Welcome to 2021 and thanks for hanging in! I and the District Governor Chain - Anne, Lisa, and Scott are impressed with the good work being done by fellow Rotarians/Rotaractors and their Clubs.
Much planning has been done under the leadership of Lisa and PDG Melisa Schrock and their Team on the District Conference, which is highlighted in Lisa’s Report. They have a great line-up of speakers and even though this will be another Zoom virtual event it is going to be a phenomenal and FREE event held over two evenings and a Saturday morning 16th, 18th and 20th March. PLEASE book this into your calendars now.
Anne has a great message this month, which among other things recommends that clubs collaborate with neighbouring clubs and get out and do a service project. She mentions the Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup and Blood Donor Clinics as examples. Please start to plan for a waterway in your club’s vicinity that you can clean up and look to partner with another club, with a Rotaract or Interact Club, a Church, Conservation Authority, Parks Department, etc. There is much more information in the article by Lisa and myself. Feel free to reach out to either one of us for information, ideas, or suggestions. So pick a day(s) between Saturday, April 17th, and Saturday, April 24th to do your bit along with thousands of volunteers from both countries.
It has been “a long go” as my late mother would say. Virtual this… and virtual that fill our calendars. Not quite the Rotary experience we all are used to - that is for sure.
Well if you are worried about member engagement, you are not alone. We held a fireside chat event in January with President Elects and it was a very consistent theme that emerged. How can we keep our members satisfied with their Rotary experience in these COVID times?
Well here are two ideas that your club might want to consider.
Reach out to the other clubs in your area and together pick three different service projects - one to do in February, March and May. Our club, the Rotary Club of Hamilton AM, is teaming up with the Rotary Tonic After Five club to offer “speed networking” and “mock interviews” for young adults who have struggled with securing long-lasting employment. It is something we can do on our laptops.
Governor Frank Adamson has been encouraging us to go to blood donor clinics - make it a challenge within your club to give X amount of blood. Other clubs are cleaning up laneways and highways.
Ask each club to pick one activity and ask the other clubs in the area to join you. That is time effective and as the Rotary International action plan encourages us to do - more clubs means more people doing good which means more impact! Ask your Assistant Governor to help you to collaborate with other clubs if you are not sure where to start. We at the district want to help you collaborate more with each other.
This year the annual District 7090 Conference is ALL VIRTUAL to comply with current Public Health and Government COVID Safety Protocols and orders.
Offering “Rotary World” speakers, an International Project Fair, and Literacy Service Experience, all from the comfort and safety of your home in four separate programs. Don’t worry, if you can’t make one session, it will be recorded for future viewing.
Registration opens on the website: February 5, 2021.
The cost is FREE. Pre-registration is required.
⭐️ Monday, March 15 (7 to 9 PM): Conference Week Kick-Off and Virtual Happy Hour Social
Please join us as we Kick-Off Conference Week, laying out the programs for the week, celebrating District accomplishments and...
Showcasing the Little Lending Libraries (LLL) Challenge
Marking the culmination of the LLL Challenge, Rotary clubs throughout the District will virtually showcase and celebrate the results of their labors.
From the get-go, DG Frank has urged clubs to find ways to increase Rotary’s presence in their communities. As one way to do this, he offered his Little Lending Libraries (LLL) Challenge. This involves each club investing a few dollars and some sweat equity to build and decorate at least one Rotary-branded little library for installation in its community. LLL's are weather-proof structures that make a small collection of books available 24/7 to children and families. Take a book, leave a book, and spread the word that literacy is important for all.
Pictured left is the Little Lending Library designed by Rotarian Scott Marcin & built by the Rotary Club of Amherst South Rotarians and friends.
Literacy Service Experience & District Literacy Chair: Rotarian Margaret Andrewes
⭐ ️Tuesday, March 16 (7 to 9PM): “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)”(evening)
Key Note Speaker: RIPN Jennifer Jones: nominated as the first woman named President Nominee to serve as RI President in 2022-23.
