Home Page | Rotary Club of Guelph

Remarkable annual fundraising by the Proudfoot twins ... again

December 23, 2021

Riverside Park sparkled with admiration this morning, as friends, family and fans of Kaylyn and Amber gathered at the park to celebrate another amazing year of fundraising and generosity by the special Proudfoot twins, who are now 20 years old. They are a Guelph treasure.

In 2021 alone, the girls raised over $6,500 by:

Collecting empties, scrap metal, wine corks, water and pop cans, and pop tabs. All of these things are turning into money that the girls donate to charity.
Selling their old toys, games and books.
Asking that any gifts they receive are donations to charity or money that they can donate to charity.

They epitomize Rotary’s global motto of SERVICE ABOVE SELF, made possible through the extraordinary support of their parents, Carrie and John Proudfoot.

When the twins recently reached out to our club to say they wanted to hand over a donation to Rotary to support some specific activities, a small outdoor event was planned at the park, with a surprise drop-in guest ... Honourary Rotarian Mayor Cam Guthrie! He was delighted to jointly celebrate the twins, Rotary, and Sparkles in the Park.

Christmas joy was in the air as the girls handed out several cheques for different causes, and Rotary presented each of the girls with a special Certificate of Appreciation, handed over by Kerry Johnson, Jacquie Gray and Terrie Jarvis.

Finding the Covid Balance Webinar - Special Edition for the Holidays

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by the latest Covid surge and the rapidly changing situation, you're not alone.

That's why there is a special edition of "Finding The Balance Webinar" on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 7pm to share accurate, up to date medical information and support the mental health of our community.

Use this registration link to register for this free webinar with Dr. Anne-Marie Zadjlik, primary care physician and Helen Fishburn, Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington. Donations will support Bracelet of Hope and other local charities.

Sparkles in the Park 2021

For the 24th year, the Rotary Club of Guelph is bringing a sparkle back to the city with Christmas lights at Riverside Park.

https://sparklesinthepark.ca

Over several months, the dedicated Rotary "elves" have been checking and preparing the many lights and displays for the event starting on Thursday, December 16.

Each evening up until New Year's Eve on December 31, the park will be lit up from 5:30pm to 9:30pm for the public to enjoy by driving through ... or around and around to see them all! And be sure to look out for Santa each night until December 23.

Under the present Covid conditions, the event will be DRIVE THROUGH ONLY. For the same reason, there can be no carousel rides or fireworks on New Year's Eve, either. (We're sad about that, too!)

DONATIONS

All donations at this 100% volunteer-run event are gratefully received, and go towards charitable projects that improve life.

Volunteers near the park entrance will warmly greet visitors and collect donations, also offering tap-based debit and credit card donations.

Online donations made to SPARKLES will provide a tax receipt that can be shown through the car window for multiple entries to the park.

A big thank you to this year's sponsors!

Remembering Martha Rogers

UPDATE:

Donate here to the Martha Rogers Memorial Fund through Rotary.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/69015

On December 6th, we received the very sad news that our remarkable colleague and friend, Martha Rogers, had unexpectedly passed away during the past weekend at her home in Elora.

Just four months before, Martha had finally retired as head of the Upper Grand District School Board, a position she had held for 26 years. She had also been an active and valued member of our Rotary Club of Guelph for 30 years.

A celebration of life will be held in the new year.

As conversations are shared amongst her colleagues and her Rotary friends, these two quotes say a lot about the legacy of Dr. Martha Rogers.

"Martha always made me feel special, and now I realize that her gift was to make EVERYONE feel unique, appreciated, worthy and capable of greatness. What a legacy for us to aspire to!"

"She was the very best of what we hope to be like when we grow up - compassionate, communicative, an active listener, a positive person, and fun...so much fun."

READ THE FULL OBITUARY BELOW.

READ CLUB PRESIDENT MAHMUD HASSAIN'S MESSAGE BELOW.

Support ShelterBox on Giving Tuesday

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Today is Giving Tuesday. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. The Rotary Club of Guelph is a ShelterBox Canada Champion. We have supported 3 Shelterboxes, but the need is desperate - there are 113 million people without shelter due to disaster this holiday season! Disasters are becoming more frequent and intense, which means the humanitarian crisis is growing. By donating whatever you can, whether it’s $5 or $500, you will be helping to provide emergency shelter and supplies to the families most in need. Thank you Rotarians for all you do to uplift others! Click here to donate: https://shelterboxcanada.akaraisin.com/ui/2022rotary/team/377015

Rotary "Holiday Market" Online Auction

The Rotary Club of Guelph is delighted to announce A Rotary Holiday Market experience through an Online Silent Auction where you will find a lovely variety of items which may be perfect gifts for your family, friends, or for your own enjoyment.

The Auction will run from Dec. 1 to the 7, 2021. Bidding open on Wednesday, December 1 but meanwhile take a look at the items on offer ... and come back on December 1!

Click on this link to find the Auction:

trellis.org/rotaryholidaymarket

Rotary has always been fortunate to have the support of so many community businesses, and the donors of these items have been faithful supporters for many years.

Enjoy the auction and thanks for your support!

For further information, email

Joanne Penfold or Rosemary Clark

Rotary Recognizes Local Students

Rotary Recognized Local Students at their Commencement Exercises in Spring 2021.

