Stories


Rotary Firefighter of the Year Award Posted on Oct 13, 2015 Firefighters Robin Barrett and Richard McCrate of the St. John’s Regional Fire Department were been recognized as the inaugural winners of the Rotary Firefighter of the Year Award. Firefighters Barrett and McCrate were recognized for their heroism at the Shaw Street Fire. The new award was created by the Rotary Club of St. John’s to recognize exemplary community service in the performance of firefighters’ duties. “We developed this award to recognize the important work done by the women and men of our firefighting service, and to thank them for the sacrifices they make on our behalf,” said Bernie Beckett, president of the Rotary Club of St. John’s. “The safety and protection provided to residents, homes and businesses throughout the region would not be possible without the bravery and personal sacrifice of our firefighters,” said Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “On behalf of City Council and staff, thank you for putting your lives at risk and helping to keep us all safe from harm.” A perpetual trophy, engraved with Firefighters Barrett’s and McCrate’s names, will be displayed in a St. John’s Regional Fire Department station. The firefighters were also presented with individual plaques to mark the honour.	Rotary Firefighter of the Year Award		2015-10-14 00:00:00Z
2015 Auction and Gala in support of The School Lunch Association Posted by Mark Duggan on Sep 16, 2015 Join us on October 8^th for our 2015 Auction and Gala in support of the School Lunch Association Come to the Merchant Tavern on Water Street for a fun evening of complimentary wine and finger food. Proceeds of this years’ auction will go towards the programs and services of The School Lunch Program. Their mission is to operate a non-stigmatizing program that provides hot nutritious lunches to primary and elementary school children regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Tickets are $125 (Tax receipt issued for $75 per ticket) Contact Ian Penney at ianpenney@janesnoseworthy.ca for tickets! Thank you to our sponsors - RBC Financial Group, Plum creative works, Five Brothers Artisanal Cheese and Dicks and Company.	2015 Auction and Gala in support of The School Lunch Association	Mark Duggan	2015-09-17 00:00:00Z
Congratulations to our newest Rotary Club - the "Rotary Cub of St. John's After Hours" Posted by Mark Duggan on Jun 04, 2015 The newest Rotary club in St. John’s officially launches Rotary Club of St. John’s After Hours is “on the cutting edge of Rotary” This month, Newfoundland and Labrador welcomes its newest Rotary club to a century-old tradition. The Rotary Club of St. John’s After Hours hosts its official charter event on Friday, June 12 to become the fourteenth Rotary club in the province and the sixth in St. John’s. Stella Roy, District Governor of Rotary District 7820 (Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saint-Pierre et Miquelon) will be present to officially swear in the 28 members of the new club as official Rotarians. While Rotary International has been around for 110 years, the concept of Rotary is changing to reflect its membership and the needs of the community. “After Hours is on the cutting edge of Rotary,” says Tom McCaughey, Past District Governor of Rotary District 7820 and a member of the Rotary Club of St. John’s Northwest. “We are proud to support this new club because it is teaching us what Rotary means to this generation of young professionals and how we can stay current in the community.” The Rotary Club of St. John’s After Hours meets downtown on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30pm. Unlike most Rotary meetings, After Hours meetings are not held during work hours and don’t involve a meal. “Members can be home in time to eat supper with their families,” says Kelly Finlay, the new club’s president. After Hours members seek to play a hands-on role in the community, preferring to wield a hammer or flip pancakes over writing cheques. The club’s flagship project for the 2015-2016 year is the Buckmaster’s Circle Community Centre. So far, After Hours members have provided furniture for six families living in Buckmaster’s Circle, including one that lost its belongings in a house fire, and they are currently building a new preschool playground. “We are thrilled that After Hours has picked up so much momentum in the past few months,” says Finlay. “The fact that we offer an informal, welcoming environment has attracted many new and diverse Rotarians from a wide range of backgrounds and career paths.” All Rotary friends and family are welcome to attend the charter event. Those interested can email rotaryafterhoursstjohns@gmail.com for details and to RSVP.	Congratulations to our newest Rotary Club - the "Rotary Cub of St. John's After Hours"	Mark Duggan	2015-06-05 00:00:00Z
