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Shelterbox offers survival, stability and dignity to disaster survivors

ShelterBox and Rotary provide emergency shelter and essential household items after a disaster happens in countries world-wide.

Shelterbox and Rotary International are project partners combining resources for disaster relief, with Rotary providing support and connection on the ground. They work with trusted local partners in disaster-affected communities to provide emergency essential items and training needed to support families in the process of rebuilding their lives. Ally Buck, guest speaker at the Stittsville Rotary meeting of November 25, 2025, is the Rotary and Community Fundraising Coordinator at ShelterBox Canada and Stittsville Rotary has contributed to Shelterbox annually.

She explained that every disaster and every community is different, so workers assess the situation and talk to affected families to make sure the right support is offered at the right time to help them recover. Shelterbox and Rotary assisted in such disasters as multiple large earthquakes in the Philippines and Afghanistan and flash floods Pakistan, etc. For more information check https://shelterboxcanada.org

Rotarians Make a Meaningful and Lasting Difference

Rotary projects in Colombia improve the health of children, mothers and needy people.

Bruce Higgs of the Rotary Club of Gananoque was the guest speaker at the Stittsville Rotary Club meeting of November 11, 2025. He shared stories and photos about his club’s humanitarian projects in Columbia, South America. He personally met with Rotarians in the local clubs and planned projects with them. Stittsville Rotary supported these projects financially in 2024-2025.

The project at Buga Hospital in Columbia resulted in a significant reduction in birth deaths of infants, through the acquisition of incubators, echograph equipment and a new wing dedicated to maternity.

The most recent project costing $92,792US provides a mobile medical clinic with specialized equipment. It will offer basic and specialized health services to needy people in rural areas surrounding Buga, Colombia. A population of 240,000 will benefit.

Hoofbeats and Hearts Offers a Unique Service

Equine therapy helps people of all ages who have special needs.

The Stittsville Rotary excursion to Hoofbeats and Heartbeats in Dunrobin was a great success. Owner Deb Carey-Knox welcomed us in a session about the history and development of the non-profit equine therapy business, then we went to the indoor barn to see the mini horses in action.

The 7 children warmed up quickly to the horses and very soon they were leading the horses around and up on the platform and riding horseback with the help of the adult volunteers.

It was easy to see how the animals would be great in therapy sessions with children and adults of all ages. One young person told me she felt more calm and she left her problems behind when she was with the horses.

For more information check this link: Pony Party Visits, Visits With Mini Horses - Ottawa, Ontario

November 11 was a Solemn Day for Remembrance.

Stittsville Rotarians and family members attended the Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph in Stittsville on November 11, 2025. Two members presented a commemorative wreath with a banner created by former Rotarian Lynda Brooks.

Originally, Remembrance Day honored the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers during the first World War which ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918.”

Every year Canadians continue to mark Remembrance Day on November 11^th. As Canadians, we have a shared responsibility to honor the service and sacrifice of every person who has served or continues to serve in our country's armed forces in times of war, military conflict and peace.

Stittsville is a fast-growing community where businesses can thrive, grow and prosper.

The Stittsville Business Association connects, supports and promotes the businesses of Stittsville.

Jenn Wozny, Chair of Community Relations, Stittsville Business Association (SBA) was the guest speaker at the Nov 04, 2025 meeting of Stittsville Rotary Club. She described the history of the SBA and its development into a proactive organization that connects, supports and promotes the businesses of Stittsville. Currently, there are 90 members and a board of directors elected to provide oversight. The SBA is striving to increase awareness of the SBA and its membership through a wide variety of initiatives in the community.

Jenn confirmed that the SBA “envisions a future where Stittsville businesses thrive, driving sustainable growth and prosperity for all”. At a time when Stittsville is growing rapidly, the SBA is working to establish Stittsville as “a premier destination for business innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic prosperity.”

For more information, check out this link to their website: Stittsville Business Association.

Graeme Fraser strongly believes “Rotary Makes a Difference”

Rotary District 7040 Governor Fraser offers suggestions to clubs to make that happen.

District 7040 Governor Graeme Fraser was the guest speaker at the Stittsville Rotary meeting of October 28, 2025. He is a member of Rotary Club of West Ottawa who firmly believes in the Rotary family theme and that “Rotary Makes a Difference”. Shaped by his strong family background in Rotary, Graeme’s approach is one of supporting clubs to do their work.