Each year, the Rotary Club of Guelph offers the Gary Tatum Achievement Award to recognize students from each Guelph Secondary School to receive our recognition and congratulations for significant achievement in the face of challenges.

The Rotary Motto of "Service Above Self" guided past Rotarian Gary Tatum, in whose honour this award is named. Gary worked selflessly as a Rotarian, in our Guelph community, as do millions of other Rotarians all over the world. Along with a Certificate of Achievement, the award includes a $500 cheque to assist the students with their future educational plans. We are very pleased to honour the following students, recommended by their teachers and school community, and trust they will continue to be successful in whatever path they choose.

Awarded in the Spring:

Bishop Macdonnell - Samantha Tracey

Lourdes- Alexandra Botko

St. James- Marco Monteiro

St. John Bosco Tristan Hertel

Awarded in the Fall:

Centennial CVI – Lindsay Scott

College Heights S.S. - Kalpana Bista

GCVI - Markos Menjivar-Gomez

John F. Ross - Ethan Williams

In addition, a special award – The Don Bower Award is presented to a graduating student at College Heights in honour of former Rotarian Don Bower. The award recipient this year is Thomas Loughlean.

Rotary takes on Human Trafficking

Posted on Nov 23, 2021

Join us for "Rotary Takes On Human Trafficking

Online Monthly Speaker Series, Hear from two Rotary Clubs in Texas and Thailand - who have dedicated their efforts, resources, and work to eradicate this issue

Event will take place November 30th @ 7:00 pm. You are required to register early and a link will be provided to view the event. To Register click here: bit.ly/2TsPYgM or Click here.

Support Rotary's Local "Catch The Ace"

November 19, 2021

Our friends at the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium have joined an exciting fundraising initiative – a weekly, progressive raffle called “Catch the Ace.”

This weekly raffle - https://rotaryraffle.online/guelph-trillium/ gives everyone a chance to support two amazing local charities:

Food4Kids Guelph whose mission is to close the weekend gap by providing food for children whose families are struggling to make ends meet.

Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre whose mission is to develop the full potential of children and adults with special needs through therapy education, horse riding, recreation and life skills programs.

Buy your tickets NOW and make sure you select Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium

$20 for 80 entries

$10 for 20 entries

$5 for 3 entries

Play weekly for a chance to win the Jackpot. https://rotaryraffle.online/guelph-trillium/

Weekly ticket sales are split into three portions

20% to each weekly draw winner
30% to the Progressive Catch the Ace Jackpot – to the weekly winner if the card number chosen reveals the “Ace of Spades”.
50% (less nominal administrative costs) will go to the charities

Please share this link widely with friends, families, colleagues, neighbours and the community so Rotary can raise money for Food4Kids Guelph and Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre

The more you play the more you and our charities have a chance of winning! It takes just a minute to change the lives of so many deserving families.

If you have any questions please email mailto:rotaryguelphtrillium@rotaryraffle.online

Annual Cheese Gift Bag Fundraiser

November 9, 2021

Our friends at the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora have launched their popular, annual CHEESE GIFT BAG fundraiser. For just $40, you get a $45 value with:

4 Balderson Cheese Blocks
2 President's Choice Crackers
1 Red Pepper Jelly

TO ORDER:

Online at www.ferguselorarotary.com, or

Rotarian Jim Gibbons 519-843-3664, or

Rotarian John Wheatley 519-831-2043

Proceeds go towards supporting their favourite charities, including Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Wellington, the Food Bank, Community Resource Centre, Elora House, KidsAbility, The Grove Hub in Fergus, Tree Trust, Wellington Pregnancy Centre, and Groves Memorial Hospital.

More evidence of how Rotary makes a difference in communities everywhere!

The Grove Hubs - an update

October 22, 2021

Here is a quick update on The Grove (formerly The Integrated Youth Services Network). These are very exciting times for our community. Very soon, two sites will open in Guelph.

The University of Guelph site is ready for occupancy and they are in the process of hiring staff.
The Guelph Y will begin to offer mental health services even before their building expansion starts.

In the month of September, the Wellington County sites saw over 740 youth (and this is with the restricted capacity because of Covid). Those Grove Hubs are on track to double that number in October.

Here is a one minute video that explains The Grove exceptionally well. Feel free to share. https://vimeo.com/showcase/8776086

Cyndy Moffat Forsyth thanks the Rotary Club of Guelph for its support, saying "The Grove would still be a hope and dream if Rotary had not taken the lead in 2018."

Community Resilience Summit on Nov 9

October 29, 2021

Raechelle Devereaux, a member of our Rotary Club of Guelph and CEO of the Guelph Community Health Centre, invites all interested to attend a free, online COMMUNITY RESILIENCE SUMMIT on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 from 9am-12noon. Register in advance here.

It's a half-day of learning led by the ACEs coalition. (ACE stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences.) The summit will dig into the role each of us can play in building resilience into our communities, building partnerships across multiple sectors to make our communities stronger and more equitable.

Resilience is much more than our personal capacity to overcome adversity. It is instead a reflection of how well individuals, families, employers and communities work together to create opportunities for people to navigate their way to the resources they need for well-being. When individuals, families, and neighbourhoods struggle, there are implications for all of us.

Thriving communities happen when people come together to share ideas and collaborate on solutions ... exactly what Rotary aims for.

