Our planned hybrid meeting was changed to zoom only at the last minute (okay, hours) as President Leon tested positive for COVID and wanted to keep it to himself. He suspects a retirement party with 130 people may have been the source of the virus, though he also had a family dinner for some Danish celebration or food that he can pronounce and I can’t even try to spell. Regrets were received from Anthony, Nora, Rudy, Veronica and Lana. We heard later that Antonio had missed the email message and had shown up at Timms. Sorry about that.
We have an opportunity for some hands-on service, as LCSS would like assistance cleaning up their back yard where the floods caused damage. That’s where the gardens and playground equipment are located. Please let Wayne know if you are interested in participating, what days and times you have available, and arrangements will be made. Scholarship winner Clary Lee will be joining us next week, with more to come soon..
Our discussions included more concern about the hassle traveling back to our country, with federal vaccine cards, provincial vaccine cards, records of immunization, and while not testing positive, being threatened with police coming to your door to arrest you and being assigned a fourteen day quarantine period. We heard about Telus problems (I don’t hear any good things about Telus customer service), and that in Costco in the U.S., only seniors seem to be wearing masks, and they are mostly Canadians. Many of us are glad to be rid of the masks, though some are still being cautious.
At the crack of 7:10 the meeting was called to order and a version of O Canada played at the Bell Centre was shared. With Stanley Cup Playoffs underway, this hockey-related version was quite appropriate. Our club has received three banners which Leon proudly displayed on his computer screen: for our being #3 in the district in per capita giving to TRF, for having every member donating, and for reaching Paul Harris Fellow status for the club. Certificates congratulated us for giving financial support to the End Polio Now: Countdown to History Campaign, and for contributing $6369 through the GolFUN fundraising initiatives. Well-done, everyone!
Talking about banners, former member Willie Black was scanning all the banners so we would have a digital copies. What happened to that venture? We also received three cheques: $572 for Foundation, plus one for $40 and another for $1000 from canadahealth.org. Lucky us. We still need a coordinator for the 50-50 Draw, someone to encourage members to sell tickets, as well as volunteers to sell tickets on location. Call Leon if you are able to assist. The locks on the RIC have been changed so we need to get a copy of the new one.
Before the war in Ukraine, Rotaractor Oksana Havryliv was a student in international relations and had been pursuing a master's degree in political science. She dreamed of becoming a diplomat and representing her country. But "that all changed on February 24 when Russia invaded my country, and the bombs began to fall".
“My life has changed drastically, and I feel it will never be like it was. Before all this, I actually loved the subject of history in school, and believed that the world had learned from its two bloody world wars in the 20th century. History wouldn’t repeat itself with another brutal war in Europe, right? Sadly, no.
My mother and I decided to act by creating a hub to funnel humanitarian aid. The bureaucracy of communicating with non-governmental organizations in Europe and the U.S. was daunting and took a lot of time. But it didn’t stop us from our goal of helping civilian populations that were suffering from the war. The logistics of funneling supplies from European countries as well as to Ukrainian cities was difficult. Buses filled with our relief supplies were in constant danger from attacks by Russian military. The bus drivers knowingly risked their lives. They are heroes.
On March 26, my city was targeted by Russian aggression with missiles fired from the occupied city of Sevastopol. But we’re alive and still doing our thing. And so the story goes on. I have decided, as a true patriot, to stay in Ukraine. I have set aside everything: my job, my studies in Vienna, ordinary everyday life, and time with my own family. But we are driven by the conviction that the participation of each and every Ukrainian will lead us to victory. Because, “The truth is with us.”
Other updates
We heard that while nursing homes are again full of COVID, people (now immunized) are recuperating quickly. Wayne gave an update on the scholarship situation and from there we moved on to happy and sad dollars. Donations were made: for the breast-feeding woman chasing off the eagle that was after her goose; for Marina and her bravery on Russian television; for getting (wish he could forget) a $2500 repair bill from the car dealership; crappy COVID (is there any other kind?); for a granddaughter excited about getting a good used bike (where can you get rid of old ones that need repair?); and for the Ukrainian situation. Each member was asked to share thoughts on that war, and comments included two own goals by Putin, Ukraine remembering Stalin and famine, Navalny poisoned by underwear, don’t shoot back, how do you deal with a bully, hoping Russia would not secure a land bridge cutting off Ukrainian ports, and then somehow on to visiting Salisbury Cathedral and the British pronunciation of that English town’s name.
A toast to Canada and our meeting was toast. Have a great week!
