On 29th June in the delightful garden setting of Barbacoa Restaurant, Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) changed Presidents for the coming Rotary Year of 2021-22. Outgoing President Uwe Jonsson handed over the chain of office to incoming President Shirley Dunne. The Handover was the first time Club members had been together for an official meeting in over a year and it was a pleasure to be together with various guests, albeit appropriately socially distanced.

Rotary Club Estoi Palace International joined forces with the Rotary Clubs of Faro, Olhão and Praia da Rocha to help purchase refrigeration units for the new Refood premises in Faro and Almancil. Helped by a grant from the Portuguese Rotary Foundation, almost 3000 euros was raised to buy the equipment.

Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) held its 8th annual prestigious Rotary Charity Golf Tournament on Thursday 27th August at the magnificent Monte Rei Golf and Country Club, a ‘signature’ Jack Nicklaus designed course.

Due to Covid 19 restrictions it was a rather different event this year. The tournament was limited to 45 players instead of the usual 80, and to ensure social distancing each team of 3 or 4 was asked to start play at 15 minute intervals instead of the usual “shotgun” start where all players start at the same time.  Participants were also able to take part in the “Beat the Pro” competition and 4 players were delighted to achieve this feat.

On June 30th, 2020 an interactive paediatric simulator was delivered to the Paediatric department of Faro Hospital (CHUA- Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve). Rotary Club Estoi Palace International was delighted to be a contributor to this excellent initiative. The cost of the simulator was almost 25.000 and this was raised by contributions from Faro and Moncarapacho Councils, the Rotary Clubs of Albufeira, Almancil, Estoi, Faro, Lagoa, Lagos, Olhao and Tavira plus individual rotarian donators.

In these difficult times, Rotary Club Estoi Palace (RCEPI) has been helping where it can. At the end of March, a joint Algarve Rotary Club project purchased 3 x 3D printers to manufacture visors. A sewing machine was also purchased to make masks. The equipment was delivered to premises provided by Loulé Council and the masks and visors were distributed to various health centers in the Algarve
Last month RCEPI again joined forces with other local Rotary Clubs and delivered 60000 medical gloves to Faro Hospital. The Club has also delivered some food to the hospital to sustain the nurses who are working very long shifts.

Pai Natal found time in his busy Christmas schedule to visit Estoi Casa do Povo on the 12th of December and distribute presents on behalf of the Rotary Club Estoi Palace International. On Sunday morning, 15th December, Pai Natal was then to be found at the Clube das Bias football ground in Moncarapacho…

For the last 8 years Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) has given a Portuguese/English and English/Portuguese dictionary to each of the 5th year students of the School “Poeta Emiliano da Costa in Estoi…

Rotary Club Estoi Palace International organised a successful fundraising bike ride with Activity Algarve Bike Rides on Sunday 24th November in support of the End Polio Now campaign. The event raised 560 euros which will be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation making a total of 1680 euros. If you wish to help us eradicate polio please click here to make a donation.

The mission of Rotary Club Estoi Palace (RCEPI) has always been to help in the local community and last year they joined together with the Rotary Clubs of Faro and Tavira to fund the purchase of a much needed ACUVEIN AV 500 vein detector.

On Saturday, 25th October, the Florentinta Charity Fashion Show took place at Monte Vale d’Eguas Restaurant in Almancil. Over 120 people attended to watch our glamourous models strut their stuff and showcase a selection of clothes available from Florentinta.

The Fashion Show raised in excess of 2500 euros which will benefit two charities, Rotary Club Estoi Palace International and the Goldra Dog Sanctuary.

Margarida is in need to a further operation to help her walk. On the 19th of October the community came together to help her again. The 3rd Charity Party (3.º Arraial Estoi Solidário) was held at the Poeta Emiliano da Costa School in Estoi. Despite the inclement weather nearly 300 people came along to show their support for her. The ticket price was 6 euros which included a sandwich, a drink and live entertainment. The event raised around 5000€ all of which will go towards the cost of Margarida’s operation but further funds are needed. You may make a donation for Margarida here.

