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.