Here are 3 of his suggestions that will ensure that Rotary clubs everywhere continue to be effective:

A successful Rotary club represents the community it is in. Increasing membership in Rotary is important for carrying out the Rotary mandate of “Service Above Self”.
A flexible club offers options to potential members including younger working people, e.g. variable meeting formats/times and a variety of interesting hands-on community service projects
An effective club’s activities including meetings and events are inclusive and accessible for all new and experienced members. www.stittsvillerotary.com

Soaring Circle Empowers Indigenous Youth to Succeed

The goal is to create a supportive environment for Indigenous youth to stay in school, to succeed and thrive in their communities.

The guest speaker at Stittsville Rotary Club on October 23, 2025, outlined Soaring Circle’s comprehensive program which empowers youth through education and enhances their access to career and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Josée Lusignan, President & Co-founder of Soaring Circle, a Canadian charitable organization, confirmed that to date Soaring Circle has been in 125 remote Indigenous communities across Canada. Hands-on initiatives such SEWCASE have been successful in connecting youth to culture through the textile arts. It provides a pathway to employment and entrepreneurship careers in the fashion industry through the in-school sewing labs and the mentorship platform. The program which is supported by global brands and top Indigenous designers offers different levels of practical support, including full Janome sewing lab setups, equipment upgrades and/or material supplies, and educational resources.

Stittsville Rotary Club has financially supported Sewcase and saw it in action in a visit to the Kitigan Zibi School in April 2025. Check soaringcircle.ca for more information.

Together We End Polio

The program of immunization, testing, and surveillance has been effective in ending polio in all but 2 countries.

World Polio Day on Oct 24^th is a time for Rotary members and all who want a world free from polio to come together, recognize the progress in the fight to end polio, and the identify actions needed to end polio for good.

While we are close to eradicating polio world-wide, there are still 2 countries who have the wild polio virus. Your financial support for Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign will help Rotary and its partners reach every child with the polio vaccine. All donations are matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation, tripling your impact. Together, we end polio. Check out this website: World Polio Day | End Polio

Rotarians deliver MUMs for Thanksgiving in Ottawa

This special fundraiser supports Rotary Club community service projects.

Vibrant blooms of various colors have arrived in the last few days at the homes of 5,000 lucky individuals in Ottawa. Again this year with Thanksgiving just a few days away, Rotarians and non-profit organizations in Ottawa, in partnership with the Rotary Club of West Ottawa, have sold and delivered pots of chrysanthemums all across the city.

Real estate agents, car dealerships, brokerage firms, legal and medical professionals and other businesses and individuals take advantage of this program to thank their friends or clientele.

Rotary clubs are grateful for the success of this special fundraiser as the funds support their community service projects such as local food banks, Dictionaries4Life, high school awards, women’s shelters and more.

Thanks to the many volunteers who made this MUMs project possible. Enjoy this beautiful, resilient flower considered by many to be the favorite flower of the fall season.

Stittsville residents joined together in a meaningful Indigenous-led ceremony in WJ Bell Rotary Peace Park on September 30^th.

The event was a thoughtful way to remember past injustices to Indigenous peoples while looking forward to collaboration in building a better future for everyone.

On the fifth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2025, Canadians across the country gathered together for ceremonies to reflect on the tragic legacy of residential schools and to honor the children who never came home.

Locally, the Stittsville Rotary Club and The Legacy of Hope Foundation worked together to create a meaningful ceremony for Stittsville residents in the WJ Bell Rotary Peace Park. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, the event was a reminder that Every Child Matters.

Following an introduction by Rotarian Michael Dixon, Teresa Edwards, Director of The Legacy of Hope Foundation, led a commemorative ceremony on the labyrinth. A reflective walk provided an opportunity to place hand-painted orange river rocks along the trails in the park. Thank you to the many community volunteers and Stittsville residents who participated in this event. Thanks also to our sponsors: Pat Nikolovski, DJ Powrhaus Music Entertainment, Leanna Bunner Gil, Water and Earth Supply Co., Ambrotek Printing and Barker Funeral Home & Chapel Inc., Carleton Place.