Weekly bulletin - April 28

Rotary Club of Oakville

 

April 28, 2014

 

 

President Rudy opened the meeting  and Joe Joseph said grace. Frank led the singing of O Canada and President Rudy proposed the toast to the Queen and Canada.

 

Rudy then gave a special thank you to Janice Tobia and her team for the very successful Wines and Lines event.

 

A turkey dinner was enjoyed by all.

 

There were 29 in attendance, 27 members and two guests, Peggy Dodd and Tom Cunningham.  Tom will soon be a member.

 

Andrew Caird did the fines and happy bucks getting generous amounts from all.

 

Janice thanked all the members, sponsors, and volunteers for their contributions to Wines and Lines.  She said she had never had so many emails, even from people she didn’t know who were offering to help with the event next year.  The final ticket count was 270. She felt it would be possible to plan on 400 next year.  People enjoyed the event for what it was without feeling like it was a fundraiser. Frank reported that the art auction alone earned $1361.

 

Ralf announced that MDHIO tickets would be distributed next week. We need to sell as many prepaid tickets as possible.

 

Doug , on behalf of Mary, thanked all those who donated to the MS walk. She has received $1400 to date.

 

The speaker was unable to attend due to illness.

President Rudy filled the spot admirably by telling how his Rotary club in Amman had partnered with the Rotary Club of New York and a district in Indiana to provide heart surgery to children from Iraq and the surrounding area free of charge to the families.  Rudy said he felt privileged to be able to assist in the organization of this very worthwhile project and also for the opportunity to learn about the life-giving surgeries through photographing the operations.

The heart surgeons from New York were instrumental in teaching Jordanian doctors how to perform these surgeries so eventually the surgeries could be performed in Jordan by the doctors there. Funding was provided by the local clubs and the matching grants of Rotary Foundation.

 

This is what makes Rotary such a wonderful organization and keeps Rudy in Rotary.  To date the Rotary Foundation has provided for 400 surgeries.

 

Alistair thanked Rudy for his presentation and commented that when our members make presentations it shows the passion that individuals have for Rotary.

 

Myra reported that there is a similar project in Cairo where people who have no access to heart surgery can access care free of charge. This program also serves adults.

 

Andrew won the 50/50 draw after some confusion regarding tickets and money.

We think he got the right amount ($20).

 

The next meeting is May 5 and the program will be about stroke rehabilitation.

 

President Rudy closed the meeting with a toast to friends and Rotarians around the world.