On behalf of the Rotary Annual Fund yearly campaign, I want to thank the 23 clubs that have stepped up and given even more to the annual fund this year. You have taken Governor Frank’s suggestion to use some of your club meal fees and direct them to the Annual Fund. Unfortunately, there are 28 clubs that are under giving to date to the Annual Fund, and the end result - we are down $22000 from last year. The result in three years - our District Designated Funds (50% of what we gave comes back to us in 3 years) will be greatly impacted leaving us with less money (DDF) to do good in the district and the world through District and Global Grants.
We want to reach our goal for this year and next. While we understand the changes in the world this year, we are still hoping you can donate any amount. Realizing that it may have gone off your radar with all that's NOT going on. Here's our reminder call for help. Our goal this year was also for EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) to donate $25 USD to the annual fund. We hope it is yours too.
ROTARY DIRECT: A SEEMLESS WAY TO DONATE TO THE ROTARY FOUNDATION:
Go to MyRotary and enroll in Rotary’s recurring giving program, Rotary Direct, which makes giving easy, fast, and secure. You can schedule a monthly, quarterly, or annual donation that empowers Rotarians to change lives in communities around the world.
Please remember many employers as well will match your gift to The Rotary Foundation. Why you may ask? Many employers know how respected The Rotary Foundation is in the world. Did you know in 2020 The Rotary Foundation received (for the 13th year in a row) the highest 4 stars from the Charity Navigator?
I have enjoyed presenting to many clubs this past year on The Rotary Foundation, I am still available on very little notice if you would like me to present to your club how the Rotary Foundation does good in the world locally and internationally.
To get a speaker for your club on why we love OUR Rotary Foundation, contact Sandi Chard at sandichard@gmail.com.
HELP WANTED
Are you still looking for a Rotary challenge? Are you a Past President of your Rotary club looking for ways to be more involved with Rotary? Have you held a leadership position in your Rotary club and have more talents to share in Rotary? Then you are just the kind of volunteer that Rotary District 7090 is looking for! Rotary District 7090 is seeking 10 volunteers to step up and take a role at the district level. Roles include chairing and sitting on district-level committees. This opportunity to volunteer will provide you with a chance to broaden your Rotary experience and obtain leadership and vocational skills. Training, coaching, and mentoring are available to help with your professional growth.
The District 7090 Rotary Centre for Coaching is looking for a volunteer to help support the coordination and administration of an exciting new program "Coaching as a New Leadership Model".
The Centre for Coaching will be launching a three-part series in April across Zones 28-32. The coordinator will be part of the coaching faculty team to support their efforts to deliver this series in April, May, and June 2021.
Thanks to the support of a District Project Grant from the Rotary Foundation, the Rotary Club of Brantford-Sunrise donated eight iPads and an iMac computer to Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre. Delivered just in time for Christmas, by Club President Glen Christensen, the iPads and computer will be put to great use by clients of the Centre, a not-for-profit organization that provides programs, opportunities, and jobs for adults living with varying developmental abilities.
On December 3, 2020, members of the Rotary Club of Brantford-Sunrise spread holiday joy by delivering 70 poinsettias to five long-term care homes in Brantford and Paris. The early Christmas surprise was thanks to the generosity of friends and members of the Rotary Club of Brantford and the Rotary Club of Brantford-Sunrise.
The Rotary Club of Ellicottville has again responded to the local needs of the community. Recently, the club made a contribution to the Alley Katz to help with their efforts to keep the Village of Ellicottville beautiful. The Alley Katz meet on Tuesday mornings to plant, weed, and clean out the many barrels and hanging baskets that keep our community so attractive.
Pictured, the Rotary Club of Ellicottville President James Salmone (right) presents a check to the Alley Katz. Pictured from left to right: Janet Parenti, Jane Hilbert. Laura Solly, Gail Grillo, Barbara Hirst, Deb Yantomasi.
