Sunrise Rotarians and partners enjoying dinner together to celebrate the Christmas season on November 28, 2024.President
Co-President
Treasurer
Past President
Secretary
Membership Chair
Foundation Chair
Cashier and Casino Coordinator
Sergeant At Arms
Speakers and Socials Coordinator
Welcome to Sunrise Rotary! New members and guests are always welcome!
Sunrise Rotarians and partners enjoying dinner together to celebrate the Christmas season on November 28, 2024.
Michelle, Pam, and Teresa from the Ignite satellite club volunteering at the Terry Fox Run, organized by the Sunrise and Ignite clubs on September 15, 2024. A record $22,500 was raised for the Terry Fox Foundation.
A great way to start the new Rotary year with a visit from DG Christina, who presented the new RI banner for 2024-25 to our new co-Presidents, Bonnie and Clare. July 2, 2024
The club's year-end celebration and draws for the fundraising raffles were held in Karen's beautiful backyard on a warm evening, June 25, 2024.
The annual get-together to plant flowers at the east entrance to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital took place on a windy June 7. Participating: Sharon (Saamis), Sharlene (Ignite), Karen (Sunrise), Heather (Sunrise), Dawn (Saamis), and Keith (Sunrise); Sharla (Sunrise) was there too but was the photographer. June 14, 2024.June 25th was a lucky day for a couple of people! Deidre G won the raffle for 2 Kona e-bikes! Norma M won our 50/50 draw! Congratulations to the winners! And thank you to all for supporting our raffles!
The Rotary Ignite (satellite club of Sunrise) had a fun booth at the Rise Up hot air balloon festival in Kin Coulee Park. Their mini-balloon (like the one in the movie "Up") was a hit with kids of all ages, as Keith and Val show here, and the cotton candy and other treats were popular. May 24, 2024.
Co-Presidents Bill Cooper and Keith Walker present a cheque to Mo Cranker, with Medicine Hat Tourism, in support of school groups riding the 'Sunshine Trolley' this spring, done in partnership with the Saamis Rotary Club. May 10, 2024.
Karen Charlton receives her multiple Paul Harris Award for her financial contribution to the Rotary Foundation. Very appropriate since Karen is the club's Foundation Coordinator. Co-President Keith Walker presents the pin to Karen, May 7, 2024.
With great thanks to the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association members, staff from the Co-Op, and members, spouses, children, friends of Sunrise Rotary the annual highway cleanup was a great success and fun. Our bit for the environment plus we supported the skateboarders with the funds raised. May 4, 2024
18 members and friends (plus a dog) of the 4 Rotary clubs in Medicine Hat (Rotary Ignite, Saamis, Sunrise, and Medicine Hat), walk together on the Sunrise Rotary Trail at the Medicine Hat College in recognition of International Women's Day and in support of the "Secret 3k Run/Walk" to support women and girls in Afghanistan and other areas of the world who are in danger. March 8, 2024.
The Sunrise club continues to support the Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneur Camp (RAYEC) with a matching District grant. Here Co-President Keith Walker presents the cheque to member Sean Blewett, with thanks to Sean for his 16 years of service to the camp. March 5, 2024.
Some members of the Sunrise club (Corrie, Clare, Gord, Sharla,. Keith, Karen, Bonnie, Renee) show off library cards as we support free memberships for 200 adults (kids are always free) in February 2024.
Carol Ann Cross-Roen, Head of Youth Services at the Medicine Hat Public Library receives a cheque from Keith Walker, Co-President, in support of the library's "Sunrise Rotary Ride the Road to Reading" program. The club proudly provides finances to support the literacy project with Grade Four students at the city schools.February 7, 2024.
Sunrise Rotary club member Danielle Elyse, with Canadian Humanitarian and the SERnina project, receives a cheque from Co-President Keith Walker in support of the work she and her group do with youth in Guatemala. January 23, 2024.
