On August 11th, participants swam, biked and ran to participate in the Chemong Lake Triathlon. Thanks to the organization of Race Director Ryan Logan, the sponsors and volunteers, the event went off without a hitch. BEL Rotary started the event 30 years ago and after running it for several years “passed the baton” so to speak. To this day the club is an active partner in the event and the beneficiary. Money raised supports works such as the Adopt a Family Christmas projects, the purchase of books for schools and support for Community Care.
What a weekend it was! BEL Rotarians had the honour of joining our community partners on August 10th to bring the Bridgenorth 200th birthday party to the community. The event featured live music courtesy of the Misfits, a petting zoo, bouncy castles and a full range of children’s games. All of this was free to the community thanks to the generosity of the sponsors and the volunteers. Events such as this make our community strong and remind us of how lucky we are to enjoy the benefits of living in Selwyn Township.
Monday night, friends and Family gathered to celebrate the success of the 2023 - 24 Rotary year, and to welcome the 2024 - 2025 Rotary year. More than ever the world needs Rotary.
“As the Rotary year ends and another begins I want to thank you all for what you do to make lives better! I am so proud to be part of the BEL Club and of the work we do. We started last year building bird houses with children - giving them a hands-on experience and opportunity to be a positive part of the environment - and ended with presenting a beautiful selection of books to local schools - to help children further understand what peace looks like” said outgoing President Susan Davidson.
The club also provided festive meals to families in need, supported the food banks, and gave the gift of Christmas. They created “Sunshine Bags” for seniors and supported the Community Care drop in centre. They planted tulips to support polio eradication, cleaned up the park and the BEL Rotary Bridgenorth trail, and started work on the pollinator garden at Rotary Park.
BEL Rotary supported a student to the Adventure in Understanding program bringing Indigenous and non Indigenous youth together, participated in the Chemong School Fun Fair and sponsored family skating and well as the schools.
The work of Rotary is international as well as local. The club supported the SOS Children's Village in Panama with kitchen equipment, a washing machine and television and celebrated the well in a remote village in Nepal.
Often known as the “Home of the Polar Plunge”, the club hosted one of the most successful plunges it its history and thanks to the intrepid plungers and the generous community, more than $65,000 was raised to support local charities and the work of the club. Benefactors included Five Counties Children’s Centre, Camp Kawartha, LAWS, and cancer research (to name a few).
The club continues to be a strong supporter of the Rotary Foundation and Polio Eradication and was recognized at the Zone and District level for this commitment.
Before passing the gavel to incoming president Shannon Junkin, Davidson thanked the club for their passion, commitment and caring. “We do create hope for many who feel they have none and make a difference in lives”, said Davidson. She also recognized families, friends of Rotary and community partners – “without this team we could not accomplish what we do!”
Incoming President Shannon accepted the gavel and outlined her goals for the year. She brings energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role. As a former exchange student, she understands the power of Rotary and the impact it has at home and across the globe. Junkin recognized the club and will work to continue to meet the needs of the community.
As part of the Shamrock Festival weekend, BEL Rotarians worked with "little carpenters” to build bird houses. With the help of the adult carpenters, Rotarians Mike Richardson, Bob Fawcett and Scott Negrych, the children completed a project they could be proud of. The delight on the children's faces when they saw their creation said it all. Not only did they have fun, they created something that will be beneficial to the environment, one of Rotary's areas of focus.
For many students (and teachers too) one of the highlights of the school year is the Fun Fair. This is a great opportunity for the community, staff, parents and students to come together in fun and fellowship. The Bridgenorth Ennismore Lakefield Rotary Club was a part of this fun filled event at Chemong P.S. The club set up an axe throwing station where students and parents alike could test their skills. Thank you to Courtney Usborne for organizing this and to Rotarians Mike Richardson, Kim Whynot, Janet Markham and Wilf Gray for making it happen.
The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International. Funds from the Rotary Foundation support programs around the world to save and invigorate lives and enhance international friendships and understanding.
It is seen in the:
- mother whose child will have life saving polio drops and be spared the scourge of this horrible disease.
- father in Nepal whose child will have safe drinking water.
- children in our community who will have the gift of a book to read and families who enjoyed Christmas with all the trimmings.
It is monetary gifts that make this work possible. BEL Rotarian Christopher Tworkowski and posthumously his wife Jennifer, were recognized as major donors to the foundation, at the recent BEL meeting. They realize the impact the foundation has on lives and have given generously. In addition to their ongoing giving, there is also provision in their wills to support the foundation and continue their legacy of giving.
Thank you Christopher and Jennifer, thanks to you the world has become one step closer to peace and understanding.
The BEL Rotary Bridgenorth Trail is enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike. There are very few times when you can’t find people (often with their dogs) walking the trail. As part of their commitment to the environment, BEL Rotary was a partner in developing the trail and continue their involvement as Stewards of the Trail. As part of the April Spring Clean up, Rotarians Bob and Lynn Fawcett walked the trail to pick up garbage and recycling and to make note of any maintenance/repairs that are needed.
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