508 Caribou Air Cadets Annual Ceremonial Review Posted by Mark Duggan on May 31, 2015 The officers and cadets of the Rotary sponsored 508 Air Cadets held their 66^th Annual Ceremonial Review on Sunday May 31^st. The Rotary Club of St. John’s has been the lead sponsor of the Squadron since its inception in 1949 – one of six Squadrons started by the Club soon after Confederation. This year, the Caribou Group established the John Fitzpatrick Memorial Scholarship for Volunteerism in memory of Rotarian and community leader, the late John Fitzpatrick. This $500 scholarship recognizes John’s passionate commitment to Rotary, volunteerism and the cadet movement and will be awarded annually to a cadet of 508 Caribou who has demonstrated that same commitment to volunteerism. Mary Fitzpatrick presented this year’s scholarship to Warrant Officer Second Class Alex Olenick. Club President Linda Bidgood presented the award for Best Senior NCO, also to Warrant Officer Second Class Alex Olenick, and Mark Duggan, Chairman of the Sponsoring Committee, brought greetings on behalf of the Club. Mary Fitzpatrick presents the John Fitzpatrick Memorial Scholarship for Volunteerism to Warrant Officer Second Class Alex Olenick Club President, Linda Bidgood presents the award for Best Senior NCO to Warrant Officer Second Class Alex Olenick.	508 Caribou Air Cadets Annual Ceremonial Review	Mark Duggan	2015-06-01 00:00:00Z
508 Cadets medal at Canada Winter Games Posted by Mark Duggan on Feb 18, 2015 Two former and one current member of the Rotary sponsored 508 Caribou Air Cadets were among Newfoundland and Labrador’s earliest medalists at the 2015 Canada Winter Games. First year cadet, Hayley Barrett and former cadet Samantha Marsh won gold in the women's 10-meter rifle team shooting while former cadet, Daniel Dimitrov and teammate William Dalton, captured a silver medal in the men’s team competition. Samantha went on to win a second gold medal in the women’s individual 10-meter air rifle competition. During their time with 508 Hayley, Samantha and Daniel were part of the squadron’s marksmanship program. One of the many training opportunities available to cadets, where they were coached by Civilian Instructor, Mario Dimitrov (father of Daniel), a former member of the Bulgarian national marksmanship team. Congratulations to Samantha, Daniel and Hayley. Photo: From left, Hayley Barrett, Samantha Marsh, William Dalton and Daniel Dimitrov Read more...	508 Cadets medal at Canada Winter Games	Mark Duggan	2015-02-19 00:00:00Z
Rotary Club of St. John’s supports The Gathering Place The Rotary Club of St. John’s stepped up in a big way this week in support of The Gathering Place. The club presented a cheque for $50,000 to the community support organization to assist in the redevelopment of its premises on Military Road. The Gathering Place fundraising initiative was the major club project for the last year under the leadership of club president, Linda Bidgood. The $50,000 cheque was presented at the club’s regular weekly meeting on Jan. 22. (Pictured, L-R:) Linda Bidgood, president, Rotary Club of St. John’s, presents the $50,000 cheque to Sister Sharon Fagan, co-chair, board of directors, and Sister Sheila O’Dea, secretary of the board, The Gathering Place. The Rotary Club of St. John’s is the one of the oldest service clubs in Newfoundland and Labrador. It was established in 1921 and for almost a century has donated millions of dollars in support of community development projects, non-profit organizations, health and youth initiatives, disaster relief and other activities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador as well as nationally and internationally.	Rotary Club of St. John’s supports The Gathering Place		2015-01-25 00:00:00Z
ROTARY CHARITIES CAR SWEEP Posted by Phil Wall on Jan 06, 2015 Naturals Group The Rotary Charities Car Sweep draw took place on January 03rd, 2015 at the Avalon Mall. The winner of the 2015 Toyota Corolla was Mr. Leonard Smith of Corner Brook and the ticket number was 06157. Members of the Naturals Group, Waterford Valley Club, and the Humber Club on the west coast were all active in the project. Phil Wall	ROTARY CHARITIES CAR SWEEP	Phil Wall	2015-01-07 00:00:00Z