The club annually gives funds to help students at the Medicine Hat College, thanks to grants through the Rotary District. Here Tonielle Pavlovic, MHC, receives the cheque from Bill Cooper, Co-President of the Sunrise club. December 20, 2023.
The Sunrise and Ignite clubs organized the most successful Terry Fox Run in the history of the run's 43 years in Medicine Hat, with over 275 participants raising $20,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation and cancer research. Here some of the great registration team members pose with a life size cutout of Terry himself: Melanie, Cathy, Sharlene, and Bill. September 17, 2023.
The three smiling water station guys! Leo, Oliver, and Max with Keith, the chair of the Terry Fox Run organizing committee (and a life size cutout of Terry) pose after the run on September 17, 2023. Max and Oliver volunteered to thank the club for sponsoring them to the RAYEC camp in August (and Leo is a friend who helped out).
The flowers planted by members of the Sunrise, Ignite, and Saamis clubs in June at the entrance to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital look pretty in the sunset on September 12, 2023. Hope the deer family walking near by didn't stop to enjoy the taste of the flowers!
Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp held at Eagle's Nest Ranch in the Cypress Hills celebrated the 25th anniversary in August 2023. The camp was originally started by former Sunrise Rotary member Les Erickson and this year club member Sean Blewett was recognized for his 15 years of service to RAYEC. Pictured are two 13-year-old Medicine Hat participants sponsored by the Sunrise club, Max Williams and Oliver Walker, along with Oliver's Poppa and the Co-President of Sunrise, Keith Walker. August 19, 2023.
Sunrise members and spouses had fun on the Sunshine Trolley, thanks to Medicine Hat Tourism in appreciation to the club for sponsoring school groups during May and June. Karen, Jim, Renee, Keith, and Val - August 12, 2023
Co-President Bill Cooper presents a cheque to Rae-Ann Godfrey from the Miywasin Centre. The funds will be used to provide smudging kits for users of the Centre. July 13, 2023
Lots of prizes were given out to the students, parent, and teacher winners of the SUNRISE ROTARY RIDE THE ROAD TO READING program with the Medicine Hat Public Library. Here Sunrise members Karen and Keith give out one of the prizes to a happy grade four student! June 29, 2023.
Mo, Jace, and Bill with cheque from the Sunrise club to support school group rides on the Sunshine Trolley, through Medicine Hat Tourism. June 26, 2023.
Heather Koch was the happy winner of the raffle of two e-bikes and she was there in person at the club's 25th anniversary celebration when the draw was made!
Here she receives one of the bikes from the co-President Bill Cooper. June 20, 2023
Members from the Saamis, Ignite, and Sunrise clubs got together on June 6, 2023 to plant blue and yellow flowers (Rotary colours) at the Rotary Flower Bed at the Medicine Hat Hospital. Pictured: Sharon (Saamis), Sharlene (Ignite), Karen (Sunrise), Heather (Ignite), Teresa (Ignite), and Keith (Sunrise)
The Medicine Hat Skateboard Association is getting ready for the 2023 version of the "Beat The Heat" event to be held in Kin Coulee Park on Canada Day. Here Keith Walker, Co-President of the Sunrise club presents a cheque to the group to support their big competition and fun activity. Sunrise is proud to be a continuing supporter of this incredible group of young people.
Spring is in the air, and that means bikes will be on the streets soon! Get your tickets for 2 Kona e-bikes by connecting with a Sunrise Rotary member or by using the QR code. 
Members of the Sunrise, Ignite, and Saamis clubs plus friends participated in the Secret 3k Walk/Run as part of International Women's Day on March 8, 2023. It was a cold and snowy walk so the hot chocolate and other treats were most welcome! Altogether 17 people participated and raised funds for the Secret 3K event.
Clare Lindsay and Keith Walker were honoured to receive the Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal for their contributions to Rotary and for their other volunteer work. The reception, with family and friends celebrating, was held at the Cypress Club on January 26, 2023 with hosts Karen Charlton and Bill Cooper. 