The Rotary Club of Ellicottville also made a donation to support the Ellicottville Historical Society, continuing the club’s tradition of supporting our local heritage and history.
REIMAGINING AN AUCTION
The Virtual Auction this year was certainly a fun time for all that participated. Bob’s presence was obvious to all for Bob McCarthy’s 15th Annual Irish Christmas re-imagined. The auction started promptly at 7:00 PM hosted by Brooks LeFeber of Brookslefeberauctions.com with a review of the bids already made at the village businesses and online.
At a frantic pace the bids started to soar and on all accounts was just a plain fun way to conduct an auction. Current limitations did not hold back some, who made arranged friends bubble party so they could bid against each other in traditional fashion. A small group even gathered at Silver Fox Steakhouse to ensure that they did not miss out on the great wines donated by Mike & Sally and paired with a McCarthy original birdhouse donated by Edna Northrup. Incredibly, bids started to skyrocket as the auction went on. An antique Charles Dickens book “A Christmas Carol”, sold for $525.00, while Hugh Dunn’s Live Edge Table brought $650.00, a bargain at that. The Great Wooden Bow Pie Boxes created by Ed Frederickson once again were a hot item with one selling for $400.00. The Traditional Irish Whiskey Basket donated by Cynthia & Mike, sold for $500.00 to a very thirsty family.
The end of 2020 saw a flurry of activity as the Rotary Club of Grimsby welcomed the colder weather and an increased spirit of fellowship in these trying times of COVID-19.
Getting fresh air and some much-needed exercise was the idea behind the start of a walking group. Twice weekly, members of the club met up in a variety of locations in the West Niagara area and went for a one hour walk. Respecting the 2-meter social distancing guidelines and everyone always wearing masks, the walkers acquainted themselves with new neighborhoods, conservation areas, and the wonders of the Lake Ontario shoreline.
Walkers include Joan W (organizer), George W, Katherine F, Paul F, Bill H, Dave F, photo by Liz F, enjoying the picturesque sites of Grimsby Beach - an area that once hosted an amusement park, roller coaster, and quaint cabins on the lake during the first half of the 20th century.
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls was honoured to present a $3,000 donation to the GROW Community Food Literacy Centre, located in downtown Niagara Falls, Ontario. In the photo is Past President Barb Greenwood, Market Manager Michael Jodoin, and Indigenous Outreach Manager Roxanne Molyneaux.
GROW Niagara opened in 2019 and serves the downtown community who have little access to healthy, nutritious food, or fresh fruit and vegetables. This low-cost market serves people with low income, providing access to healthy and accessible food for all, using a food literacy framework that addresses the contextual factors of food insecurities. Donations are used to subsidize the price of food in the market, as it is sold below cost.
The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise recently lost an outstanding member of its Norfolk community and a truly amazing Rotarian. His life was the definition of 'Service before Self' and we will truly miss him. Rest In Peace, Keith.
Keith Flexman was known and loved by a great many people from all walks of life. Keith was a community leader, a Rotary leader, and a wonderful family man. He made a difference to everyone he met and everything he took on. He came to Norfolk as a pharmacist over 40 years ago, and immediately rolled up his sleeves and became highly involved in the community, providing leadership to move the community forward. He was one of the instigators to establish a Fanshawe College campus in Norfolk. Keith was a leader within the Rotary Club of Simcoe, and in 1996 he became the inaugural president of the exciting new Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise.
Howie Kudlats and Penny Milligan of the Rotary Club of Niagara on the Lake are staying in tip-top golf shape despite the cold and snow. The two are staying limber as co-chairs of their club's First Annual Golf Tournament to be held at Thundering Waters Country Club on August 24, 2021.
A handy hint from these two? Abandon those white balls in favour of some yellow or pink....makes those long drives in the snow much easier to spot!