Adopt-A-Family 2021

October 26, 2021

Once again this year, the Rotary Club of Guelph will “Adopt-A-Family” for Christmas, and we’re asking for the usual generosity of club members and friends so that we can become the Secret Santa for families and youth in need.

In 2020, our Rotary Club of Guelph supported four families with gift cards and provided snowsuits and snow boots for 11 chilly children. How many families and youth can we support this year?

PLEASE DONATE RIGHT NOW

Our club volunteers will do all the necessary organizing on your behalf, and you will receive a tax receipt for your donation.

Preferred option: Canada Helps

Donate through our Rotary Club of Guelph’s CANADA HELPS page here:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/65623

Tax receipts will automatically be issued by Canada Helps, and it will be easy for us to track the total amount donated this way.

Alternative option: Mail a cheque

Make your cheque out to Rotary Club of Guelph (memo line: Adopt-A-Family) and mail to:

1002 – 150 Wellington Street E

Guelph ON N1H 0B5

You will later receive a tax receipt from the Rotary Club of Guelph for donations over $20.

Guelph Rotaractors promote World Polio Day

October 24, 2021

Each October 24th is WORLD POLIO DAY as international health experts and partners share the world's progress on the road to polio eradication. Around the globe, clubs find ways of promoting Rotary's remarkable End Polio campaign.

This year in Guelph, the Rotaract Club of Guelph members fulfilled a goal of every University of Guelph student ... to paint the cannon, at least once!

Under cover of darkness on Saturday night, October 23, the Rotaractors painted "Old Jeremiah" purple with gold wheels. They spray-painted "World Polio Day 2021" on one side, and "Rotaract Club" on the other.

The cannon is a British naval gun, rumoured to have been used in the War of 1812, and it stands in Branion Plaza across from the University Centre. It is a long-standing Guelph tradition for students to paint the cannon with messages in order to promote events and organizations.

Well done, Rotaractors! We are so proud of you.

Food4Kids Guelph Fundraiser - Halloween Movie Night

The Rotary-inspired Food4Kids Guelph charity is finally getting back to the business of delivering actual FOOD BAGS again. After being shut out of schools due to Covid for 19 months, and mailing grocery gift cards to families instead, the program is resuming its weekend food bag deliveries this month. First deliveries go out to schools on Friday, October 22. The dedicated volunteers are very busy ramping up operations!

Currently, Food4Kids Guelph supports over 300 children at 28 local elementary schools, and every week, new referrals from school principals come in. So the work continues, and so does the fundraising.

A wonderful group of volunteers has arranged an unusual fundraiser … a Halloween Movie Night at the Mustang Drive-in on Thursday, Oct 28th. The next day is a PD day at local schools so it's hoped that kids might be able to stay out a little later that night. The movie will be THE ADDAMS FAMILY (2019 animated version).

The volunteers are hoping for parents and grandparents to bring kids out for some Halloween fun at the drive-in. Tickets are on sale through the website Food4KidsGuelph.ca.

Volunteers needed for Guelph General Hospital TAP TO CARE campaign

Guelph General Hospital is looking for volunteers for one or more 4-hour shifts throughout the week of November 1^st to November 7^th for their TAP TO CARE fundraising campaign.

Tap to Care Days are taking place Monday, November 1st to Sunday, November 7th. This initiative is one of many community engagement activities planned as part of A Week of Caring Together. As we approach our $34 million Together, We Care fundraising goal, we want everyone in our community to have an opportunity to contribute.

Tap to Care Volunteers, will be equipped with a lanyard with tap to donate technology. They’ll be assigned to a location with high pedestrian traffic where they will ask passerbyers if they would like to tap to donate to Guelph General Hospital’s Together, We Care campaign. For someone to donate, all they need to do is tap their credit card on the lanyard tag. Each tap makes a $5 donation. Donations will be used to help fund a powerful new MRI scanner for Guelph General Hospital.
All volunteers will be assigned a partner to work with
All shifts are 4 hours long, but as you are in pairs, you can trade off as needed for short breaks
Locations will be predetermined by The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital and permission by the store owners/ property management will be confirmed
Volunteers will be provided with:
A tap to pay lanyard
Together, We Care branded toques
Purple vest to be worn over jacket/ sweater
A small plastic cup to accept coin/ cash donations
Talking points so you can answer questions about how the donations will be used
A medical grade mask and hand sanitizer
A training session over Zoom will be scheduled for all volunteers for review of the finer details
Please circulate this opportunity and ask those that are interested to complete the Volunteer Enrolment form found on his webpage: https://togetherwecare.ca/tap-to-care-days-volunteering/

For questions, please contact Elizabeth Stewart by email: estewart2@gghorg.ca

TOWARDS TRUTH - Indigenous Awareness events in Guelph

TOWARDS TRUTH - free events commemorating Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE SPEAKER EVENT FEATURING

Ava Hill, Phil Monture, Roberta and Dawn Hill

Fast-forward to event start at 16:15

Fast-forward over Intermission from 1:16-1:28

https://vimeo.com/611925156/11d20d3cc7

The City of Guelph and the Rotary Club of Guelph’s Indigenous Awareness Committee have put together a number of FREE events for the local community to learn more about Residential Schools and their impact.

These events are happening close to September 30th to mark Canada’s first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, a new federal holiday.

For events organized by the Rotary Club of Guelph, read on for program details below, or download the program details here.

Free tickets can be reserved here.

