Happy Holidays to you ALL - the season of snow, roaring fires, and festive fun is upon us!
In the past month of whirlwind club visits I witnessed first hand even more amazing work of our Rotary District 5040 family as we make our communities and world a more joyous place for all. It was so lovely to have District Executive Administrator Nancy Eidsvik with me for many of these adventures.
On Bowen Island we saw the most beautiful outdoor learning space and gardens the club has helped the community build. Dragon Club produced a brilliant video as an inspirational way to remind our communities and potential members of "why Rotary!" You can view the video on the District's home page.
Winter coats and boots for kids, a valley trail viewing platform, an off leash dog park, seniors’ outdoor fitness stations, lower income family kids sponsored for summer camp, young musicians to participate in a youth orchestra are the kinds of projects made possible with proceeds from a Rotary fundraising event.
Members of Rotary District 5040 -- the 48 Rotary clubs from Vancouver up the coast to Prince Rupert -- many throughout the Lower Mainland raised net proceeds of $29,000 at a dinner on November 18, 2023. The funds will all go to the The Rotary Foundation, among the highest ranked international foundations over the past 15 years.
Ambassador of the Philippines Her Excellency Maria Andrelita Austria receives a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award in Ottawa from Rotary District 5040 Governor Shirley-Pat Chamberlain and Assistant Governor Mary Anne Velayo. Paul Harris Fellow Award honourees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International for extraordinary service above self.
After the wildfire which destroyed the Town of Lytton in July 2021, including its commercial district and 70 homes, Rotary Club of Steveston organized a relief fund for that community through its foundation. Donations came from that club, a number of other clubs and individuals in this Rotary District and across Canada. Three members of the Siska Indian Band, in the Lytton area, visited the Steveston club on November 14th to thank the club and all those who contributed to the relief fund.
Donations can still be made to the Ukraine and Pakistan Disaster Response Funds until December 31st. These funds must be spent by June 30th, 2024. As District Foundation Chair PDG Lorne Calder says, "Warm clothing, medical equipment coming through a Rotary World Help container from our District and area soon, school supplies and basic needs are needed more than ever."
In the tourism paradise of Bali, Indonesia and surrounding islands there is a lot of poverty and hardship. Children with cleft lip and palate live deprived of normal lives and struggle with impaired speech. Many of these children are hidden by their families, not allowed to go to school or participate in community activities. Because they are not able to eat and drink properly unless helped undernourishment as children leads to health issues. Rotary Club of Vancouver has participated in two Global Grants from The Rotary Foundation to provide surgery for the many affected children.
The Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra is a professional orchestral preparation program for young musicians. Rotary Club of Vancouver Centennial, with a District Grant from The Rotary Foundation, has funded a music scholarship and bursary program to support some youth to attend Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra.
The Rotary Peace Garden project, which Rotary International President 2022-23 Jennifer Jones launched at Garden City Park in Richmond last year is one of the causes supported by the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunset's 22nd Annual Winter Wonderland at Richmond City Hall on display throughout December. Proceeds from the project, launched on December 2nd, are expected to reach $50,000 or more and will support Rotary sponsored Interact clubs at Hugh Boyd and Steveston-London Secondary schools, scholarships at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Richmond Christmas Fund and The Rotary Foundation, plus an endowment fund which focuses on one of Rotary's seven Areas of Focus, maternal and child health.
In the tourism paradise of Bali, Indonesia and surrounding islands there is a lot of poverty and hardship. Children with cleft lip and palate live deprived of normal lives and struggle with impaired speech. Many of these children are hidden by their families, not allowed to go to school or participate in community activities. Because they are not able to eat and drink properly unless helped undernourishment as children leads to health issues. Rotary Club of Vancouver has participated in two Global Grants from The Rotary Foundation to provide surgery for the many affected children.
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