An idea, with talent and drive, is a great start for a project, but at their Jan 27 Zoom meeting, the Rotary Club of Grand Island learned that Connections are what make Rotary projects unique and so successful. Dr. Jodi Porter set the stage – a tough start to life: very limited sight, upheavals in the life of a missionary family, including several months with Bishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa; administering MSF (Doctors Without Borders) projects, brought her to Ontario, its Human Rights Commission, and membership in the Rotary Club of Niagara on the Lake. Then the unique value of Connections: finding ways to actually deliver $3000 worth of ‘Plumpy’nut’ concentrated nutrition bars financed by her Rotary club, to starving, literally dying, youths of Yemen! All done thru contacts in the Canadian Yemeni community, contacts with the warring parties in Yemen thru MSF, and the impossible was done – a modest contribution by a mid-sized Canadian Rotary club, making a life-saving difference to youth in war-torn Yemen! This is the difference that Rotarians can make, and have made, in this world. Rotarians are not all unique in the way Jodi Porter is, but all Rotarians are unique in ways that can help.
It was cold and snowing in Buffalo on January 26th, but there were warm hearts at FeedMore WNY. The Rotary Club of Buffalo donated $50,000 to six area nonprofits for COVID-19 relief. Due to the extraordinary need in our community caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Rotary Club of Buffalo provided much-needed aid to six local organizations that have been challenged to provide assistance to people in need of basic food and supplies. Leaders of the 100-member club and its foundation decided that immediate aid was urgently needed due to the unprecedented circumstances and hardship created by this continuing crisis.
Checks totaling $50,000 were distributed at a January 26th media event – outdoors in the parking lot – at FeedMore WNY in Buffalo (which received $25,000). Additionally, $5,000 was donated to five other organizations, Friends of the Night People, Compass House, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, Harvest House, and Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network.
Mike Sendor, President of the Buffalo Rotary Foundation, said to the assembled recipients, Buffalo Rotarians, and press, “In 2020 we made $20,000 in donations to FeedMore of WNY and WNY Feeds the Frontline to help feed those in our community who are suffering and support the valiant frontline workers caring for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In December our members decided that we must do more for our fellow citizens in this unusual and tragic time." Our club's President-elect Susan Schwartz put it best when she said “We’ve been saving this money for a rainy day, it’s pouring outside!”
Carolyn Murray, Club President explained, “As the second wave of COVID-19 hit Western New York, our community is still reeling from the initial effects of this terrible pandemic. Small businesses, restaurants, nonprofits, and their employees are suffering financial hardships unheard of since the Great Depression. Even some of our largest local corporations are facing difficulties. With unemployment rising many people are unable to feed their families or afford necessities. And those on the margins, like the homeless, are hurting the most. The Rotary Club of Buffalo and its foundation, Buffalo Rotary Foundation, Inc., chose to donate to these six local organizations which will have an immediate impact on those in our community in need.”
The Rotary Club of Lincoln is happy to support Khazimula Children's Home once again this year with a $10,000 donation. "Khazimula" means "striving to shine". It is a home for 30 vulnerable children between the ages of 6-19 years.
Khazimula is a home for children in need of a place of safety incorporating the following programs: residential care, family reunification, educational, therapeutic, and after-care. They are a registered non-profit organization.
Creativity, generosity, commitment, results! The Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise held its first 50/50 lottery this January. The intention was to raise $5000 for the completion of the new hospice at St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas. However, the project took off and ALL 2000 tickets were sold which yielded $10,000 for the hospice and $10,000 for our lucky winner, William Knox (pictured right). Then a very generous club member, who wishes to remain anonymous, added another $5000.
The end result, the club's three-year $15,000 pledge became a total donation of $25,000! Fantastic success! The hospice, Margaret’s Place (pictured in the background left), will be a place of caring, comfort, and love. Clearly beneficial to all concerned.
