Ian Riseley, President of Rotary International, asked each of the 85,000 Rotary Clubs to considering planting one tree for each of 1.2 million members worldwide for World Earth day.  Rotary Club of Grimsby joined with other local Rotary Clubs to plant Breadfruit Trees in underdeveloped countries with an expected 500 trees to be planted.  Our Clubs 35 trees will be planted in Haiti  being one of the poorest countries and where an effort is underway to restore the agricultural sector.  Rotary has partnered with The Trees That Feed Foundation and the cost was $15 US per tree.

 

Breadfruit trees is one of the highest yielding food plants with a single tree producing up to 200 or more grapefruit-sized fruit and is a staple food in many tropical regions.

 

This is a wonderful project as these trees will improve the environment while providing food for a local population in a very poor country.

 

 

 Past President Clarence McCloskey, on the right, and his neighbor Ben Orszulak updating Rotary Clock to LED lighting.

The Rotary Club donated $9,000 to a group of twelve local charities at our dinner meeting on February 16th. The funds were raised from the annual Fantasy of Trees event. A wonderful and rewarding evening was enjoyed by all in attendance;it was especially gratifying to hear of the good work being done in the community by these local charities. Pictured are representatives of the various organization. President of Rotary, Jim Howden is standing on the extreme right, Roger Bradley, Chair of Fantasy of Trees is on the extreme left and Gerry Vandermolen, Director Community Service , is the tallest person at the rear.

The speaker at our meeting on February 2nd was Mike Hahn who is very active with the Migrant Farm Workers Project which is operated out of St Albion Church in Beamsville.  The Migrant Farm workers is primarily directed at the 600 Spanish migrant workers that work on the surrounding farms and greenhouses but migrant workers from other countries are also assisted. The initial program focus was providing donated bikes to the workers so that they have a means of transportation. The bikes are refurbished before being provided ,together with helmets, bike lights and reflective vests, to the workers.  The program now offers suitable clothing to new arrivals, a volunteer driver pool, ESL training and other programs. Church Services are provided in Spanish and community Sunday night meals are provided together with transportation in order to address issues related to a feeling of isolation. The program receives considerable support from various local Partners and Sponsors.  The local farms and greenhouses are an important driver of the local economy and the positive impact that these workers contribute goes largely unnoticed.

In addition to being a passionate supporter of the Migrant Farmworkers Project Mike is a Rotarian . He was a member of this club for many years and is now a member of the Rotary club of Lincoln since relocating to Beamsville. 

Pictured above is a group of volunteers unloading donated bikes for refurbishing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the annual Christmas Dinner on December 15th the club was honored to induct two new members into the Club. Seen here is Charter Member, Alan Goddard; President Jim Howden, new members Bas Opdenkelder and Kathryn Drury.

Rotary Club of Grimsby was honored to present Barry and Linda Coutts with Paul Harris Fellowship Awards . The presentation was made on Thursday September 22nd at a dinner held at the Casablanca Winery, Grimsby.

 

The couples efforts in restoring the 220 year old Nelles Manor over 40 plus years and turning it over to a Trust for the enjoyment of future generations exemplifies the Rotary's Motto of "Service above Self". Both Barry and Linda Coutts  have been active in many community organizations since moving to Grimsby 50 years ago.

 

From left to right is Rotarian Shirley Martin; Linda Coutts, District Governor 7090 Marlee Diehl, Barry Coutts, President Jim Howden and Assistant Governor Margaret Andrewes.