ALSO NOTE THE EVENTS AT THE GUELPH CIVIC MUSEUM - story telling, art installation, exhibition.

Details below.

Rotarian Martha Rogers retires from UGSDB

September 22, 2021

Our Rotarian colleague, Martha Rogers, has been an active member of our club for over 30 years. At the beginning of this month, Martha retired from her 26-year role as Executive Director of the Upper Grand District School Board at the beginning of this month.

Read this wonderful article about Martha on Guelph Today here or download a copy of the article here.

Photo and news article by Anam Khan / Guelph Today

Join the next "Finding the Balance during Covid-19" session

Here's a shortcut to the registration page: CLICK HERE

By the way, did you see this wonderful news? Congratulations, Helen!

Helen Fishburn, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Waterloo Wellington received the 2021 Champions of Mental Health: Community Individual Award.

Read about it on Guelph Today by clicking here.

Mystery Car Rally in support of Sunrise Therapeutic Centre

Our friends at the Rotary Club of Guelph South encourage you to join this event - a wonderful fall activity to have fun while doing good and helping the Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre in Puslinch, Ontario.

It's a Mystery Car Rally, limited to 40 cars ($50 per car).

The Rally is on Sunday, October 3, 2021

Last date for registering is Tuesday, September 21, 2021

A picnic on the Sunrise grounds offers boxed refreshments and opportunities to see and be photographed with the horses. To add to the fun, there is even a competition for the best decorated car or best individual dressup costume. Download the registration and pledge form here.

To register, email fiona@sunrise-therapuetic.ca or call 519-837-0558 x35.

Lobsterfest Guelph is on September 25, 2021

Hey #Guelph! Rotary’s annual LOBSTERFEST has been an annual highlight on the Guelph calendar since 1980. Still operating under Covid rules, we’re once again inviting you to treat yourself to a delicious take home meal for a great cause! Book your meal tickets here for Saturday, September 25, 2021, with pick-up at the ICC. Click here to watch our cool video!

ON THE MENU THIS YEAR:

A whole, freshly-cooked 1 1/4 pound lobster OR

A full rack of savory barbeque ribs

along with potato salad, creamy cabbage salad, dill spear, baked beans and

Tiramisu for dessert

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Saturday, September 25, 2021

Time: Pick up between 5pm and 6pm

Location: Italian Canadian Club (ICC), 135 Ferguson Street, Guelph

Meal price: $90 each which includes a donation to Rotary (tax receipt for $40)

Order by: Monday, September 20, 2021 … this is the last possible date to place orders

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

https://bit.ly/3z8vzx1

Rotary Ribfest on August 27-29 will be a drive-through event

The count down is on for the 2021 Guelph Drive Thru Ribfest on Aug 27-29. Are you coming?

Popular annual ribbers Billy Bones BBQ Canada, Silver Bullet BBQ, and Boss Hogs BBQ will serve up mouth watering BBQ.

Enjoy their delicious BBQ and help Rotary raise money for some incredibly hard-working charities.

Details, menus, and directions are all online at

https://www.ribfestguelph.com/.

It starts Friday Aug 27th at 4pm through the weekend to finish at 7pm Sunday Aug 29th - Centennial High School Parking Lot, 289 College Ave. W., Guelph Parking lot. Cars only, no foot traffic to ensure everyone’s safety. See the hours below.

Help spread the word!

#ribfest #rotary #localcharities #guelph #rotaryguelphtrillium

Rotary Duck Race 2021 donates $26,300 to Food4Kids Guelph!

August 9, 2021

For over 30 years, the Rotary Club of Guelph Wellington ('the Monday night club') has entertained Guelphites and generously fundraised for the community with their annual Duck Race, traditionally held on Canada Day at Riverside Park and dropping almost 4,000 numbered yellow duckies into the Speed River, with great cheers and prizes. It's a sight to see!

This Covid year, for the second in a row, the Duck Race organizers ran a 'virtual' Duck Race. It ended up being a huge success.

The astonished and grateful volunteers from Food4Kids Guelph (a Rotary-inspired charity) were thrilled to receive $26,300 from the 2021 Duck Race to help feed local children.

In thanking the Guelph Wellington Rotarians, Terrie Jarvis explained how Food4Kids is now supporting 360 Guelph children each and every week, as their families struggle to make ends meet and they often lack sufficient food at home. Each child is supported to the tune of $15 per week, so the program now costs the charity about $26,000 a month - a huge undertaking for its volunteers and fundraising. The welcome contribution from the Duck Race will support the program for an entire month - a very big deal and relief for this charity.

Thank you, Duck Race Team and members of the Rotary Club of Guelph Wellington, and all their Duck Race sponsors and supporters!

Service Above Self is the Rotary motto, well delivered here!

IYSN is now THE GROVE HUBS, and more great news!

July 22, 2021

The IYSN (Integrated Youth Services Network) finally has its proper name and will henceforth be known as THE GROVE Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario. See their new website here.

The creation of these new youth hubs in Guelph Wellington has miraculously occurred in less than two years. Without the Rotary Club of Guelph's initiative in acting as a neutral facilitator, this incredible development would likely not have happened at all. Our club will forever link the names of our members Cyndy Forsyth and Paul Dredge to this endeavour, with deep gratitude for their tireless efforts and vision in pulling together existing community resources to support our youth in a new way.