Rotary Club Estoi Palace International’s (RCEPI), 7th Annual Charity Golf Tournament was a great success. The event took place on the 29th of August; and over 60 golfers enjoyed a perfect sunny day at Portugal’s number one golf course, the magnificent Monte Rei Golf & Country Club – a ‘signature’ Jack Nicklaus designed course.

Thanks to our friends at Mais Algarve.

The most important day in the Rotary calendar is the Presidential Handover and Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) chose the beautiful Vila Monte Farmhouse in Moncarapacho for this event on Friday 28th June.

Almost 100 Algarve Rotarians and guests listened to outgoing President Bruno Sousa Costa reflect on his year in office – during which the Club raised over 25.000€ to improve the lives of the local community as well as support international causes…

Staff from APPC Faro visited the Rotary Club of Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) to talk about the work their non profit-making Association does supporting children with cerebral palsy and related neurological diseases and their families.  Impressed by the work done on a limited budget the Club decided to raise funds for the purchase of a special posture wheelchair. This helps to maintain a child’s back in the correct position to help their posture…

On Saturday, 8^th June, Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCPI) together with the Rotary Club of Olhao and Alliance Française hosted their 5^th annual iconic White Night Dinner at the historic Museu de Traje in Sao Bras.

The evening was a fantastic success with over 240 people attending, exceeding last year´s numbers.  The guests dressed all in white…

Rotary Club Estoi Palace (RCEPI) held a membership evening for possible new members at About Wine in Faro on the 26th of April.  9 guests attended the  evening accompanied by their sponsoring Rotarians. The evening was hosted by RCEPI Honorary Member, Luis Figueiro owner of About Wine.

On Saturday, 23^rd March, the Florentinta Charity Fashion Show took place at Monte Vale d’Eguas Restaurant in Almancil. Over 150 people attended to watch our 12 glamorous models strut their stuff and showcase a selection of clothes available from Florentinta.

On the 16th of March RC Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) organised a series of career talks for the students at the Poet Emiliano da Costa School in Estoi. Around 90 students from the 8th and 9th grade attended to listen to talks on various career opportunities. Subjects covered included the Police, speaker Abilio Lopes, Civil and Acoustic Engineering, Vitor […]

Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) was delighted to receive a visit from Ilda Braz of RC Ponta Delgada, Açores our Rotary International District Governor (DG). This is an opportunity for the Club to show the DG work that has been done in the local community and internationally. During the visit the DG gave the Club a Certificate of Merit for the funds donated to the End Polio Now campaign, following a successful sponsored bike ride last November.

Rotary Club Estoi Palace Interational held its 2^nd annual “Romantic Dinner” on 16^th February at Comporta Eventos, at Lamaceiro, Pechao. Over 50 people attended this fundraising event in aid of APPC ( Algarve Cerebral Palsy Association). 600 euros was raised which go towards funding equipment required by the Association.

Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) has been helping the local Estoi School  EB2/3  Poeta Emiliano da Costa for many years.   Portuguese/English dictionaries are given annually to year 5 pupils.  The Club also arranges yearly career talks for the older students.  The Club recently bought a new oven for the catering department and helped purchase […]

The Rotary Club of Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) organised  its 4th annual End Polio Now  fundraising bike ride with Activity Algarve Bike Rides on Sunday 25th November.   The wet weather did not deter the riders  and an enthusiastic group turned out to take part.  Two rides were on offer,  both around 35 kms and taking […]

The Estoi Palace Rotary Club International (RCEPI) very successful 6th Annual Charity Golf Tournament was a sell out and plenty of fun for all involved. Nearly 80 players signed up and enjoyed a perfect day on Potugal’s number one golf course, Monte Rei Golf and Country Club. The players arrived to enjoy breakfast, driving range […]