The Sunrise club had a raffle at our recent social for a homemade charcuterie board, designed and made by Varley Wiseman. $300 was donated for generators for the UkraineSharla with the BEST gift of all :-) Watch out for the regifting next year!
Danielle with the cute "baby bassinet" gift!
Matching caps for the recently returned Australian travellers!
Clare with "wine in a cowboy boot" gift from the gift exchange.
Co-President Bill Cooper presents a cheque to the Chief Librarian of the Medicine Hat Public Library, Ken Feser, in order to fund 200 free library memberships, in the club's continuing support of literacy, reading, and libraries in our community. October 18, 2022.
Alberta Day, September 1, 2022: The District Governor, Steve Leavitt, and his wife Pat joined Rotarians from the Medicine Hat Rotary clubs and staff and students from Saamis Immigration - plus family members of both the Rotarians and the new immigrants. We went for a walk, guided by President Bill Cooper, along the Sunrise Rotary Trail, and then had treats supplied by the Sunrise club. 
The Sunrise and Medicine Hat clubs sponsored tours and treats for new immigrants at Saamis Immigration. Here is Keith Walker, Co-President, with the group of 30 visiting the Saamis Teepee on August 22, 2022.
Co-President Bill Cooper presents a cheque to Saamis Immigration to help fund rides for new immigrants on the Sunshine Trolley around Medicine Hat during the summer of 2022.
Sign at the Rotary Flower Bed at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital east entrance.
Members of the three Rotary clubs which sponsored the building of the Rotary flower bed at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital came together to plant flowers on July 5, 2022: Heather from Rotary Ignite, Sharon from the Saamis club, and Karen, Bill, and Keith from the Sunrise club. They had fun planting!
Bill Cooper, Sunrise Co-President, presents a cheque to Heather Bach, Rotary Ignite club member and the Executive Director of the Health Foundation. The Sunrise, Ignite, and Saamis clubs jointly provided funds to build the flower bed, located at the entrance to the hospital.
Winner of the Sunrise Rotary e-bikes, Renee Stolz, receives her prize from Cyclepath and the club co-Presidents. The winning ticket was drawn on June 21, 2022.Thanks to all who bought and sold tickets; the funds help the club to do good things in our community and around the world.
A group of Sunrise and Ignite club members had a tour and did some volunteer work at Prairie Gleaners on June 18, 2022.
Sharla, Keith, Val, Carmen, Bonnie, Sharlene, Bill (all saying "potato" to make us smile, after spending a few hours cutting potatoes!)
Sharla, Keith, Val, Carmen, Bonnie, Sharlene, Bill (all saying "potato" to make us smile, after spending a few hours cutting potatoes!)
Members of the Sunrise club (Danielle, Bill, Keith) presented a cheque to the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association in support of their "Beat the Heat" competition to be held on Canada Day at the skateboard park in Kin Coulee.
Members of the Rotary Ignite and the Sunrise club met jointly for the first time on March 31, 2022 when the District Governor, Martin Parnell and his wife Sue visited.
In early February 2022 the Sunrise Rotary Club participated in a tri-college "Rotary Den" student entrepreneurial competition in partnership with the Medicine Hat College. Students from Olds College and Bow Valley college as well as Rotarians from Olds and the Calgary-Heritage Park club also took part. The club donated $1500 for prizes, matched by the college so that the winner received $2000 and the runner-up $1000.
Pictured are Amanda Dyck, first place finisher with her "Hempte Food;" Keith Walker from the Sunrise club; Chad Flinn, Dean of the School of Trades and Technology; Lexie MacGregor, second place finisher with "Lexie's Pet Care;" and Christie Wilson, Entrepreneurship Advising and Outreach at Medicine Hat College
Sunrise Rotary provides funding to the Medicine Hat College for student scholarships. Pictured with the donation is Tonielle Pavlovic with the college and Keith Walker, Co-President of the Sunrise club. Despite what the cheque says, this was March 2022!
