OKEECHOBEE – The Okeechobee Rotary Club plans a Wine and Chocolate Gala at the C. Scott Driver Recreation Facility on May 8.

At the April 8 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission, Melissa Jahner president of the Rotary Club, asked the commission to waive the fee to use the facility. Rotary also requested permission to serve alcoholic beverages throughout the event.

“We are a non-profit,” said Jahner. “The money we raise goes back into the community.”

She said the Rotary was not able to hold their annual Wild Game Dinner this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. This event is a smaller scale where social distancing will be possible.

“We are hoping to get vendors to come out to promote their businesses,” she explained.

The commissioners agreed to waive the fees and allow Rotary to serve beer and wine at the event.