Stories
PNW PETS Rotary is a wonderful organization for people who want to make a difference in the world, but it also is an organization that creates and empowers those people to be leaders within the organization. |
RYLA VI volunteer receives recognitionLong time volunteer Stephen Cochrane with RYLA Vancouver Island receives recognition from the District Governor Caleb Summerfelt and District Youth Services Chair Brian Mathers.
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Annual Event receives Kinesiology AwardThe winner of the Kinesiology Event/Initiative of the Year is Fitness in the Park, executed by Rachel Robertson of Return To Form Kinesiology and Pilates. Through the fourth year of this annual event, Rachel raised $800 towards the mental wellness trail and made connections and partnerships with other businesses for this health and fitness education event. .
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Golf Fundraiser 2021 |
Fitness in the Park FundraiserA great example how as Rotarian's, we can use our day jobs to the benefit of our community. One of our members who is a kinesiologist arranged a COVID friendly outdoor fitness session as a fundraiser to help us support good causes in our area.
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Working at Cambie ParkRotary Club of Lantzville helps ‘secure’ a community playground! As well as serving as the Cambie Road (Nanaimo) Block Watch Captain, Shirley Gremyachev, is driving force behind her neighbourhood association, leading the way to develop a playground for the growing number of young people in her community. Working with the City of Nanaimo, through their Partners in Parks Program (PIP), she found local support including donations in-kind, and moved forward with plans for the playground. Shirley approached our Club in September 2018 for some financial help, and we were happy to make a small donation on the condition that we be given the opportunity to provide some hands-on help at an appropriate time. A couple of weekends ago (January 11th), it all came together. Work on the park had progressed sufficiently that some good old “grunt labour” was required. Shirley had organized a few local residents to help and provide mid-morning snacks. Mother Nature, despite some ugly (cold and wet) weather early in the week provided a “window of opportunity”. Half-a-dozen members of the Rotary Club of Lantzville volunteered their time and energy (and shovels and wheel barrows) to build a cedar split-rail fence around the playground – providing some much appreciated security for the kids already using the basketball half-court and hockey net. Under some supervision from Scott (City Parks) we had a productive morning - digging post holes through rock, gravel and dirt, setting and securing the posts; then tying in the rails. The finished product looked pretty darn good – we thought. Shirley seemed pleased. Her final e-mail on the project summed it up: “Wow, what a great Saturday morning. The weather was perfect, just enough volunteers showed up, 6 from Lantzville Rotary and five from our Block watch. Our Co-captain provided two large pots of hot coffee, neighborhood ladies provided fruit, cookies, muffins, Timbits and deep fried chicken. Scott Newlands from Nanaimo city parks was amazing at organizing and showing the volunteers how to assemble the fence. With such a happy, willing attitude among all who came out the fence was up within 4 1/2 hours. A million thanks to all those that have supported this Cambie Park project since day one...” A little bit cold and dirty, we Rotarians left with a feeling that we’d provided a good service to a small part of our community. |
Easter Egg Hunt (2019)Once more Mother Nature cooperated - and the local children enjoyed another Easter Egg Hunt organized by the Rotary Club of Lantzville behind Seaview School in Lantzville on Easter Sunday. Willing volunteers (Rotarians and friends), patient parents (some new and some returning again (and again)). Lots of energetic kids. Made for a great couple of hours.
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Breakfast with Santa - 2018Way back in December, we hosted another Breakfast with Santa in the Costin Hall in Lantzville. Lots of Rotarians and friends to set up the hall. Lots of patient parents and grandparents. And LOTS of excited children. It was a great way to spend a morning.
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Three New Members!!!Over the past few weeks, we have inducted 3 more new members into our Club: Rachel Robertson - is a kinesiologist and pilates instructor who owns her own business in Nanaimo. Lee Rowley - is an engineer who works with Herold Engineering in Naniamo. Stephen Cochrane - is a social worker with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Vancouver Island. Mark (Director for Memberhip) on the left and Jan (our President) on the right welcome Rachel into our Club. The members of the Club welcome Lee (in the blue shirt) and Stephen (with the short haircut).