July 22, 2021 was a very special milestone. There was an official ground-breaking ceremony for the future home on Woolwich Street of CMHA-WW's 60,000 square foot Centre for Children's Mental Health and Development Services where The Grove will occupy 8,000 square feet.

Along with this groundbreaking came news of the incredible $50 million donation to CMHA-WW by Rotarian Robert Eiler's property development company, Vesperra. The full story in Guelph Today is a must-read. Robert has been a Rotarian for 19 years, the last 5 of which have been with the Rotary Club of Guelph.

https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/local-developer-gives-50-million-donation-to-community-mental-health-project-3977889

The Rotary Club of Guelph's charitable foundation, RGC Fund, will provide funding of $250,000 towards The Grove hub on Woolwich Street to be distributed as follows: $200,000 plus up to an additional $50,000 in the matching of other donations dollar for dollar, by the time the facility opens in 2023. Donation details can be found here.

https://www.rgcfund.ca/info/ways-to-give

Of the seven planned youth hubs, the three in Wellington are already up and running, in Fergus, Erin and Palmerston. The four youth hubs planned for the city of Guelph (Woolwich Street, UoG, Shelldale and The Y) all require construction and will open at various times, in 2022 and 2023.

Duck Race 2021 Winners

July 5, 2021

GRAND PRIZE WINNER OF THE 2021 DUCK RACE

The Grand Prize Draw for the 2021 Rotary Guelph Duck Race took place at 2pm on July 1st, and the winner of $500 worth of groceries per month for one year from Zehrs is Tricia Taylor – Winning Ticket # 101668. Congratulations, Tricia!

Tricia's winning ticket was sold to her by one of the Beyond Borders students who helped promote this year's Duck Race as one of their group assignments. Several of the students attended the Rotary Club of Guelph Wellington's celebratory club meeting on Monday, July 5, 2021.

This year's Duck Race, with excellent marketing support from The Letter M, ended up with fabulous results. The final tally is still being made to let the Rotary-inspired Food4Kids Guelph program know what donation is coming their way as beneficiary of this year's Duck Race.

EARLY BIRD DUCK RACE 2021 PRIZE WINNERS shown below

July 1 and the start of a new Rotary year

On July 1, the Rotary Club of Guelph is normally busy hosting Canada Day In The Park for the Guelph community, an event it has taken full responsibility for organizing in the city for almost three decades, raising over $1 million to support good causes locally and abroad. But for the second year in a row, Guelph's Canada Day will be different this year. Read more here.

July 1 is a very special day for Rotary in another way, too. It marks the start of a new Rotary year, with every Rotary Club in the world welcoming a new club president beginning their one-year term of office.

The Rotary Club of Guelph warmly and proudly welcomes Mahmud Hassain as its new club president for 2021-2022.

In this fun photo, he shows off the traditional Paul Harris Fellow medallion that is ceremoniously passed from one club president to the next. Read the lovely story behind this medallion here.

Ending Rotary year 2020-21 on a high note

June 25, 2021

It's hard to believe that Tracey's year as club president for 2020-2021 ends in a few days' time ... with every single club meeting conducted online this whole year! And what a year it has been with all the Covid-19 restrictions. Never to be forgotten.

Despite the many challenges, our club pulled through in fine style and good shape, adding new members, conducting some brand new fundraisers, and managing to conduct old fundraisers in new ways. In the worst of times, we experienced the best of Rotary.

Assistant District Governor Darlene Carpenter attended Tracey's "swan song" meeting to personally thank her and also the Rotary Club of Guelph.

Plus ... Darlene is now handing over the role of Assistant District Governor to Tracey for the next three years. Read Darlene's beautiful speech below.

Charlie Whittaker's Rotary Legacy Lives On

June 25, 2021

Any of our club members who joined before March 2017 will fondly remember our one and only fellow Rotarian, Charlie Whittaker, an active club member for 43 years and a highly memorable influence in and around the Guelph area. He passed away unexpectedly on March 28, 2017 at the age of 84.

Charlie's memory lives on through several legacies, with another significant one added today: 14 Paul Harris Fellowships awarded to club members in his name. Read more in the separate story on our website here.

Charlie's daughter, Michele Richardson, a member of our club since 2011, today paid tribute to her late and great dad.

14 new Paul Harris Fellows, in memory of Charlie Whittaker

June 25, 2021

Today, our Rotary Club surprised 14 members by recognizing them as Paul Harris Fellows, primarily made possible through the legacy of our late club member, Charlie Whittaker, and his wife Maggie who gladly supported the suggestion of using Charlie's accumulated Rotary Foundation Points for this purpose.

Ab Moore explained how this came about, based on one of the Rotary Foundation's best kept secrets.

Canada Day 2021 in Guelph

June 22, 2021

The Rotary Club of Guelph has hosted Canada Day In The Park for almost three decades and through this initiative has raised over $1 Million to support good causes locally and abroad. For the second straight year, we are unable to host Canada Day In The Park, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate being Canadian. Here are a few things you can do:

GO FOR A WALK IN THE ROTARY FOREST TRAIL – here is the link. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/rotary-forest-trail

VISIT A LOCAL NURSERY, plant a new flower and watch it grow all summer.