At the beginning of this Rotary year, the Rotary Club of Fonthill introduced the practice of sharing a Land Acknowledgement at the start of each meeting. Having participated in an Indigenous learning session some time ago, club members felt it was important to spend some more time examining the background behind the Land Acknowledgement. As such, they invited Brain Kon, a member, and past president, of the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls Sunrise to speak. Brian is a local Metis artist and leader in the Indigenous community. His participation in the Indigenous community is broad and well respected. An advocate for reducing Indigenous homelessness and an ambassador for our local Celebration of Nations, Brian also helped on the organizing committee of the Landscape of Nations installation at Queenston. Currently an employee of the Niagara Catholic District School Board, Brian is an educator who has worked in the past to advance the lives of people with disabilities.
What do you do when you stumble across a commemorative stone (pictured left) and notice that your Rotary club’s name is on it? You ask a question of the one Rotarian who knows! After walking through the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park, Buffalo, I checked in with a well known 7090 leader – Greg Norton. He told me this story. It is a perfect story of the “power of Rotary connections”. In Greg’s words:
It all was an outgrowth of my Rotary Youth Exchange year that I spent in our sister city Kanazawa Japan in 1985-86. When Jill and I returned to Buffalo in 1994, we had been living in Houston for several years, I soon filled the role of President of the Buffalo-Kanazawa Sister City Committee (now the Buffalo Japan Society). I was suggested for the role because of my personal connection from youth exchange year.
Dr. Takako Michii (former RC of Buffalo Sunrise member) was also involved with the group. Another active member on the Sister City committee was - Dick Malo (current member RC of Buffalo Sunrise)- as his company did a lot of business with Japan.
As things progressed, we were able to rekindle the rather dormant Buffalo-Kanazawa connection and I made a trip over to Kanazawa and my Youth Exchange connection to the seven Rotary clubs there proved helpful as well. I also met with one of those clubs, the Rotary Club of Kanazawa Kohrinbo, about creating a sister club relationship with Buffalo Sunrise.
The Rotary Club of Niagara County Central annually donates dictionaries to third-grade students in the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District. A Rotarian, the late Joseph B. Emmons, began this project locally in 2006. Emmons's wife, Rotarian Marsha Emmons, proudly continues his worthwhile endeavor to bring these keepsakes of written knowledge to the students.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rotary Club of Niagara County Central fulfilled their commitment to delivering dictionaries to the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District. The students from West Street Elementary School in Mrs. Caldarelli’s 3rd-grade class are pictured left.
The Rotary Club of Waterdown sourced and installed three permanent games tables in Waterdown Memorial Park in December of 2020.
Community Service Director Garry Flood and Rotarian Sue Collins saw a company at Rotary World Conference in Toronto that was selling interactive products for playgrounds and parks. They were able to source a Canadian company whose products included games tables.
The project took two years from inception to installation but well worth the wait!
It should be noted that Waterdown's Memorial park is also the site of the Waterdown Rotary Memorial Park Skating loop - another project initiated by the Rotary Club of Waterdown. The games tables are one more addition to the park to support our vibrant community.
Pictured playing chess in the first-ever game at one of the tables Judi Partridge, (left) Hamilton City Councillor, and Garry Flood, (right) Director of Community Service for the club.
Despite having its normal in-person Fall November 2020 event canceled due to the on-going pandemic, the Fall Trivia Night Committee of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore held its first new “Virtual Trivia Night” on Saturday, January 9. Still, a fun night of 100 questions designed by the club's own in-house team of quizmasters, the full complement of 20 teams (comprising roughly 160 players) signed up - with a waiting list. The event had a maximum of 100 email address locations available on Zoom, with 98 being used, showing the diversity of locations for the players.
Cash prizes were not awarded for this online event. Instead, all players had an equal chance at a variety of door prizes determined by spinning a prize wheel with each player’s name on it.
AND THE WINNER OF THE DIGITAL TROPHY WAS “Trivia This!!”, a team playing from 7 different locations. See photo right.
