"Service above Self" - it is what we stand for - and it is what we like to recognize in those in Norfolk County who are so important to their community.
So it was that both local clubs, the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) and the Rotary Club of Simcoe (RCS), gathered together on 24 October at the Lighthouse Theatre to recognize four such selfless citizens in our midst.
Following a social gathering supported by an excellent buffet, the 125 attendees proceeded to the theatre to enjoy the proceedings. Master of Ceremonies, Rotarian Keith Jones noted the presence of many local Community and Rotary leaders and then provided the Rotary International context for its Foundation work and the Paul Harris Fellowship recognition. Four representative community leaders were then introduced and so-recognized by District 7090 Governor David Alexander;
- on behalf of the RCS, George Araujo introduced Ron Cripps;
- on behalf of the RCNS, Ross Gowan introduced Virginia Lucas;
- on behalf of the RCS, Andy Elkin introduced Hadley Jackson; and
- on behalf of the RCNS, Fr Augustine introduced Deacon Gerard Van Schyndel.
Details of each of our four honourees may be found at the 'Read more ...' below.
In any given year, Rotary Clubs engage in a continuing process by which community volunteerism and impact is recognized through Paul Harris Fellowship awards. These four citizens inducted as Paul Harris Fellows are indeed representative of a very much larger group of selfless volunteers in our community; volunteers without which our County would be a shadow of itself. As a consequence, the RCNS and the RCS are proud to recognize this service in our community - each one of these new Paul Harris Fellows certainly exemplifies the Rotary International motto of 'Service above Self'
Our Rotary Honourees
Ron Cripps’ passion has been the Norfolk County Fair. As a long serving director of both the Fair Board and Fair Foundation, Ron has chaired numerous committees including the very successful Fallfeast.A consummate volunteer for over 30 years, he has been consistently the top ticket seller for the truck draws and fundraising dinners. He has been honoured with the Distinguished Service Award by the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions and granted an Honorary Life Member by the Fair Foundation.
Ron has also been a star volunteer at Norfolk General Hospital since 2007, accumulating over 2600 volunteer hours. He has chaired the Simcoe volunteer branch, supported the lottery, manned the information desk, been convenor for the treasure mart, tag day helper and participated in the Diabetes Education Support program.
Ron was recognized with the Outstanding Service Award in 2011 and made a life Member in 2017.
Virginia Lucas is highly regarded in Simcoe as a Community Developer through her work with Church Out Serving. She is Executive Vice-Chair of the Board, their highly successful grant writer, and part of their financial team.
Virginia has played a key role in launching several of Church Out Serving’s poverty related programs, including the We Believe in Simcoe event, their Laundry Matters downtown laundromat, their Community Food Services including the community gardens, Covid Food Hampers, the Ice Box (frozen meals), and the new Mobile Food Delivery pilot.
Virginia was actively engaged through the development, construction and launch of Riversyde 83, and continues to provide leadership there daily.
She was key in the development of the "Home For The Night" out-of-the-cold shelter for the homeless and directs operations and other year-round support for our homeless demographic.
Hadley Jackson has been an active volunteer in Norfolk County for over half a century.In 1980, he joined the Board of Directors of the newly established Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover and served on that board for over four decades.
Hadley is also a well-known sailor and an enthusiastic volunteer with the Port Dover Yacht Club Sailing School since its inception over 16 years ago, providing hundreds of youths and adults an opportunity to learn to sail.
To promote sailboat racing, Hadley works with Port Dover Yacht Club (where he is a Past Commodore) to host U.S. and Canadian racing boats participating in the annual Lake Erie Interclub Cruise.
Hadley has been a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Simcoe and contributes to the success of its many fund-raising efforts, particularly with his organization of the club’s popular Holiday House Tour.
Deacon Gerard Van Schyndel has served the community through the Knight’s of Columbus council in Simcoe and in particular with the Saint Vincent de Paul Community Kitchen as Co-ordinator since 2013. During the Pandemic, Gerard created a system to feed over 100 people daily, offering a hot meal and companionship.Gerard was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of London in 2015 and has been active in ministry at the Catholic Family of Parishes in Norfolk ever since while also continuing his volunteer ministry with the Community Kitchen.
Gerard has been involved with the Norfolk Refugee Committee since 2015, which has welcomed and successfully integrated four Syrian families into the Norfolk area. He is continuing this work by supporting those who are assisting the recent Ukrainian refugees coming into our area.
Our Gratitude for those Who Made this PossibleOur Clubs appreciate the Lighthouse Theatre for the venue provided.
It was a perfect setting for this gala event.
We are grateful for our Presenting Sponsor RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities; Paul Belous/Jason Mychajluk; The Belous Private Wealth Management Group.
As we are accustomed to receiving, our caterer Tracy Winkworth and her team laid out a fantastic buffet to fill us up before the big show.
Well done Tracy - we are so grateful for your continuing and excellent support.
- Jim Simpson