SUPPORT THE ROTARY DUCK RACE with a chance to win $6,000 in food from Zehrs – lucky draw is at 2pm on July 1st. All proceeds go towards Food4Kids Guelph. https://www.gotduck.ca

TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CANADIAN, AND ABOUT OUR MAPLE LEAF FLAG. Where did the flag originate? Why is there a maple leaf on our flag? https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-flag-canada-day/about.html

TALK ABOUT LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND WHAT IT MEANS – here is a link with a short explanation and video. https://rotaryguelph.ca/stories/land-acknowledgement-1

VISIT THE GUELPH FARMERS' MARKET and thank a farmer!

COLOUR A PICTURE OF WHAT CANADA MEANS TO YOU.

We can’t wait to join our fellow citizens next year as we look to resume Canada Day In The Park and continue the good work of Rotary.

National Indigenous Peoples Day

With thanks to Crista Renner for sharing this information

Today, June 21st, 2021 is the 25th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day. It was a day created to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritages, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

There are more than 630 First Nation communities in Canada, which represent more than 50 Nations and 50 Indigenous languages.

Many Inuit in Canada live in about 51 communities across the northern regions, in Inuit Nunangat, which means "the place where Inuit live."

Métis are a culturally distinct nation of people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. Almost 600,000 people in Canada identify as Métis, and they represent approximately 35 percent of the total Indigenous population and 1.5% of the Canadian population.

After the discovery of 215 children in unmarked graves in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation (and numerous sites since then), the regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, Terry Teegee, is calling for a day of mourning and quiet contemplation.

Please consider exploring these child-friendly resources with your family, check out Moccasin Identifier or support the Save the Evidence Campaign with a virtual tour of a residential school.

Rotary Duck Race 2021 - still time to win

Help make this a fabulous fundraiser for a good cause! Get your tickets now.

Guelph's famous annual Rotary Duck Race is virtual again in 2021 due to COVID-19. Tickets are still on sale HERE at GotDuck.ca.

The GRAND PRIZE DRAW on July 1 is $500 per month for a year in food from Zehr's! (Worth $6,000!)

Net proceeds from the Duck Race will support the Rotary-inspired FOOD4KIDS GUELPH charity to help feed local children in severely food-insecure families.

Watch this SHORT VIDEO about this year's Duck Race and how it will help Food4Kids.

And read here about how three generations of the Van Dam family from the Rotary Guelph Wellington Club are supporting the Duck Race. It's a great story reported by Guelph Today.

The Rotary Club of Guelph-Wellington has organized the Guelph Duck Race since 1988, making it a fixture on the Speed River every Canada Day. Since 2007, it has been supported by Guelph's The Letter M Marketing and Rotary is grateful for their fantastic community support!

Celebration of Life - Jean Truex

June 18, 2021

Jean Truex passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021. A Celebration of Life was held online on June 17, 2021, with Jean fondly remembered by family, friends and colleagues. It was utterly inspiring to hear about her remarkable life and contributions that made the world a better place. Here is a recording from the wonderful program. https://youtu.be/9OOes4TIX6o

Also read about Jean in this previous article here. 18 remarkable years of the 1*2*3 GO! program

https://rotaryguelph.ca/Stories/18-remarkable-years-of-the-1-2-3-go-program

Supporting Shelldale's Family Fun-Raiser

June 15, 2021

Our club is delighted to be a Gold Sponsor of this month-long Family Fun-Raiser to engage family and friends.

The Shelldale Family Gateway community is challenging neighbouring communities right across Guelph to get involved and make it a fun, unique, exciting and physically active time for all!

Go to shelldale.ca for details and to register.

Congratulations to this great Rotarian

June 14, 2021

As reported in Guelph Today.

Upper Grand School Board's Martha Rogers receives provincial award

Award honours an active or retired member of the teaching profession for outstanding contribution to education in Ontario

Read the article here.

We could not be prouder of Martha who has been a member of our Rotary Club for 32 years.

Remembering Jim Stevens (1930-2021)

June 14, 2021

Jim Stevens quietly passed away at home on Friday, June 11, 2021 in his 91st year. We are remembering what a great person, great scientist, great educator, great friend and great Rotarian Jim was; 43 years in Rotary, including serving as president of our Rotary club in 1998-99.

For those who don't know Jim from earlier years, read about him here. He made the world a better place. We send our heartfelt condolences to Jim's wife Karin and their extended families.

If you would like to attend the virtual service for Jim, it will held on June 25th at 2pm. Go to gilchristchapel.com, click on obituaries, then on Jim’s name and then click on https://www.oneroomstreaming@com/login

Jim's detailed obituary follows below.

$1 million in funding to support youth mental health

June 1, 2021

Reporting from Kitchener CTV News

The Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington has received more than $1 million in funding from the provincial government and Wellington County to support youth mental health.

The funding will go toward strengthening the Integrated Youth Services Network (IYSN) and allow the network to expand its operating capabilities.

The IYSN is a collaborative project with the aim of providing youth aged 12 to 26 with the support they need. More than 30 different organizations are part of the network, which is aiming to expand to have seven sites across Wellington County, Erin, Palmerston, Fergus and Guelph.

Rotary grieves with Muslims

June 8, 2021

Rotary expresses its heartfelt condolences to Muslim communities everywhere in the wake of the deadly attack hit-and-run attack on an innocent family, in London Ontario on Sunday evening, June 6, 2021. Words fail us.

Our friends at the Muslim Society of Guelph are planting a memorial garden to remember the London family, and also in support of all other victims of Islamaphobia. They welcome the donation of plants. Donations are also welcome for the MSOG's Antiracism Resource Fund to help combat racism and Islamophobia and maintain the memorial garden.

