Rotary Club of Guelph offsite meeting at KidsAbility
 
On Friday, May 24, 2019, our Rotary Club held its weekly meeting offsite at the new KidsAbility Guelph hub on Imperial Road. The purpose was to provide our members with an update on KidsAbility, and the opportunity to tour their new hub which was opened in 2018, allowing KidsAbility to bring their various services under one roof, in a space designed for their specific needs.  It was a fabulous visit for us!  Read more about their Guelph hub here
 
After brief welcomes by Linda Kenny, CEO of KidsAbility, and Lisa Talbot, Executive Director of the KidsAbility Foundation, the key presentation was by Erin, mother of six year old Walter, this year's KidsAbility Ambassador.
 
Erin explained how KidsAbility had come into her family's life around the time Walter turned one and was failing to reach normal milestones in his development.  She gives credit to KidsAbility for helping Walter to reach his sixth birthday. He has Leigh's Syndrome, a severe and fatal neurological disorder. Walter stood by patiently while his mum spoke, sporting a fancy hairstyle for Crazy Hair Day at school!
 
Read more about Walter's story here.
 
President Paul Dredge presented our Rotary Club's cheque for $4,000 to KidsAbility. Young Walter seems a bit unsure about the big guy standing alongside his mum! Also in the picture are Lisa Talbot, Linda Kenny, and Walter's sisters.
 
Rotary has supported KidsAbility from its very start back in 1957, and continues to be a major supporter throughout Waterloo Region and Wellington County. KidsAbility extends their huge thanks to Rotary in this short video which can be viewed here. Please watch it!
 
We are very grateful to KidsAbility for their remarkable help given to children and families needing specialized support in our communities. We also thank them for hosting our club's offsite meeting.  It was great! 
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