While most of our players were from our regular trivia lists, the event attracted players from Vancouver, North Bay, Tillsonburg, and Grand Bend — a tribute to the far-reaching impact of the on-line version. As a sampling of comments illustrates, everyone had a great time: “What a super job you all did! A very enjoyable evening", "We had fun, great questions", “Depending on how long it will take to get back to ‘normal’, we hope you will do it again".
Figure 1. A picture of the 3 events that took place for Brock Niagara Rotaract in January. 1. Celebrating American Civil Rights leader, the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, on Monday, January 18th. 2. Inviting club members to join the District 7090 Recruitment event on Saturday, January 23rd. 3. Presenting the January theme (Lockdown Productivity) of the monthly photo contest, starting Monday, January 25th.
Three exciting events that took place for Brock Niagara Rotaract, this month, were the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday (January 18th), District 7090’s Recruitment Event (January 23rd), and the monthly photo contest (January 25th – January 31st). First, this year, as with other Brock clubs, Brock Niagara Rotaract decided to celebrate this American Civil Rights icon’s birthday to encourage unity in the community and as a reminder of where communities must continue growing when it comes to discrimination against black people (and other minorities). Next, club members were also invited to the district’s free Rotaract Recruitment Event to further learn about Rotaract. Lastly, Brock Niagara Rotaract presented January’s theme for the monthly photo contest, Lockdown Productivity, to members and non-members wanting to show their productivity this month, while under the province-wide lockdown in Ontario.
Welcome to 2021 and thanks for hanging in! I and the District Governor Chain - Anne, Lisa, and Scott are impressed with the good work being done by fellow Rotarians/Rotaractors and their Clubs. 
Governor Frank Adamson has been encouraging us to go to blood donor clinics - make it a challenge within your club to give X amount of blood. Other clubs are cleaning up laneways and highways. 
e get-go, DG Frank has urged clubs to find ways to increase Rotary’s presence in their communities. As one way to do this, he offered his Little Lending Libraries (LLL) Challenge. This involves each club investing a few dollars and some sweat equity to build and decorate at least one Rotary-branded little library for installation in its community. LLL's are weather-proof structures that make a small collection of books available 24/7 to children and families. Take a book, leave a book, and spread the word that literacy is important for all.
On behalf of the Rotary Annual Fund yearly campaign, I want to thank the 23 clubs that have stepped up and given even more to the annual fund this year. You have taken Governor Frank’s suggestion to use some of your club meal fees and direct them to the Annual Fund. Unfortunately, there are 28 clubs that are under giving to date to the Annual Fund, and the end result - we are down $22000 from last year. The result in three years - our District Designated Funds (50% of what we gave comes back to us in 3 years) will be greatly impacted leaving us with less money (DDF) to do good in the district and the world through District and Global Grants. 
Thanks to the support of a District Project Grant from the Rotary Foundation, the Rotary Club of Brantford-Sunrise donated eight iPads and an iMac computer to Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre. Delivered just in time for Christmas, by Club President Glen Christensen, the iPads and computer will be put to great use by clients of the Centre, a not-for-profit organization that provides programs, opportunities, and jobs for adults living with varying developmental abilities.
The end of 2020 saw a flurry of activity as the Rotary Club of Grimsby welcomed the colder weather and an increased spirit of fellowship in these trying times of COVID-19.
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls was honoured to present a $3,000 donation to the GROW Community Food Literacy Centre, located in downtown Niagara Falls, Ontario. In the photo is Past President Barb Greenwood, Market Manager Michael Jodoin, and Indigenous Outreach Manager Roxanne Molyneaux.
The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise recently lost an outstanding member of its Norfolk community and a truly amazing Rotarian. His life was the definition of 'Service before Self' and we will truly miss him. Rest In Peace, Keith.