Speaking on behalf of our Rotary Club's Peace Building Committee, our member Nisha Chandran said this:

Another successful Virtual Paint Night

June 8, 2021

Rotary organizer Gisella Gazzola and artist Ben McCarl ran their sixth Virtual Paint Night session on Sunday, June 6. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all the participants, who collectively donated $350 to Food4Kids Guelph, helping to feed a child for almost half a year through this Rotary-inspired charity.

Guelph's Rotary Forest Video a Global Winner

June 5, 2021 - World Environment Day

The Rotary Club of Guelph is proud to be recognized as "a top seven global winner" in Rotary International's video challenge #IFixThePlanet, a contest organized by #ESRAG ... the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group. The contest was organized to promote Rotary International's adoption of its seventh Area of Focus for international work, Supporting the Environment.

The announcement of contest winners came on World Environment Day, the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.

Our 70-second video entry about the Rotary Forest project at Guelph Lake was created and submitted by our talented past-president, Carolyn Weatherson, back in February 2021. The video is titled “Trees, Trails, a Nature Centre, Observatory and Planetarium!” and can be watched here. Worldwide voting was invited on the many video entries submitted from all over the world. Each top seven prize includes a certificate plus a special congratulation from Rotary International's president, Holger Knaack.

Many Rotarians have supported this project over the years, together with the Grand River Conservation Authority. The project to return a former 100-acre farm back into a forest near Guelph Lake was originally envisioned by our late club member, Dr. Clare Rennie, whose memory is still near and dear.

In Memory of the 215 Lost Children

June 4, 2021

We would like to extend deep condolences and sympathies to the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation on the discovery of 215 children on the site of a former residential school in Kamloops British Columbia.

The discovery of these children is a powerful yet painful reminder of our history. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission research indicates that at least 3,213 children are reported to have died over 140 years of operation at over 150 Residential School locations.

No words can describe the scale of pain and trauma that Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) have suffered as a result of Canada’s Residential School system and continue to suffer from systemic racism.

May we all keep this part of our history as a reminder and a beacon in front of us as we work with our Rotary ideals to bring peace and equality to all.

June is National Indigenous History Month, we ask that you support this national time of mourning to honour these children. HIP (Honouring Indigenous People) is asking everyone to wear orange. Let’s walk together and show our support.

PLEASE READ THIS BOOKLET ABOUT THE INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SYSTEM.

New Member: Welcome Jacqueline Gray

May 28, 2021

Jacqueline's smiling face has become familiar to us as a guest in recent weeks, and we couldn't be more delighted that she has decided to join our club as a member.

Introduced today by Tim Mau, he said, "Jacqueline is a longstanding Guelph resident, having moved here from Toronto in 1977. She worked for ten years as a legal researcher for a corporate law firm in Toronto, has worked as a school librarian and occasional teacher in our school district, and is particularly drawn to support students who are medically fragile or challenged by disabilities. When she's not teaching or working at Shopper's Drugmart, she enjoys hiking, reading and hanging out with her adult daughter, Samantha."

Jacqueline, we are really looking forward to getting to know you better. Welcome to the Rotary Club of Guelph!

New Member: Welcome Chidi Nwene

May 28, 2021

We are absolutely delighted to welcome Chidi as a new member of our club. He is president at the African Canadian Initiative, and also volunteers in a wide range of activities. He is best described as a Social Justice Advocate and Community Organizer.

Chidi's extensive on-the-ground experience has developed a strong sense of justice for both local and global communities, and will enrich our club and our ability to deliver Service Above Self, something that is already exemplified in Chidi's life.

In his own words, "Rotary Club is where great people do greater things, in order to achieve the greatest impact in our communities."

Welcome, Chidi!

Mystery Car Rally in support of "Sunrise" - NEW DATE

May 27, 2021

NEWS FLASH! THIS EVENT WILL NOW TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2021

Here's a wonderful fall activity to have fun while doing good and helping the Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre in Puslinch, Ontario. This "Mystery Car Rally" has been postponed to Sunday, October 3, 2021 - details to follow. Email fiona@sunrise-therapeutic.ca or call 519-837-0558 ext 35.

Another Rotary Paint Night "Summer Sunrise"

May 21, 2021

Back by popular demand is our seventh virtual Rotary Paint Night, on Sunday evening, June 6, 2021 from 6pm to 8pm on zoom.

Join Rotarian and artist Ben McCarl as he guides online participants step by step to paint this Summer Sunrise. Rotary’s virtual paint nights are open to everyone, all skill levels are welcome and free to attend.

This month's paint night is in support of Food4Kids Guelph, a charity dedicated to closing the gap for families experiencing food insecurity. With your help, Food4Kids can continue providing grocery gift cards to families in need.

This is a "pay what you can" event. Participants can register and/or donate by following the link below. A charitable receipt will be issued to those who donate.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/rotary-club-of-guelph/events/rotary-paint-nigh-summer-sunset/

New member: Welcome Dave Iacocca

May 19, 2021

The Rotary Club of Guelph welcomes Dave Iacocca as its newest member.

Dave says, "Throughout my career, I have had a passion for helping people, organizations and communities understand the benefits of using sustainable and innovative technology solutions. I believe strongly that you can do good and do well. As an experienced business development professional I have worked to deliver products and services to the B2B North American marketplace."