The beginning of July brings change in the Rotary world: new theme, new executive, new budgets, and more. Many thanks to Clare Lindsay who served as our president for the last 2 years leading us through the uncharted waters of a pandemic, embracing technology for meetings, a new structure for our club executive and board and still managing to get us steered in the right direction to have profitable fundraisers and continue the club legacy in promoting literacy in many forms to all ages in many areas locally and globally. Thank you! We welcome our co-presidents, Bill Cooper and Keith Walker who look forward to continuing to guide us in doing the fantastic work that Rotary is 
known for.
known for.
These days we meet differently, but it is still great to connect and share the work that Rotary does. Today we are thankful that Dave Panabaker could join us as one of his last responsibilities as Assistant District Governor. We appreciate all that you have done Dave, and wish you the best! We are also excited to announce that our very own Keith Walker will be taking over his role! Big shoes to fill Keith, but we are sure you are up for the task!
We are doing this again! November is Family Violence Awareness month and we think it is an awesome opportunity to spread some hope in our community. If you have a gently used purse or backpack that you are willing to part with, consider filling it with items that those who have fled a violent situation may need. Think brush, combs, shampoo, deodorant, book, scarf, mittens, a little sweet candy, an inspirational note. This is our second year for this project, and our goal is to collect 300 purses/bags to distribute to the Women's Shelter, The Salvation Army and Saamis Immigration. Can you help us reach that goal?
We are thrilled to announce our newest member of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat Sunrise -- Danielle Skogen! Danielle was inducted today by DG Christine. Important things to know? Danielle is a teacher, fluent in 3 languages and has a passion for empowering people and in particular women in third world countries. Danielle's presence brings great energy and renewed commitment to our international projects. It has been 30 years since Rotary allowed women to join the ranks. We are proud to have Danielle join us and look forward to working with her on great things ahead!
Good things happened on one of the hottest days of the year in Medicine Hat! DG Christine Rendell met with the board of directors last night, and the club this morning to share the upcoming vision and direction of Rotary. She hails from Rotary Club of Calgary East and is a strong supporter of small clubs that do mighty things (like ours!). Thanks Christine for sharing your enthusiasm for Rotary and dedication to doing your part to make this world a better place.
He wouldn't want us to brag, but we should...just a bit. Craig Elder has become our clubs newest (MULTI) Paul Harris Fellow! Thank you Craig for all you do for Rotary and the community of Medicine Hat. We want you to know we notice you, and appreciate you!
MHC President Kevin Shufflebotham met with us to describe his vision of what Medicine Hat College will look like in the future. His vision, energy and collaborative nature is a great match with Rotary principles. Welcome to the community!
Lisa Kowalchuk and Sara Mackenzie from the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce met with us today to explore the many similarities between the work of the Chamber and the work of Rotary. Certainly there are some parallels! Thanks for coming to breakfast with us! We hope you enjoy our new Sunrise Rotary Roast custom coffee blend. It is a great way to kick start your day (Rotary and our coffee that is)!
And it is official! Clare Lindsay accepts the presidential gavel from Josh Wintoniak signalling the start of a new Rotary executive. Thanks Josh for all your work over the last year! And Clare, we look forward to your year as president!
Sunrise Rotary Medicine Hat is thrilled to support the Be Youth Centre this year with money from the Les Erickson Memorial Fund (Community Foundation). Be Youth provides free programming for youth aged 11- 17 in a fun and safe environment. As Rotarians, we think this is awesome and are happy to support such a great group!
We were beyond excited to launch our new coffee program with the Medicine Hat Public Library today! Stop in every Monday and Wednesday morning for a hot cup' o joe.
Thanks to Celina for meeting our club at the Medicine Hat Library to give us an update on what's happening at the Medicine Hat Food Bank. This is not just any Food Bank, they really go above and beyond and look holistically at how to help their clients.
Tobie Laliberte - Marketing / Promotions Coordinator at the Esplanade stopped by to give us some updates on all of the exciting new shows, events and exhibits to expect. One lucky Rotarian even walked away with a couple free tickets!
