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TOWARDS TRUTH - Indigenous Awareness events in Guelph

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

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.

Read on for program details below, or download the program details here.

Free tickets can be reserved here.

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

Prima Festa Reimagined

April 8, 2021

WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO!

Hey #Guelph! Rotary is bringing back an oldie but a goodie from the 70s while supporting our friends from @ICCGuelph and supporting local community groups. #supportlocal

Back after a 30-year hiatus is a re-imagined version of Prima Festa May 1, 2021 as it returns to Rotary’s list of special events with COVID-19 style. Guests are requested to pick up their delicious Italian meals at the Italian Canadian Club in a “take out - eat in” at home mode. Pickup instructions will be sent to registrants several days prior to the event. Each Prima Festa Dinner ticket is $75 with a tax receipt in the amount of $40.

DRIVE-BY DINNER IN A BAG - MAY 1, 2021

Order online here no later than April 27

Hike for Hospice Wellington

April 17, 2021

Our wonderful Hospice Wellington invites the community to participate in their 17th Annual Hike for Hospice. Although virtual again this year, Hospice Wellington is committed to making this campaign as much fun as possible for family and friends, many of whom join to celebrate a loved one. This year's event will conclude on June 6, 2021.

Our Rotary Club of Guelph president Tracey Curtis is forming a Rotary team to participate. Email Tracey here to join the team.

The Seed - Grocery shopping with a purpose

April 17, 2021

The Seed is a Do-It-Together Food Movement in Guelph-Wellington, working towards a connected community where everyone has access to healthy food. The Seed is a proud project of the Guelph Community Health Centre. Read more about the many remarkable programs offered by The Seed here.

Special Edition of Finding the Balance During #COVID19

With dire Covid-19 warnings and community anxiety running at a high level, the team has urgently scheduled a 10th webinar for next week, Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 7pm.

Helen Fishburn Huck and Anne-Marie Zajdlik will be joined by Dr. Nicola Mercer, our district medical officer of public health, to answer your questions about what the third wave of the pandemic means for our communities. As before, the session will be moderated by Marva Wisdom.

Environment Clean Up

April 13, 2021

Every year on April 22, "Earth Day" brings a special focus to environmental concerns. Many local events usually take place around the time of Earth Day, but this year's Covid-19 lockdown is either postponing or modifying things. Read more details below.

Rotary Forest Final Planting Day with public help - postponed to April 2022. Read about Guelph's amazing Rotary Forest project here.

The City of Guelph's Clean and Green Cleanup is STILL HAPPENING this year, but is modified. Check details here.

The Rotary Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup is postponed from April 17-24 to June 2021. Details to come.

Remembering Jean Truex

April 11, 2021

With profound sadness, we learned that Jean Truex passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021. The entire Rotary family sends its deepest condolences to Paul and the Truex family. A Celebration of Life service will be held on June 17, 2021.

July 31, 2020

18 remarkable years of the 1*2*3 GO! program

Today our club paid warm tribute to Jean Truex, wife of our club member Paul Truex, for her 18 years of dedicated service in creating and running the Rotary-supported pre-school and early literacy program in Guelph called 1*2*3 GO!

Brian Martin, chair of our club's Literacy & Numeracy Committee reported that the 1*2*3 GO! program would not be resuming when schools reopen next September because the program's operating space at the Tytler Public School is no longer available due to renovations.

THANK YOU, Jean, on behalf of the hundreds of children whose lives you have improved.

Rotary District 7080 Virtual Conference

April 12, 2021

Calling all Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors from around the District!

On Saturday, May 29th, 2021, the Rotary District 7080 Conference is going virtual. We welcome you to join us for a packed morning of guest speakers, breakout sessions, and fellowship, surrounded by this year’s theme of “Take care of self, each other, and the planet”.

Tune in from 9am - 12:30pm for fascinating and inspiring discussions about our theme with:

District Governor Dr. Michael Lawrie
Guest speakers Valarie Wafer (RI Vice President 2021-2022)
Ian Riseley (Rotary International Past President 2017-2018),
Entertaining keynote speaker Boris Cherniak (motivational hypnotist, comedian, speaker, and author)

Registration is now open and will remain open until May 26th. REGISTER HERE.

New member: Welcome Raechelle Devereaux

The Rotary Club of Guelph is delighted to welcome Raechelle Devereaux as its newest member.

Raechelle is the CEO of the Guelph Community Health Centre where she has worked for the past 12 years, following several years working in child welfare.

The Guelph CHC is an extraordinary asset in our community. It is committed to working with and meeting the needs of people who may find it hard to access health care.

Through Raechelle, we look forward to learning more about community needs and solutions, and how Rotary can help.

