Sunshine Coast Rotary president, Terry Miller presents Jacques O'Lanterne (aka the Scarecrow) to our special guest, 5040 District Governor,
Jan Gisborne in honour of her visit to our Club meeting. Happy Halloween!
Comox Advocate Brings Dignity to Girls Worldwide
The Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast welcomed Lois North of Days for Girls Canada this week, and her story reminded us just how powerful grassroots action can be. North, who leads the Comox team and sits on the national board, works with volunteers to sew and distribute reusable menstrual kits—complete with soap, underwear, and education—across the globe.
On September 14th, 2025 Rotary enjoyed the privilege of serving a Salmon Dinner to the Cops for Cancer riders.
Service Above Self: Sunshine Coast Rotary Fuels the Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast
Each year, the Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast makes its way across British Columbia, with police officers and emergency service personnel cycling hundreds of kilometres to raise funds for childhood cancer research and support programs like Camp Goodtimes. It’s a moving display of dedication and compassion—and on the Sunshine Coast, the riders are met with a special Rotary tradition that embodies Service Above Self.
A Warm Rotary Welcome
When the riders roll into Camp Olave, they know they’ll be greeted with more than applause. For over a decade, the Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast has hosted a salmon barbecue in their honour. Complete with fresh salmon, lasagna, vegan chili, a variety of salads prepared by members, and desserts, the meal has become one of the highlights of the tour.
This is Rotary in action: providing not just food, but fellowship, care, and encouragement for those giving their all in the fight against childhood cancer.
The Spirit of Rotary in Action
For dedicated Rotarian Frank Havis, the dinner is a reminder of the connections Rotary builds.
“We’ve all been touched by cancer in some way. Sharing a meal with the riders is uplifting—it’s our way of saying we’re with you on this journey. The gratitude we receive is overwhelming.”
Rotary Club President Terry Miller highlighted how the tradition reflects the very heart of Rotary service.
“It feels wonderful to give back to the community. Year after year, the riders tell us how much they look forward to the salmon dinner. It’s joy, not a burden, to serve them.”
Both comments speak to the essence of Rotary: service that uplifts, builds goodwill, and strengthens bonds within the community and beyond.
Partners in Service
Rotary doesn’t do it alone. The following morning, the Lions Club steps in with a pancake breakfast before the cyclists continue their journey. Together, these service clubs demonstrate how collaboration amplifies impact—another reminder that “it takes a society” to tackle challenges as great as cancer.
Why This Matters for Rotarians
This event is more than a barbecue—it’s Rotary at its best. It shows the community that Rotary is present, engaged, and committed to making a difference. It also reminds us, as Rotarians, of the incredible reach of our collective efforts: local service that ties directly into global causes like cancer research and child wellness.
Moments like these are opportunities to live our motto, Service Above Self, and to inspire others to join Rotary in creating positive change.
Learn More & Get Involved
The Cops for Cancer campaign is a powerful example of what happens when communities rally together. To support the riders or learn more about the campaign, visit copsforcancer.ca.
If you’d like to learn more about how the Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast serves our community—or if you’re inspired to join—visit us at rotarysunshinecoast.org.
A Call to Action: Join Rotary
Are you looking for a way to make a real difference in your community and beyond? Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and leaders united by a simple but powerful idea: together, we can create lasting change.
The Sunshine Coast Rotary is proud to serve locally and contribute to international projects, but we’re always looking for more helping hands and big hearts. Whether your passion is youth, education, health, or community building, Rotary gives you the chance to lead and serve.
👉 Find out more about our club at rotarysunshinecoast.org or discover a Rotary club nearest you by visiting rotary.org.
Join us, and be part of something bigger.
Guest speaker presenting on his attending at the Adventure In Citizenship program at Ottawa. The weekly meeting was held this week ate the Gibsons Public Market where we ere also joined by the President of the Rotary Club of Gibsons.
The old Service Club sign needed repainting. Frank, Terry, John & Tanya cleaned, sanded and repainted the sign.
Rotary Members Sarah Johnston of Pender, Nick Taylor of Sechelt, President Bob Cotter of Gibsons and President Michael McKenzie of Sunshine Coast Rotary Clubs prepare to cut the cake in celebration of Rotary's 120th Birthday.
Rotary Sunshine Coast member Laurean Reid talks fire safety and High Visibility House Signs with Rotary Pender Harbour member Lorraine Wareham.
The Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast presents Whisky Tasting 2024. Click "Read More" for more information.
It was Big Digger Day at the Heidelberg Materials Open House, and Rotary Sunshine Coast was there.
Rotary Sunshine Coast President Michael McKenzie and Darcy Long at the 56th Annual Halfmoon Bay Fair
The Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast presents Whisky Tasting 2023. Click "Read More" for more information.
It was wonderful to again serve the Salmon Dinner to the Cops For Cancer riders and their support people. Their appreciation was mentioned to numerous times. Their enthusiasm and energy was so wonderful to see! 
Bernice, principal of Lower Yatta, and the 22 "Daughters of Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast Society" 2021
The Rotary Club Sunshine Coast-Sechelt Society is pleased to announce that sufficient funding has been provided for 106 scholarships for the students of Lower Yatta and Kyaithani Secondary Schools.
When the two Sechelt Rotary Clubs decided to tackle the job of restoring the Sechelt Skate park, next to Chatelech High School, we didn't quite realize just how much we had bitten off. Thankfully, local businesses and friends stepped up to help. We learned a valuable lesson from this: It may take a village to raise a child... but it also takes a village to restore a skate park.
Rotarian Bob Michor and volunteers cleaned out cracked and heaving concrete at the Rotary Skateboard Park in Sechelt, which marks the beginning of a massive cleanup project by the Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast.
Will you help us to build an off-leash dog park shelter?
The Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast is teaming up with the District of Sechelt to finish a new off-leash dog park on Ebbtide Street in Sechelt. The club hopes to raise at least $4,000 to build a shelter in the park by giving away “doggie bags” loaded with treats, toys and coupons in exchange for donations. Please 'Read More' for details...
Our 2019-2020 Rotary Exchange Student, Carla Villalobos, recently returned to her parents in Mexico. While she is happy to be back with her family and friends, she won’t say she is home, "Because I feel that now, here is also home to me."
Every year, the Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast and the Rotary Club of Sechelt awards four $1,000 school district bursaries to deserving Grade 12 students in the community who are going on to attend university. Here are some thank you letters we received from this year’s recipients.
Students at Project Amigo school in Mexico gather to say goodbye to Terry Miller and Margaret Acton of the Rotary Club of Sunshine Coast.
Sharon McDonald, David Connors, Georgia Doyle and Tanya Hall work the table outside Claytons. Rotary Club's food bank initiative has collected more than $2,000 so far.
Fiorenza Leonardo is a former Sunshine Coast Rotary Exchange Student who lives in Naples, This is her account of what it is like under quarantine in one of the world’s coronavirus hotspots:
P.O. Box 318
Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0
Canada