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New Member Yesterday, September 20th, we inducted a new member into our Club. Greg Devenish is a retired school principal who wanted to get involved in his/our community - and what better way than through Rotary. Mark (our Director, Membership) on the left did a find job with the induction, helped by Randy (Greg's sponsor) on the right. Then, we all gave Greg a warm welcome. He's already volunteered to help Jodie with Youth Services and will be coming out for our monthly breakfast at the 7-10 Club on Saturday. |
The Rotary FoundationThe Rotary Foundation (TRF) was created so that Rotarians could do good in the world. It is supported, mainly, by contributions by Rotarians. It is right and proper that their support is appropriately recognized. Recently, our Club awarded Paul Harris Fellows to 5 of our members - recognizing their significant and ongoing support of the Rotary Foundation - which, in turn, helps us do good in our community (our current Sanala Playground Project is funded, in part, by a TRF grant) and internationally (most recently, providing sewing machines to a village in Guatemala).
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Membership up by 10%!!It was a good week for our Club as we inducted 3 new members. October 12th, at our regular morning meeting, we inducted Mark Taylor - a general contractor and resident of Lantzville. A few days later, at a multi-club BBQ, District Governor Tom Carroll lead the induction of Jodie Williams (a retired teacher, wife of one of our current members, and also a resident of Lantzville) and Michael Ribicic (a student at VIU and a member of the Rotaract Club of Nanaimo). We now have 30 active members in our Club but there is plenty of room for more. If you're interested in Rotary - come and check us out Thursday morning (6:40AM) at the ABC Restaurant on Mary Ellen Drive in Nanaimo. Membership Chair James looks on as President Lorie explains some of the finer points of Rotary to new member Mark Taylor. Under the watchful(?) eyes of James and Lorie (on the left), District Governor Tom (right) leads the induction of our newest members, Michael Ribicic and Jodie Williams. |
Rotarians at WorkSeptember 30th. Several members of the Rotary Club of Lantzville, with a few partners & friends, spent a busy Saturday at Habitat for Humanity's building site in south Nanaimo - digging some holes (and filling them in), cleaning up the site (lots of old lumber and bramble bushes), preparing a garage for a concrete floor (nice & level), and doing a lot of work on the site for a playground. A few aches & pains at the end of the day, but it was good Rotary fellowship and a worthy contribution of service to our community. Thanks to Country Grocer for providing the food that kept us going...
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Serving Breakfast for the Less FortunateAugust 26th - Last Saturday, we marked a bit of a milestone - serving our 28th monthly breakfast at the 7-10 Club in Nanaimo to 200+ clients looking for a hot meal to get their weekend started. With funds from our Community Gaming Grant, we purchase eggs (with peppers & onions), sausages, bread/jam/peanut butter, pancake mix and coffee;then cook everything fresh on site and provide table service. It takes up to 15 Rotarians (and spouses, family and friends) working like a well-oiled machine to make the breakfast good and the morning go by quickly. Of course, there are always lots of dirty dishes to do and the final clean up... But, everybody keeps smiling! |
Youth Exchange Students August 31 - The 5 Rotary Clubs of Nanaimo/Lantzville welcomed 5 students participating in the Rotary Youth Exchange program at a Beer & Burger event at the Nanaimo Hornets Rugby Club. Three of the young people are "Inbound" students who have just arrived in Nanaimo and will be spending the upcoming school year here: "Coco" from Taiwan, "Bia" from Brazil and Peter from Hungary. Also, two students returning home after spending last year as "Outbound" students: Morgan who went to Italy and Samuel who went to Italy. And, Katie who as one of five "Outbound" students will be spending the next 0 months in Germany - learning the language and culture, making friends, going to school, and exploring Europe. We extend a warm welcome to Coco, Bia and Peter - and hope they will come to one of our morning meetings, soon.
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2017 Rotarian of the Year At our Installation Evening at Fairwinds last Tuesday - we said "Thank-you" to President Don White for his leadership and patience over the past year and welcomed our new President, Melina Snyder and her Officers and Directors for 2017-2018. Don's last task, as outgoing President, was to select and announce the Rotarian of the Year for 2016-2017. He did a great job, selecting Harry Helfrich. Harry has been our Club Treasurer for (many) years, was the primary organizer behind our successful beer tent and hot dog stand at Foam Fest last month, and is an active supporter of all the Club's activities. A worthy recipient, indeed, of our Rotarian of the Year. Congratulations Harry.
