In order to earn attendance points for our last "meeting", Rotarians were challenged to share a happy thought:
Please note that the Kinky Boots Theatre Getaway scheduled for April 4, 2020 has been cancelled in lieu of recent COVID-19 developments & we are awaiting a rescheduled date. Please visit Drayton Entertainment for a full statement. We appreciate the efforts taken to keep our communities safe and wish everyone well during this trying time.
Our 26th Annual Lobster & Ribfest is coming up on May 30, 2020. Want more information? Please visit our Lobster & Ribfest website
Though we continue to support the effort to flatten the curve by staying inside, the Rotary Club of Dundas is continuing to "meet"!
3
Comments
These are difficult and very unusual days for the world, and we must take care.
Part of our national caution required us to cancel Rotary events until the end of March and practicing social distance to reduce COVID-19’s spread.
We remind ourselves of Rotary’s very fine motto - "Service above Self’. Being sensible and cautious is about service as we don’t want to spread the virus to others – however there are practical ways that we can still serve:
- We can make a phone call to those we know are shut in; or.
- We can ask a local church or Dundas Community Services for a name and number of someone who seems alone to call; or,
- We can send an email to those we know who are working on the front line –medical, emergency responders and people working in shelters, grocery stores and pharmacies. Let them know we appreciate their efforts.
As our enforced rest starts, we likely will enjoy finally being able to give attention to the several projects we have around our homes. By the time we enter the second week, however, I suspect everyone will be tiring of the ‘isolation’. That becomes the perfect time to sharpen our ‘service’ skills – think of ways to bring cheer to people in our community.
I look forward to you sharing practical and helpful ideas here. Even under the circumstances, there is something we can do as a Rotary Club that could make a difference. All ideas are welcome!
Meanwhile - take care, follow the cautionary steps and we’ll soon be meeting again.
Marguerite
At our March 3 meeting, we prepared the Club for International Women’s Day by having Lenore Lukasik-Foss, Director for Barrett Centre for Crisis Support from the Good Shepherd as our guest. Lenore has over 30 years of experience working with women.
Following her spirited presentation, we introduced the idea of sharing a few gifts to recognize some leading women in our community on International Women’s Day. The photos show the candle that we sent, including a greeting that indicated how much the Club appreciates the ‘light’ they share through their commitment to Dundas.
Added to their gifts, we provided a second candle requesting them to encourage a younger woman, in the spirit of this year’s theme - bridging generations.
Several recipients have sent ‘thank you’ messages, acknowledging how much they appreciated being remembered, adding their interaction with the younger women they chose to champion. Those Rotarians who delivered the packages also reported how much they enjoyed connecting with community women on behalf of the Club.
This Valentine's Day, the Rotary Club of Dundas worked to spread the message of love and kindness in our community. Rotarians put together small gifts for several seniors in the Dundas community containing a few treats (chocolate, toffee, and cookies) and personal items (toothpaste, toothbrushes), hand delivered to each person.
Rotarian Sarena and guest busily wrap gifts for distribution.
Rotary Club of Dundas President Marguerite and guest contributing to the wrapping frenzy.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the efforts. A reflection from Rotarian Jennifer on the experience: "Just a little shout out that spreading a bit of happiness can really go a long way! I was fortunate enough to spend some time this afternoon with an elderly woman in my neighbourhood, through a lovely Valentine's Day initiative with our Rotary Club & Dundas Community Services. I heard all about her life, her (now deceased) husband and she showed me lots of photos. Great memories The gifts that I dropped off "made her day" and I'll be sure to visit with her again! We're never too busy, too young, too old, too near, too far, too rich or too poor to reach out and be kind ️#spreadthelove #rotaryclubofdundas #lovedundas"