Howie Kudlats and Penny Milligan of the Rotary Club of Niagara on the Lake are staying in tip-top golf shape despite the cold and snow. The two are staying limber as co-chairs of their club's First Annual Golf Tournament to be held at Thundering Waters Country Club on August 24, 2021. 
An idea, with talent and drive, is a great start for a project, but at their Jan 27 Zoom meeting, the Rotary Club of Grand Island learned that Connections are what make Rotary projects unique and so successful. Dr. Jodi Porter set the stage – a tough start to life: very limited sight, upheavals in the life of a missionary family, including several months with Bishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa; administering MSF (Doctors Without Borders) projects, brought her to Ontario, its Human Rights Commission, and membership in the Rotary Club of Niagara on the Lake. Then the unique value of Connections: finding ways to actually deliver $3000 worth of ‘Plumpy’nut’ concentrated nutrition bars financed by her Rotary club, to starving, literally dying, youths of Yemen! All done thru contacts in the Canadian Yemeni community, contacts with the warring parties in Yemen thru MSF, and the impossible was done – a modest contribution by a mid-sized Canadian Rotary club, making a life-saving difference to youth in war-torn Yemen! This is the difference that Rotarians can make, and have made, in this world. Rotarians are not all unique in the way Jodi Porter is, but all Rotarians are unique in ways that can help.
It was cold and snowing in Buffalo on January 26th, but there were warm hearts at FeedMore WNY. The Rotary Club of Buffalo donated $50,000 to six area nonprofits for COVID-19 relief. Due to the extraordinary need in our community caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Rotary Club of Buffalo provided much-needed aid to six local organizations that have been challenged to provide assistance to people in need of basic food and supplies. Leaders of the 100-member club and its foundation decided that immediate aid was urgently needed due to the unprecedented circumstances and hardship created by this continuing crisis.
lub of Lincoln is happy to support Khazimula Children's Home once again this year with a $10,000 donation. "Khazimula" means "striving to shine". It is a home for 30 vulnerable children between the ages of 6-19 years.
Creativity, generosity, commitment, results! The Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise held its first 50/50 lottery this January. The intention was to raise $5000 for the completion of the new hospice at St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas. However, the project took off and ALL 2000 tickets were sold which yielded $10,000 for the hospice and $10,000 for our lucky winner, William Knox (pictured right). Then a very generous club member, who wishes to remain anonymous, added another $5000.
What do you do when you stumble across a commemorative stone (pictured left) and notice that your Rotary club’s name is on it? You ask a question of the one Rotarian who knows! After walking through the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park, Buffalo, I checked in with a well known 7090 leader – Greg Norton. He told me this story. It is a perfect story of the “power of Rotary connections”. In Greg’s words:
The Rotary Club of Niagara County Central annually donates dictionaries to third-grade students in the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District. A Rotarian, the late Joseph B. Emmons, began this project locally in 2006. Emmons's wife, Rotarian Marsha Emmons, proudly continues his worthwhile endeavor to bring these keepsakes of written knowledge to the students.
The Rotary Club of Waterdown sourced and installed three permanent games tables in Waterdown Memorial Park in December of 2020. 
Despite having its normal in-person Fall November 2020 event canceled due to the on-going pandemic, the Fall Trivia Night Committee of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore held its first new “Virtual Trivia Night” on Saturday, January 9. Still, a fun night of 100 questions designed by the club's own in-house team of quizmasters, the full complement of 20 teams (comprising roughly 160 players) signed up - with a waiting list. The event had a maximum of 100 email address locations available on Zoom, with 98 being used, showing the diversity of locations for the players.
Figure 1. A picture of the 3 events that took place for Brock Niagara Rotaract in January. 1. Celebrating American Civil Rights leader, the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, on Monday, January 18th. 2. Inviting club members to join the District 7090 Recruitment event on Saturday, January 23rd. 3. Presenting the January theme (Lockdown Productivity) of the monthly photo contest, starting Monday, January 25th.
