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Following an hour of fellowship, President Doug started the proceedings at 6:30 PM by reading the Land Acknowledgement Statement, which was followed by the members all singing O Canada. Invited guests – councillor Kevin Klein and wife Heather, DG Dan Sutton and wife Peggy as well as Carol Vandale and Roger Murray, representing MLA Myrna Driedger and husband Hal (who were unable to attend) - were welcomed by President Doug. Mentioning that for 2020’s Christmas we all met via Zoom while enjoying meals delivered from Breezy Bend’s kitchen, President Doug observed how wonderful it was to have this Christmas dinner party in person while conforming to the provincial COVID19 mandates. (Charleswood Rotary Club meetings were on Zoom between Christmas in 2020 Christmas and about mid-September of 2021.) The club’s activities in the past year were summarized as information for spouses and guests: - Funding the Westgrove School Breakfast Program (as well as footwear for students)
- Donating socks to the Fit Feet on the Street program of Canadian Footwear.
- Providing Post Secondary Scholarships to the three area High Schools,
- Funding youth to attend RYLA - (Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly) and MUNA - (Model United Nations Assembly) both of which are virtual events during the Covid pandemic.
- Manning a full schedule of the Salvation Army Kettle at the Charleswood Liquor Mart (In 2020, we provided financial assistance only.).
- Supporting STARS Air Ambulance in Manitoba.
- Supporting international programs such as Polio Plus (eradicating Polio around the world) and Shelter Box (providing temporary shelter and living essentials required in disaster areas).
- Funding support for the District 5550 Ripple Effect Program that renovates and builds new schools, as well as providing water, sanitation and teachers to schools in remote areas in Guatemala.
- Funding 1000 Survival Gardens, in remote South Africa by providing a simple and easy way to transport water long distances as well as gardening supplies to make it easier for a family and community to be self sustaining.
- Funding the purchase of 5 efficient cooking stove installations through Stove Team International to eliminate the toxic smoke from the indoor open flames typically used to prepare food in rural Central America.
- Planning the Enhancement of the Assiniboine Forest using the resources of the Rotary Club of Charleswood Charitable Foundation (RCCCF, chaired by Jack Wilson) and donors like the City of Winnipeg and numerous individuals.
Club Financing – has relied on the annual Lobster Fest held at the Eric Coy Arena. It was cancelled in 2020 (due to COVID concerns), but this year, under the guidance of Jim Forestell and his committee, a very successful Drive-Through Lobster Fest was held at the Varsity View Community Centre in the fall. Personal donations as well as member-solicited business donations, have put the club in an acceptable financial position for 2022! MESSAGE FROM DG DAN SUTTON DG Dan began his brief message by presenting a certificate from The Rotary Foundation for the club’s donations to Polio Plus . He commended the club for working towards the elimination of poverty in our area. The district, consisting of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and NW Ontario, has the three worst poverty rates in Canada. Poverty can be seen everywhere, not just among adults but with children as well. Another goal of the Rotary District 5550 is the environment and our club’s involvement with the Assiniboine Forest falls within that area. He congratulated the club for the service it provides to the youth in the community. SPECIAL PRE-MEAL GRACE “We pause to consider all we have to be grateful for: - For the wonders of the natural world and the beauty of each season in turn.
- For the resources of this world, to be valued and used wisely.
- For the people around the globe with whom we share a common humanity and desire for a better, more peaceful world.
- For the connection with family and friends who nurture and support us each day, especially those gathered with us today.
- For the food we are about to share and for all who brought it to us.
- For the future and all the opportunities that are before us.
We acknowledge all these things today with appreciation and gratitude. ENTERTAINMENT After the meal, Jack and Murr organized each table of diners in three different contests – the first one being a Word Search game, another was a Word Jumble game and the third was to find a word related to Christmas or Hanukkah for each letter of the alphabet. A bit of brain exercise! Winners of each contest were rewarded with treats. This in turn was followed by a visit from a jolly Santa Claus who greeted every table with a hearty “Merry Christmas” and presented everyone with a candy cane. CLUB’S CHRISTMAS DONATIONS Chuck Crocker thanked members for bringing 284 pairs of socks (to donate to the Fit Feet on the Street program organized by Canadian Footwear) and for food donations to the Westgrove School Breakfast program provided before the Xmas party. - 50 boxes of cereal
 - 1 case (20) fruit cups
- 1 case (34) granola bars
- 3 boxes (6) granola bars
- 4 boxes Ritz Crackers
- 2 1L apple juice
- 2 Ramen noodles
- 2 cream of wheat cereal
- 1 box oatmeal cookies
- 2 jars WOW Butter
- 4 jars Strawberry jam
- 1 jar Cheez Whiz
- 4 Toques (not food but I’m sure they can use them!)
- Cash donations totaling $150
Items donated by members as of Dec 13th – the club will be purchasing and delivering more food items in the new year. THANKS TO - After the meal, President Doug thanked all the individuals that made this evening’s Christmas party a success: - The Breezy Bend management and staff
- The club’s Christmas Party Planning Committee, (Jack, Mike, Iain, Lorraine, PDG Nancy and Doug)
- Rod & Dory for setting up and running the photo area
- Dave and Nancy Morris for their donation of the wine for each table
- Everyone who came and made this dinner a success.
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