Welcome, land acknowledgement and invocation: The meeting began with a land acknowledgement from Larry Rodrigue recognizing the indigenous peoples of the Halton region and an invocation for peace and understanding across cultures. Mike Fisher led us with O Canada, Peter DeGroot read an invocation and Lynn toasted the King and Canada.
Guest introductions: Several guests were welcomed including Pablo Alvarez (international Rotarian from Majorca, Spain), Ruth and Olu Akinbade (prospective new members interested in joining the club), Tracey, Kimberley Soeder and two moms – Mariela Savkova (Silvia’s mom) and Patricia (Karla’s mom). Lynn wished all January-born members happy birthday, including Karla Cabrera.
Member “classification” presentations: Stephen Brown & Neeraj Nulu shared their backgrounds, including professional experiences in technology and automotive industries, and their motivations for joining Rotary to engage with the community.
New member inductions: Two new members, Silvia Dimitrova and Nasser Gadri, were formally inducted with Lynn emphasising Rotary’s ideals of service above self and community involvement. (For photos see our WhatsApp group).
Club activities and committee involvement: Members were encouraged to participate in committees and contribute ideas for fundraising and community projects, highlighting the importance of collective club support. Mahendra informed us that the 2025 Golf to Give Tournament raised a surplus of $11k. Thank you to everyone involved!
Keynote on Sleeping Children Around the World: Ralf Soeder gave a detailed presentation described the charity’s mission to provide bed kits to children globally, the logistics of international distributions, and the role of Rotary clubs in supporting and coordinating these efforts.
Ralf was introduced by Karla as a long-time Rotarian, with over 20 years of service and deep involvement in youth and children’s projects.
Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) is a Canadian charity dedicated to providing bed kits to children in need globally.
SCAW’s guiding principle: Every child should be able to sleep well, leading to better health and education.
The organization was founded 55 years ago by Murray and Margaret Dryden in Toronto after witnessing children sleeping on the streets.
Over $60 million has been donated by Canadians, resulting in 1.9 million bed kits delivered worldwide.
SCAW operates with a “clean charity pathway”—100% of donations go directly to the bed kits; volunteers pay their own travel and expenses.
Fundraising is grassroots, with support from schools, church groups, and individuals; annual fundraising events help cover foundation expenses.
Rotary Clubs (in Canada and local to each project across the globe) play a crucial role as “boots on the ground,” handling logistics, finances, and distribution in recipient countries.
Ralf described a recent trip to Nairobi, Kenya, where a team of seven delivered 7,000 bed kits in two weeks across seven distributions.
Each bed kit costs $40 and includes a mattress, mosquito net, school supplies, uniform, towel, footwear, and blanket, all locally sourced except the mosquito net.
Distribution sites ranged from urban slums to indigenous communities in the Maasai Mara reserve.
Children receive their bed kits personally, with sizes tailored to their age and height; each donor receives a photo of the child who received their kit.
The impact is profound: for some families, the towel in the kit is the first they’ve ever owned.
Transportation for distributions is varied, from jeeps to buses, wagons, and motorcycles; volunteers experience local culture and challenges.
The children and families show immense gratitude, often giving handmade gifts and sharing dances and songs with the volunteers.
Rotary Clubs in recipient countries manage the selection of children, logistics, and financial oversight, ensuring transparency and effectiveness.
Ralf emphasized the importance of annual debriefs to improve future distributions and maintain high standards.
The experience is deeply rewarding for volunteers, offering a genuine connection to local communities and a firsthand look at the impact of service.
The keynote concluded with encouragement for all Rotarians to get involved, share ideas, and support hands-on projects that make a real difference globally.
Mike Fisher thanked Ralf and briefly talked about his recent and planned involvement with SCAW.
Fundraising and upcoming events: Updates were given on successful past events like golf tournaments and Global Medic missions, with calls for further member involvement in future initiatives. The date has been set for our 2026 Golf to Give Tournament: September 14 at Piper’s Heath Golf Club. Mike Fisher reminded us that the next Global Medic mission will be Saturday January 17 10am to 12 noon.
Closing remarks and Rotary principles: Lynn talked about our Holidays Event, the 2026 RI Convention in Taiwan and thanked everyone who participated in the Salvation Army Kettles last month, as organised by Karla. The meeting concluded with a recitation of the Four Way Test, Rotary’s guiding principles that focus on truth, fairness, friendship, benefit to all, and enjoyment, setting a positive tone for the new year.