Currently, Dave is Director Of Sales, Parcel Services at Metroland Media Group (TorStar).

India and COVID ... Rotary Oxygen Concentrator Initiative

A struggle for oxygen - Delhi oxygen crisis deepens as more patients die.

After consultation with the Chair of the India Rotary COVID Task Force, the most urgent need is for portable Oxygen Concentrators. Rotary is uniquely positioned to help through its strong presence and vast network of Rotary clubs across India.

Rotary Districts and Clubs in Zone 28 and 32 are joining together for an urgent initiative to establish ROTARY OXYGEN BANKS.

The Rotary Oxygen Bank would loan an Oxygen Concentrator to a patient in need, with the provision that after the immediate crisis is over, the concerned person would return the concentrator to the Oxygen Bank. Such a bank would be of help to a large number of people over a period of time. These units are portable and will save many lives in the coming weeks and months.

Donations are urgently needed by May 24, 2021. Any amount is welcome: Time is of the essence.

This is perhaps the worst humanitarian crisis in India in modern times and our fellow Rotarians need our help in action and in spirit.

Rotary Duck Race 2021 - tickets on sale now!

Guelph's famous annual Rotary Duck Race is virtual again in 2021 due to COVID-19, but it's happening! Tickets are on sale HERE at GotDuck.ca.

This year's Duck Race is themed around food, with fabulous prizes:

Three EARLY BIRD DRAWS each offer valuable vouchers to local restaurants.

May 18 Draw: $250 for Artisanale, and $250 for La Cucina
June 1 Draw: $250 for Manhattans, and $250 for The Fat Duck Gastro Pub
June 15 Draw: $250 for Jesse's on the Green, and $250 for Charcoal Group

The GRAND PRIZE DRAW on Canada Day is $500 per month for a year in food from Zehr's!

Net proceeds from the Duck Race will support the Rotary-inspired FOOD4KIDS GUELPH charity to help feed local children in severely food-insecure families.

Watch this SHORT VIDEO about this year's Duck Race and how it will help Food4Kids!

Help make this a fabulous fundraiser for a good cause! Get your tickets now.

Next session of "Finding the balance during Covid-19"

April 28, 2021

The next (11th) webinar will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 7pm to 8:15pm.

Rotary Forest Tree Planting

Posted by Carolyn Weatherson on Apr 21, 2021

Watch this SHORT VIDEO about the Rotary Forest at Guelph Lake

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the final Rotary Forest Tree-Planting Event is being postponed until spring 2022.
We look forward to planting again with you when it is safe to do so.
Thank you all for your years of support and dedication to the environment.

Click Here to Donate to the Rotary Forest Project and Help us Plant Trees
(Under "Fund" Click on arrow and scroll down until you see 2021 Rotary Forest)

For 14 years, the Rotary Club of Guelph, in partnership with the GRCA, have been organizing an Earth Day event to plant trees in the Rotary Forest.
Along with hundreds of environmentally conscious volunteers from the Guelph community, we have almost completed planting 60,000 trees in this magnificent 100-acre forest to clean our air and water.
The Rotary Forest now has a trail running through it for all to enjoy.

We can't get together this year to plant, but we have hired contractors to do a non-linear planting of red pine and red oak this year.
Each year we have planted a variety of indigenous species with special groves, lookout points and sitting areas.

Get out and enjoy it.
A walk in nature is not only good for your physical health, but it's excellent for your mental health as well.

We look forward to our final planting and celebration next year in 2022 with all of you!

Photo of the Rotary Forest by Greg Meridith

Mahmud Hassain

I am humbled and very proud to serve as the Rotary Club of Guelph’s 102^nd president for 2021-2022. I come to the task highly invigorated but also needing support. I know I will make some mistakes … but never for the wrong reasons!

When I came to Canada in 1986 as a young student from Libya (having grown up in the area around Leptis Magna, a world heritage site), it was on a study scholarship that fired my spirit of global adventure. Imagine the shock of leaving my hot Mediterranean North Africa climate and adjusting to the weather of Winnipeg, Manitoba, one of Canada’s coldest urban centres! But between the frigid temperatures and the amazing northern lights, what I found was truly warm and inspirational friendships, freedoms and opportunities that have kept me in this country and today make me a truly proud Canadian, keen to play my part in giving back and making the future better for all.

After my life-path brought me from Winnipeg to Guelph in 1999, I was lucky enough to meet Carolyn Weatherson (past president of our club 2019-2020). We met through volunteering at the same event, struck up a conversation and friendship, discovering that despite our many differences, we shared very similar values, which led her to invite me to Rotary eight years ago. The rest is history that is still in the making.

I share this because my story describes what Rotary is all about. Coming together as Strangers, and working together as Friends, based on Shared Values.

My main focus as club president this year will be promoting and creating conditions for PEACE, through SERVICE. Our club has even created a new Peace Building Committee to help with this focus. We are declaring peace on the world!! I also want to promote the amazing work of Rotary so that more people decide to join our efforts.

The COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020 has been a huge disruption, but our club found new ways of coping and succeeding. I am looking forward to when we can all meet in person again. Handshakes (or elbow bumps?) will be much more appreciated.

I hope that when we all look back on this Rotary year 2021-2022, we will remember our friendships, the lives we made better, and the legacies we created … together.

Peace!!

__________