month of February. Students and youth groups wanting to participate, or anyone interested in donating to Winterama or supporting a local school or youth group can visit trellis.org/2021rotarywinterama. You can find Rotary Winterama on Facebook at facebook.com/rotarywinterama.