Opening of the Rotary East Food Bank Kitchen

Our weekly meeting happened on Tuesday April 4, 2023 in conjunction with the Red Deer East Club to celebrate the opening of the Rotary Club of Red Deer East  Community Kitchen. This has been a long term project and $100 000 has been committed by the club. This project also received tremendous support from the Alberta government and from contributions from local community members.  

Over 70 Rotarians and guests gathered to celebrate the opening of the kitchen.  greeting were brought from club presidents Ian Hartley (Red Deer East), Susan Hopf-Kmetiuk (Red Deer Sunrise) and Phil Hyde (incoming president, Red Deer Downtown).  Mayor Ken Johnson reminded all of the power of Rotary to restore hope to others and the importance of participating in community projects.  Harvey M. echoed the call to service and remarked on the impact that donations and gifts of time have in effecting change.  Duties of Sargeant fell to Neil Swensrude (Red Deer East) and Daria Z.  Gentle fun was in order as they encouraged "gifts" as opposed to fines to go to support the Food Bank efforts. 

Mitch Thomson, the Executive Director, spoke to the clubs about the tremendous support Red Deer East has provided, to support the opening of the Kitchen. In addition to hosting events, the Kitchen will enable the Food Bank to teach people how to make food last, use different but readily available ingredients and help the Food Bank ensure less of the donated food ends up in the compost pile. Mitch provided us with some amazing (and unbelievable) stats last night about the support the food bank provides our communities and the difference the kitchen has already made. 

All in attendance enjoyed a very delicious meal that was catered to by the Food Kitchen staff.  All items were excellent!!

Gloria, Bob, Dan, and Dagmar getting ready to sing for their supper!!!

Happy/Sad and other Fun Things

Red Deer Rebels are in the playoffs and we are selling 50/50 tickets!!!! A friendly rivalry is developing among sellers.  The March 31 game saw Ingrid, Leann, and Dagmar celebrate their prowess as top sellers.  Thanks to everyone for ensuring that their shifts are filled, especially as we enter the playoffs.   It is a great time and an opportunity to get to know others in the club, especially at the gathering at the end of the game to quench our parched throats!!! 

 

100 Anniversary Hall of Fame

Included in our 100 years of Rotary celebration will be profiles of members who have passed away after having made a significant contribution to Rotary through long term membership and service to the community. We have been successful in attracting a number of major sponsors for our event in recognition of the lifetime contributions of a number of Club members.

When Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston addressed the club in February he mentioned 30 members of our club who have passed away, and who made an impact for him, during the 25 years since he joined the club. 

 Richard Warren (see Jeff Dawson)

Keith Mann (see Jerry P)

Mike Day (See Don O)

Donna Stewart-Wood (see Phil H)

Max Edgar (see Shellley R)

John Harms (see Bill O)

Les Peddle

Margaret Roduner

Frank Holman (See Don O)

Bud Lund

Willie Mah

Ken Boake (sponsored)         

Alfio Truant (sponsored)       

Ken Ing (sponsored)        

Ray Dunham (sponsored)   

Jim Quinn (sponsored)       

Arnold Ritchie

Mal Hough(sponsored)   

Ivar Kristianson

Jack Unsworth (see Garth O.)

Don Laubman

Hazel Carson

Doug Lindsay

Mac Johnston (see Ingrid)

Bill McCartney (see Dick M.)                    

Tom Reynolds

Herbert Fielding (see Don O)

Ken Sproule (see Craig M.)

Bernie Papp

Barry Fleming

Gordon Towers (see Adele P.)

Russ Joseph

Harold Dawe

Monte Audenart (Liz Audenart)

Jack Hoar (see Harvey M.)

The Call to action is for club members was to consider a sponsorship donation for our hundred years of Rotary in recognition of the fine example set by these individuals during their lifetime commitment to the community through Rotary and other community efforts. A sample tribute profile was shared with the club outlining Ray Dunham’s life and community support. Ray along with 5 other members from Mayor Ken Johnston’s list have attracted significant donations in support of Rotary.  It is our goal to have donors /sponsors for each of the names on the Mayor’s list and include them in a profile display at our May 4 event.

To participate please contact Don Odell or if you would like to contribute to a past member who already has a Team Captain, please contact that person (listed above in brackets).

Please share details of our event with all of your contacts.