When the pandemic hit our Club faced a number of challenges. One of which was that our normal fundraising activities (Casinos and Wine Tasting fundraiser) had to be cancelled. We did not have the source of funds that we  were used to to fund our charitable activities.

We could not participate in many of the community charitable activities like the Mustard Seed meal prep etc,

Gary Smith is in the front lines of our educational system and he identified an urgent need in some of our schools in less affluent neighbourhoods. Many of the charities that had been providi9ng meals for their students were unable to do so because of the pandemic  but kids were still coming to school hungry. Gary thought that our club could help. We could  purchase prepackaged food and put together lunch bags for the kids that could be distributed in a covid safe manner.

GATEWAY Rotary has taken on Gary’s challenge. We raised funds from private donations and from a bottle drive. To date we have purchased, packaged and delivered 1800 food packages to the following schools;

This is a great story of the generosity and  impact of our little Club. We need, however to extend our thanks for the efforts of our members who have made this project a success;

The Club members who attended our only in person meeting during the pandemic at the McKay school who helped package 400 lunches for the Prince Charles school

   

 

 

Our club has provided scholarships to graduating high school students each year.

 

Our Youth Director, Jamie Pallett, has conducted a reviewed and revised the criteria we will use to select recipients .

 

This year we will be providing three scholarships to high school students.  One to a student attending a public high school (Harry Ainlay this year), one to a student attending a catholic high school (to be determined) and one to a student (20 yrs +) completing high school through some sort of support agency.

 

We will attempt to set the annual scholarship financial amount as $1000.  

 

The recipient criteria is as follows 

 

1.  Historical GPA range of 50 to 75 percent

2.  Perceives education positively, is in good standing with the school and is enrolling in University in September 2021.  

2.  Has experience (within the last 16 months) of organizing or participating in some type of voluntary community service work (can not be an experience related to school course requirement).

3.  Is an active participant in a sport and/or arts and/or theatre   

4.  Is dealing with a personal challenge that stems from a situation that is beyond their control (i.e.: health, family, etc)

5.  Is able to indicate how the financial support will help them move closer to a personal goal or achievement.

 

Nominations will be accepted until April 30th.  Recipients will be chosen in May and the scholarships awarded in June.

 

 

 

There were 7 dedicated members who attended our Zoom meeting on April 7 2021.

We did not have a speaker again this week.

We had a discussion around the new lockdown rules and the vaccine roll out.

Jamie brought the new scholarship plan and criteria to the club. 

Pat announced that 200 more lunches were delivered to the Lauderdale school. That is great work Pat.

An invitation to the ECF Donor appreciation day was sent yesterday (if you didn't get it, check your junk folder).  Sunday May 16, at either 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. you are invited to an in-person drive-in to view the comedic group The Debaters.  Snacks provided and there will be roving entertainment prior to the show.  All participants must stay in their car.  Sound will be via FM transmitter.  If you do not wish to attend in person you can watch online at 7 p.m.

Everyone was asked what is one thing they are looking forward to when COVID is over.  Pat is looking forward to a river Cruise in Asia, Doug would like to visit with his son, Brian H. would like a nice meal in a restaurant. Brian LI desperately wants to meet his grandson, Francis, who was born in February this year.

It was a quick meeting - over by 8 a.m.

Cindy was absent, she had another death in the family.  Her cousin Gary who contributed to our school lunch program.  Condolences to her at this time.