"Where Were You in '62?"
Posted by Kenneth Chin
on Apr 01, 2012
On behalf of our Honourary Chair, Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Gala Co-Chairs Nirmala Armstrong and Alan Ho, we want to thank our entire club membership and the Rotarians and Friends of Rotary that made our 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration a success. We are happy to report that over 400 people were able to join us on Saturday March 31st at Crystal Fountain Banquet Hall in Markham for a wonderful evening of dining, prize wining draws and raffles, music and dancing. "Where Were You in '62?" exceeded our fundraising and community service goals and expectations. Proceeds will be contributed to the club's Buy-a-Bed program for Markham-Stouffville Hospital and to Rotary International's PolioPlus campaign.
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On behalf of our Honourary Chair, Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Gala Co-Chairs Nirmala Armstrong and Alan Ho, we want to thank our entire club membership and the Rotarians and Friends of Rotary that made our 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration a success. We are happy to report that over 400 people were able to join us on Saturday March 31st at Crystal Fountain Banquet Hall in Markham for a wonderful evening of dining, prize wining draws and raffles, music and dancing. "Where Were You in '62?" exceeded our fundraising and community service goals and expectations. Proceeds will be contributed to the club's Buy-a-Bed program for Markham-Stouffville Hospital and to Rotary International's PolioPlus campaign.
Markham's Town Crier rang the gala's start, called the assembled to order and our Rotary Choir led us in O Canada. The gala programme was conducted by Master of Ceremonies Craig Riley, president of our lead sponsor, Markville Ford Lincoln Limited. Evening highlights included District 7070 Governor Bob Wallace's presentation to President Kenneth Chin of the certificate from Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee, recognizing our club's 50 years of membership in Rotary International and our members' dedication to the Object of Rotary and commitment to the ideal of Service Above Self.
Dual Keynote speakers addressed the ongoing challenges of poverty, unemployment, health and human rights. Ms. Tselane Mokeuna, Consul-General of the Republic of South Africa in Canada, encouraged us to "Take action; Inspire change; Make every day a Mandela day", and Dr. Eric Pierre, Honorary Counsul of the Republic of Haiti, reminded us that, thru Rotary initiatives such as Shelter Box and the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group, Markham-Unionville Rotary will continue made a difference in our world community.
Guests were entertained by the York Combo during reception and dinner and later danced to 60's favourites, ranging from Blue Suede Shoes to Beatle's hits, by the GWood band, which closed with a heartfelt rendition of the late Etta James' At Last as Cinderella hour chimed. Altogether, "Where Were You in '62?" was an impressive tribute to the Willowdale and Markham Rotarian's who held our February 2, 1962 Charter Night at Toronto's Seaway Hotel and an inspiring charter for our next fifty years of service.
Markham's Town Crier rang the gala's start, called the assembled to order and our Rotary Choir led us in O Canada. The gala programme was conducted by Master of Ceremonies Craig Riley, president of our lead sponsor, Markville Ford Lincoln Limited. Evening highlights included District 7070 Governor Bob Wallace's presentation to President Kenneth Chin of the certificate from Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee, recognizing our club's 50 years of membership in Rotary International and our members' dedication to the Object of Rotary and commitment to the ideal of Service Above Self.
Dual Keynote speakers addressed the ongoing challenges of poverty, unemployment, health and human rights. Ms. Tselane Mokeuna, Consul-General of the Republic of South Africa in Canada, encouraged us to "Take action; Inspire change; Make every day a Mandela day", and Dr. Eric Pierre, Honorary Counsul of the Republic of Haiti, reminded us that, thru Rotary initiatives such as Shelter Box and the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group, Markham-Unionville Rotary will continue made a difference in our world community.
Guests were entertained by the York Combo during reception and dinner and later danced to 60's favourites, ranging from Blue Suede Shoes to Beatle's hits, by the GWood band, which closed with a heartfelt rendition of the late Etta James' At Last as Cinderella hour chimed. Altogether, "Where Were You in '62?" was an impressive tribute to the Willowdale and Markham Rotarian's who held our February 2, 1962 Charter Night at Toronto's Seaway Hotel and an inspiring charter for our next fifty years of service.