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Helping our CommunityAre you part of a local organization in Lantzville, Nanaimo or Nanoose Bay that could use some financial help? We invite you to fill in this online application for funding.
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TAIL GATE PARTYMany thanks to all who supported our first [Annual?] Tail Gate Party in Nanaimo on July 17th.
- the VI Raiders Junior Football Team.
- generous corporate sponsors.
- many members of the Rotary Club of Lantzvile and spouses and friends - many of whom contributed many hours to a successful event.
- and 'YOU' for coming to the party, brining food for the Loaves and Fishes Foodbank (over 1100 lbs donated), making a financial contribution to our club (which will go towards our monthly breakfast at the 7-10 Club) and buying some burgers and beer. THANKS.
See some photos under "Stories".
See you next year - same place but time and date depending on the Riders, Lions and CFL.
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Breakfast Club Prepares BreakfastThis fall The Rotary Club of Lantzville piloted a new program.To assist homeless people in Nanaimo we are working with the John Howard Society breakfast program. One Saturday each month we use the facilities provided by the 7 - 10 Club to feed from 200 to 400 people. It has been fun to work with a good group of people on this program and very rewarding to know that we are helping people who are truly in need. |
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Polio EradicationWho would set a goal to defeat a pernicious disease and wipe it from the face of the earth? Who would tackle such an outrageous goal, set a timetable for achieving it and then work toward making it come true? Rotary did! |
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Polio Immunization Day in Africa |
President's MessageWelcome to the web site of the Rotary Club of Lantzville. Our club has just completed 25 years of service to our local community here in the Lantzville-Nanaimo-Nanoose region of Vancouver Island, Canada. Over that time we have built parks, playgrounds and other community facilities. We have contributed to the large public facilities that make life in our community better and we have embraced the larger community outside our national borders by taking on projects in Africa, Mexico and the Philippines. However, I am most proud of the work which we have done on smaller projects for needy individuals. Our members have been quick to step forth when people needed a little help to overcome some of life’s hurdles. We have reached out to people in medical emergencies, listened to young readers, purchased running shoes for children in need and provided drivers for people unable to supply their own transportation. Our club is a hands-on club which has planted flowers, cleaned gardens, painted fences and decorated child care space. We have cooked hamburgers, hot dogs and pancakes; made breakfast, hidden Easter eggs and gathered food for the needy. Through all of these projects we have maintained a sense of fun and enjoyment. Our club has developed a camaraderie through these work projects that is always evident in our meetings. Members of the Rotary Club of Lantzville are committed to providing service to our community, but to have fun while doing it. Over the coming year we will continue to put “Service before self” as we work to make our community a better place. While doing so, we will reach out to others to form new partnerships and to attract new members. Perhaps you will be able to help us in some way with our work! If you get a chance to join us for breakfast, please do so. We are always happy to have guests, whether members of other Rotary Clubs or interested individuals. In fact, be careful. When you see how much fun we have you might decide to join our club! |
Mark Your Calendars!
Annual Summer BBQ at Tucker Cove -- Sunday, July 28th. More details, soon, from Jim T
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Visit to VMACJust to show that Rotary is not all about working, we have our fun too. On October 28, we paid a visit to VMAC, a Nanaimo company doing high tech manufacturing with sales all around the world. VMAC produces a leading edge Vehicle Mounted Air Compressor which is used by businesses which need a reliable source of compressed air in their work. That |
New School Opens at Boys and Girls ClubThis summer the Boys and Girls Club became home for a new school supported by the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre. The school is aimed at off reserve primary students living in the city of Nanaimo and is supported by a public school district. In this way it answers to and is supported by the provincial department of education. Our Rotary Club has long been a supporter of the Boys and Girls Club because of the great work it has done and wanted to be a supporter of the new school because of its potential to help so many young people. To this end we agreed to supply labour to redo the exterior of the Boys and Girls Club building to make it a more suitable home for both its tenants. Our carpenters and gardeners had a great day working in the warm summer sun helping to make our community a better place. |