Request for Community Service Project Posted by Mark Duggan on Nov 03, 2014 Request for Community Service Project The Rotary Club of St. John’s supports a major Community Services project annually in addition to the many smaller Community Service and International projects that we fund and service. We are requesting proposals for a major Community Service project for 2015. Rotary’s contribution to major projects is generally in the $50,000 range and projects should meet most of the following criteria: Leaves a tangible, visible addition to our community Aimed at meeting the needs of the less fortunate and more vulnerable in our society Capable of completion in one Rotary fiscal year Raises the Profile of Rotary in our community by identification with Rotary on an ongoing basis i.e. naming rights or permanent signage or some other continuing presence A project that can bring Rotary Club members together in action In the past, major Rotary projects have included Access House, the Emergency Response Vehicle, Rotary Sunshine Park, Iris Kirby House, A Van for Brighter Futures, and the Rotary Rainbow Riders Barn. We have also contributed to the Chess Penney Family Y, Ronald McDonald House, Bannerman Park Foundation and The Gathering Place. Application deadline: December 31 2014 Please submit applications to: Gary Squires Rotary Club of St. John’s P.O. Box 1794, St. C St. John’s, NL A1C 5P9 or email to gsquires@campbellship.com	Request for Community Service Project	Mark Duggan	2014-11-04 00:00:00Z
World Polio Day - Help Rotaract End Polio Now Posted by Mark Duggan on Oct 16, 2014 Next Friday, October 24^th join Rotaract at the locations listed below to make a donation towards ending polio now!	World Polio Day - Help Rotaract End Polio Now	Mark Duggan	2014-10-17 00:00:00Z
Hi from Salzburg - a message from Rotary Exchange student Maria Peddle Posted by Jeff Collingwood on Oct 08, 2014 In front of a church in a beautiful town called Hallstatt during language camp. Read more...	Hi from Salzburg - a message from Rotary Exchange student Maria Peddle	Jeff Collingwood	2014-10-09 00:00:00Z
Rotary – Reaching from St. John’s to Zimbabwe! Posted by Ray Smallwood on Oct 01, 2014 Read more...	Rotary – Reaching from St. John’s to Zimbabwe!	Ray Smallwood	2014-10-02 00:00:00Z
Update on the Rotary Splash Pad at Bannerman Park Posted by Mark Duggan on Sep 21, 2014 Construction on the Rotary sponsored Splash Pad at Bannerman Park in St. John 's is well underway! In 2013, three St. John’s area Rotary Clubs - The Rotary Clubs of St. John’s, St. John’s East and St. John’s Northwest - each donated $50,000 for a total $150,000 to the Bannerman Park Foundation to support the construction of the Rotary Splash Pad. Renovations at Bannerman Park, including the installation of Splash Pad equipment, are underway and we are looking forward to this great new addition to the Park next summer.	Update on the Rotary Splash Pad at Bannerman Park	Mark Duggan	2014-09-22 00:00:00Z
Kevin J O’Regan Rotary Community Garden Posted by Mark Duggan on Sep 10, 2014 Read more...	Kevin J O’Regan Rotary Community Garden	Mark Duggan	2014-09-11 00:00:00Z
Rotarian Gordon Slade to receive Honorary Doctorate from Memorial University Posted by Mark Duggan on Sep 08, 2014 Read more...	Rotarian Gordon Slade to receive Honorary Doctorate from Memorial University	Mark Duggan	2014-09-09 00:00:00Z
CARIBOU GROUP WATERFORD HOSPITAL BBQ Posted by Margaret Madden on Jun 23, 2014 The Caribou Group annual Waterford Hospital BBQ Read more...	CARIBOU GROUP WATERFORD HOSPITAL BBQ	Margaret Madden	2014-06-24 00:00:00Z
College of the North Atlantic Rotary Club of St. John's Scholarship Winner 2013 - Adam Baker Posted by Margaret Madden on Apr 09, 2014	College of the North Atlantic Rotary Club of St. John's Scholarship Winner 2013 - Adam Baker	Margaret Madden	2014-04-10 00:00:00Z
End Polio Now Presentation Posted by Margaret Madden on Apr 06, 2014	End Polio Now Presentation	Margaret Madden	2014-04-07 00:00:00Z
Boys Undercover Reading Program Posted by Margaret Madden on Mar 05, 2014 "Rotary Club of St. John's President Ian Penney and Boys Undercover Reading Program Project Chair John Fitpatrick meet with Winston Taylor, librarian, at St. Andrews Elementary to formally present the cart of boy-specific materials purchased by Rotary." Read more...	Boys Undercover Reading Program	Margaret Madden	2014-03-06 00:00:00Z
Rotary Sponsored 508 Air Cadets; Picture depicts Air Cadets on Parade December 2013 at the Downtown St John's Christmas Parade Posted by Margaret Madden on Feb 10, 2014	Rotary Sponsored 508 Air Cadets; Picture depicts Air Cadets on Parade December 2013 at the Downtown St John's Christmas Parade	Margaret Madden	2014-02-11 00:00:00Z
Naturals Ticket Sweep Car Winner Presentation Posted by Margaret Madden on Jan 16, 2014 Read more...	Naturals Ticket Sweep Car Winner Presentation	Margaret Madden	2014-01-17 00:00:00Z