Huge thanks to Sunrise Rotarian, Sean Blewett for hosting us at the Community Future Entre-Corp office. Community Futures Entre-Corp have been helping people turn business ideas into reality in rural for over 30 years!
Our 2nd Annual March Madness Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, in partnership with Medicine Hat Adaptive Sport and Recreation was a resounding success!
Thanks to James Paulson from the Medicine Hat Astronomy Club for visiting our club. Your presentation was "out of this world!" It was great to hear about your plans for a new Telescope and your community outreach programs.
It was great to hear from Jill Forsythe, be YOUth Centre Co-Ordinator on all of the great work that they are doing in their recently updated location.
We had a great time this morning at Madhatter Coffee Roastery in downtown Medicine Hat!
Rotarians got a chance to learn about the roasting process and the "third wave" coffee trend. After sipping through some wonderful coffee's we voted on our favorite. Stay tuned for something new percolating from Sunrise Rotary soon...
This week we were led on a photographic tour of Keith and Ted's most excellent adventures through Australia and New Zealand. Crosswalks for the aged. Fantastic beaches. Glorious greenery. Namesake beer and wine. And apparently a couple of men who drive better on the left side of the road (as per their wives). Thanks for taking us there by photos!
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We are proud to support Danielle Skogen in her efforts with the SERnina project which provides re-usable menstrual products to school-aged girls in Guatemala. With the $1000 cheque presented by Syl, the support we provided, helps girls continue their education and enhance future opportunities. Danielle also reports that a local business owned and operated by women will be producing these products. A win-win!
Thanks to Sharla for organizing this great initiative. The response was overwhelming with Medicine Hat Stepping up to donate 170 bags/purses bursting with necessities for the Women's Shelter and Salvation Army.
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This is what we did! Thank you for your support with the Purse for a Sister, Bag for a Mister project, 170 purses and bags for the Phoenix Safe House and Salvation Army. 
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Speech & Language Works is a speech and language pathology firm in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Their client-centered team works with children and adults presenting a wide range of speech and language issues. Thanks to Sandy Redden for hosting us at her office and sharing her passion for what she does.
On Tuesday Owen Shuck presented to our club on his experiences of being a camper at the Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneur Camp (RAYEC) this summer.
Our esteemed District Governor Dan Doherty stopped at our club in his beautiful Rotary RV.
Sunrise Rotarians met at MH Brew Co. for some great food and a pint (or two) to support our international efforts to eradicate Polio.
A great day for a wonderful Sunrise Rotary MHC Trail walk and induction of our newest Rotarian, Chris Shorrock! Welcome Chris!
This year the lucky recipients of the $15 000 draw are Alfred and Doreen Kohls!
Treasurer Bill Cooper presents a $500 cheque to Karen LeHay of the Medicine Hat Pride Association. Karen spoke to our Rotary club regarding the Pride Festival being held in Medicine Hat on September 15, 2018 and current initiatives being addressed by the Pride Association.
A big thank you to Craig and Donna for hosting a great evening of fun and fellowship for Sunrise Rotary.
Great presentation by Bill Fitzsimmons of the Calgary West Rotary Club on Rotary's amazing microcredit and clean water projects in Honduras.
A recent pic of Raffle Co Chair Ted and Club President Les presenting this year's Raffle $15,000 Jackpot prize to Winner Susan Townend of Medicine Hat - Smiles all around!
With special thanks to Les for organizing and Josh acting as Host, our Sunrise Rotary Family celebrated this past Thursday with excellent Food, Fun & Fellowship at the MH Brewing Co!
With thanks to Community Futures Entre - Corp, His Worship the Mayor of the City of Medicine Hat Ted Clugston addressed a good crowd earlier today at the 15th Annual Mayor's Breakfast. Pictured is Dan Frost (CF Board Member and MC) along with Mayor Clugston. There was BACON and POETRY all celebrating small business during national Small Business Week in Canada.