Raechelle's Twitter account @RaechelleDev describes her in a nutshell: Executive Director at the Guelph CHC. Health-barrier-buster. Believer that there is always a better way. Like us, Raechelle believes in the power of the collective, and she looks forward to working more closely with Rotary.

Welcome, Raechelle!

A Virtual Culinary Evening in support of KidsAbility

April 10, 2021

Our friends at KidsAbility invite you to join a fun and interactive three course gourmet cooking class in the comfort of your own home on Wednesday, April 21 from 5pm to 7:30pm. Any ability can join, no cook is left behind! Registration includes a donation to KidsAbility, plus receiving all the cooking ingredients and online instruction from experts.

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES ON MONDAY, APRIL 12 AT 12 NOON! DETAILS BELOW

Well-known chefs Jody and Kirstie from The Culinary Studio in Waterloo Create will guide participants to create this delicious meal from scratch.

Mother's Day Fundraiser helping Food4Kids Guelph

April 8, 2021

Food4Kids Guelph is excited that Royal City Nursery is offering a generous donation to the charity from the sale of beautiful hanging baskets in time for Mother's Day on May 9, 2021.

What a great way to recognize and thank the Moms in your family, while also helping local children in need, and supporting a precious local business!

Quantities are limited so order soon. Orders can be picked up from the Royal City Nursery parking lot on May 6th and 7th, in a safe COVID-19 style with Food4Kids volunteers bringing items right to your car.

Click here to order.

Next webinar "Finding the balance during Covid-19"

On April 6, 2021 at 7pm, join

Dr. Anne-Marie Zadjlik, primary care physician and
Helen Fishburn, Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington, with
special guest Dr. Nicola Mercer, the GWD public health unit's medical officer of health,

as they talk about finding the physical and mental health balance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds raised support Bracelet of Hope and other local charities.

Here is the link to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_J9N1Dr9NSM2a4m8QOACaTQ

The Rotary Foundation (TRF), your donations and your PHF points

March 27, 2021

There are three common acronyms at Rotary that are important to know:

RI - Rotary International
TRF - The Rotary Foundation (of RI)
PHF - Paul Harris Fellow

Read on to learn more, also about an Honourary PHF, and how donors can track their overall donations online.

New member: Welcome Dave Menegotto

March 26, 2021

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

Professionally, Dave has worked at Sutherland Insurance for the past 18 years where he is an accounts manager. In the community, Dave is a fan of the Guelph Storm, the Blue Jays, and he is a volunteer with the Stanley Stick Hockey Association in Guelph, an organization for youth that allows everyone to play and encourages a lifelong love for sports.

We warmly welcome you and your family to our club, Dave!

Another Rotary Paint Night Success

March 21, 2021

Once again, a happy crew of artists followed Ben McCarl's step-by-step instructions for another virtual paint night on Sunday evening on March 21. The subject this time was a sweet giraffe dreaming of spring. And what beautiful creations were produced! Well done, everyone. And thank you, Ben.

Have some laughs, and do some good

March 19, 2021

This hour-long online fundraiser is taking place on Saturday, April 10, 8.00 pm and tickets are $50 per household, including a $25 tax receipt. The funds raised will be used to support local charities and projects in the Guelph Wellington community through the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium Foundation.

You can purchase tickets at https://bit.ly/3vrlNo7

Mystery Car Rally in support of "Sunrise"

March 20, 2021

Here's a wonderful spring activity for your Covid "bubble" to have fun while doing good and helping the Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre in Puslinch, Ontario. This "Mystery Car Rally" on Sunday, May 16 is limited to 40 cars, so be quick to register if you'd like to participate! Email fiona@sunrise-therapeutic.ca or call 519-837-0558 ext 35.

International Women's Day 2021

March 8, 2021 - UPDATE

To women everywhere - our thoughts are with you today on International Women's Day, March 8. IWD is an annual event recognized by the United Nations, for the 110th year in 2021. Here's a good summary to learn more (including an answer to the question - is there an International Men's Day?)

Join us at Guelph Wellington's event today honouring four additional Women of Distinction in our community.

February 27, 2021

This year's Guelph Y "Women of Distinction" recognition is a scaled back event but going ahead for the 25th year, in a new partnership with Innovation Guelph for a fabulous International Women's Day celebration on March 8, 2021.

We could not be more proud of these Rotarians from our club who will be honoured during the virtual celebration.

Cyndy Moffat Forsyth (Member RCOG)
Dr. Anne-Marie Zadjlik (Member RCOG)
Charlotte A.B. Yates (Hon. Member RCOG)

Get your tickets here for $29 and receive access to the online marketplace of female entrepreneurs and a fabulous celebration of women in our community!

Click here to order

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!!

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