Request for Proposals for Major Club Project (2014-2015) Posted by Margaret Madden on Dec 03, 2013 Request for Community Service Projects The St. John’s Rotary Club seeks to accomplish one major project annually in addition to numerous other smaller community service projects and international projects that we fund and service. We are therefore requesting proposals for a major club project for 2014. Such projects are generally in the $50,000 – $75,000 range and meet most if not all the following criteria: -be a project that leaves a tangible, visible addition to our community -be aimed at meeting the needs of the less fortunate and more vulnerable in our society -be a project capable of completion in one Rotary year -be a project capable of raising the Profile of Rotary in our community by identification with Rotary on an ongoing basis i.e. Naming rights or permanent signage or some other continuing presence -be a project that can bring club members together in action In the past such projects have included Access House, the Emergency Response Vehicle, Rotary Sunshine Park, Iris Kirby House, Van for Brighter Futures, Rotary Rainbow Riders barn. We have contributed to the Ches Penney Family Y, Ronald McDonald House and the Bannerman Park Foundation. Kindly submit your application for consideration by December 31 2013. Please forward to: Gary Squires P.O. Box 1794, Stn. C St. John’s, NL A1C 5P9 gsquires@campbellship.com	Request for Proposals for Major Club Project (2014-2015)	Margaret Madden	2013-12-04 00:00:00Z
WATER PROJECT - ST. MATTHEW'S SCHOOL AND ROTARY CLUB OF ST. JOHN'S PARTNERSHIP Posted by Margaret Madden on Aug 05, 2013 Read more...	WATER PROJECT - ST. MATTHEW'S SCHOOL AND ROTARY CLUB OF ST. JOHN'S PARTNERSHIP	Margaret Madden	2013-08-06 00:00:00Z
Official Opening of Edward P Ronayne Rotary Berry Garden, Friday, July 26, 2013 Posted by Margaret Madden on Jul 26, 2013 Read more...	Official Opening of Edward P Ronayne Rotary Berry Garden, Friday, July 26, 2013	Margaret Madden	2013-07-27 00:00:00Z
Watoto Choir from Africa perform at Rotary Luncheon at the Sheraton June 06th, 2013 Posted by Margaret Madden on Jun 08, 2013 Read more...	Watoto Choir from Africa perform at Rotary Luncheon at the Sheraton June 06th, 2013	Margaret Madden	2013-06-09 00:00:00Z
Splash Pad Groundbreaking - Bannerman Park Posted by Margaret Madden on May 27, 2013 Read more...	Splash Pad Groundbreaking - Bannerman Park	Margaret Madden	2013-05-28 00:00:00Z
Cheque Presentation (Emergency Alert Foundation); Thursday, May 23, 2013 Posted by Margaret Madden on May 27, 2013 Read more...	Cheque Presentation (Emergency Alert Foundation); Thursday, May 23, 2013	Margaret Madden	2013-05-28 00:00:00Z
INTERNATIONAL TOAST Posted by Margaret Madden on May 27, 2013 Following the story about Bruce Templeton and the Rotary Club of St. John's in Rotary Voices on May 10, 2013 the Rotary Club of St. John's was made the focusof their International Toast on May 15, 2013 Rosanna Review - Weekly Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Rosanna (Victoria, Australia #7990) INTERNATIONAL TOAST The Rotary Club of: St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada Meets at: Thursday 13.00 at Sheraton, Newfoundland, Cavendish Square, St. John’s, NF, Canada President: Robert B. Andrews Members: Chartered in 1922, (96 members) From a report in Rotary Voices, May 10. A club member, Bruce Templeton s described as Santa’s Helper. wrote a book called “The Man in the Red Suit .” It made the best seller list in Canada. Bruce’s wife said “why don’t we donate our writer’s first printing proceeds to Rotary’s PolioPlus fund?” They then set out to leverage through matched funding from local companies before the money went to RI. That was a great deal of fun and within a few days, we turned $5,000 into $30,000. Then the Government of Canada matched the $30,000 and so did the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation . So $5,000 “engaged by Rotary” turned into $90,000, and we can now buy the vaccine for 150,000 children to “change lives.”	INTERNATIONAL TOAST	Margaret Madden	2013-05-28 00:00:00Z
ROTARY SPONSORS NEW SPLASH PAD IN BANNERMAN PARK Posted by Margaret Madden on May 25, 2013 Read more...	ROTARY SPONSORS NEW SPLASH PAD IN BANNERMAN PARK	Margaret Madden	2013-05-26 00:00:00Z
Ronald McDonald House "Home for Dinner" Rotary Club of St. John's. Tuesday, March 12, 2013 Posted by Margaret Madden on Mar 13, 2013 Read more...	Ronald McDonald House "Home for Dinner" Rotary Club of St. John's. Tuesday, March 12, 2013	Margaret Madden	2013-03-13 21:02:16Z
Wine Project Posted by Fred Earle The Rotary Club of St. John's continues the tradition of offering sought-after wines from Australia's award-winning winemaker Rolf Binder, one of the most exciting boutique winemakers in the Barossa Valley. These wines are available only through the Rotary Club of St. John's and cannot be purchased anywhere else outside Australia. Proceeds from this exclusive fundraiser go towards Rotary's support of community projects, which in recent years have included the Autism Society of NL, Rainbow Riders, Bright Futures Coalition, Easter Seals House, and Bridges to Hope. Read more...	Wine Project	Fred Earle
Don't forget the eBulletin! Posted by Fred Earle ClubRunner makes it easy to publish your eBulletin, and send to all your members and friends. Read more...	Don't forget the eBulletin!	Fred Earle

Construction on the Rotary sponsored Splash Pad at Bannerman Park in St. John 's is well underway!