Joined by Past President Keith and fellow Rotarians Clare and Bonnie, it was our pleasure to present recently retired Rotarian Bill Lloyd with an Honorary Lifetime Membership Award from the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat Sunrise. The Award recognizes the highest distinction that the Sunrise Rotary Club may bestow to individuals who has contributed meritorious service in the furtherance of the Club and Rotary’s ideals and for the permanent support of Rotary causes.
At the same time, it was an honor to also present Bill with the Paul Harris Fellow Award on behalf of the Rotary Foundation in appreciation of the tangible and significant assistance Bill has been to Rotary!
It was time well spent with Bill and Fay and we wish them well in all their future endeavours!
Sunrise Rotary Stampede Raffle $15,000 Jackpot Winner Evelyn Cummins receives her Grand Prize from Raffle Co Chair Ted Rodych and Club President Dan Kammerer. Through the ongoing wonderful support of our community, the generous help from the Family and Friends of Rotary and the tireless efforts of Rotarians, the 2016 Raffle was another unqualified success - well done everyone!
Our Guest today was James Smith, President, Prairie Gleaners Society - James provided the following definition - Glean: to pick up and gather what is left behind.
Prairies Gleaners was established in 2009, but was inspired 18 yrs ago by the hunger and need of a Rwandan boy.
Following Keith’s retirement (File Photo), he and Val were initially on their way to either Arizona or Hawaii, until Keith saw an advertisement for a trip to Iceland. $750 per person covered the flight and 5 nights accommodation and seemed to good to pass up! They decided to go to Iceland instead.
Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, believed that serving humanity is “the most worthwhile thing a person can do,” RI President John F. Germ said, and that being a part of Rotary is a “great opportunity” to make that happen. Germ unveiled the 2016-17 presidential theme, Rotary Serving Humanity, to incoming district governors on 18 January at the International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA. Watch the Video here http://video.rotary.org/uE8h/president-elect-john-f-germ-2016-17-theme-address/
The 2016 District 5360 Conference "Rising to New Heights" was held in picturesque mountain locale of Canmore, AB May 13 - 15, 2016.
Invest Medicine Hat connects entrepreneurs and investors to business opportunities in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. As business owners, they understand and anticipate the challenges in starting, expanding, or locating your business in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Client Services/Event & Volunteer Coordinator for Parkinson Alberta Beth Metcalf visited the Club today and provided the group with updates and information on what they have been up to. Beth is pictured with Community/Vocational Committee Chair Josh Wintoniak receiving the Club's donation. You can learn more here: http://www.parkinsonalberta.ca/medicine-hat-region-information
An excellent Presentation by Medicine Hat College Student Association Reps Stephanie Powers, Peer Support Co-ordinator and Michael Fritzler, Vice President Student Life on implementing Peer Support initiatives on Campus.
Pictured here with Sunrise President Milvia and the Medicine Hat Club's Outbound Counselor Milan Vujovic, Katie Caparini shared her presentation on her year long exchange to the city of Bregenz Austria 2014-15. Bregenz is situated in the Austrian Alps, along the Lake of Constance. It is in very close proximity to other countries, such as Germany and Switzerland.
President Elect Dan provided a recap of the District Training Session (PETS/SETS) held in Calgary March 18 and 19th.
With President Milvia away, President Elect Dan took care of duties from the podium. Our planned Speaker/Program was not in attendance so the Meeting was filled with fellowship and a few updates:
Club Director and Committee Chair Josh Wintoniak gave us an enlightening insight into what The Community and Vocational divisions of our Club are mandated to do, and what that looks like in our community.
Erynn Biggar (pictured) and Josie Doll from the Heart and Stroke Foundation visited the Club to provide an update/information and hopefully increase awareness for the Big Bike 2016 Event happening in Medicine Hat June 6, 2016.
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SERVICE ABOVE SELF
Mailing: PO Box 1114 Medicine Hat, AB T1A 7H3
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