special features - abbotsford rotary club: 65 years

Celebrating a Commitment to our Community!

Proud to support Abbotsford’s first Rotary Club! Abbotsford / 100 - 2548 Clearbrook Road / P: 604.855.4941 / cwbank.com

A Message from the PresidentWe currently

have 65 members and on our 65 year anniversary, that’s an interesting coincidence.

Having Rotary, in our community, means that kids have playground equipment, youth have leadership

training, less fortunate children have food to eat, men and women in recovery have decent furniture to use, teens have access to food, shelter and guidance. These are just a few of the

programs we make available.We are proud of our many accom-

plishments with all the club members’ full participation, most notably in our community, the Million Dollar Hole-In-One Contest, and the Starfish Pack Program.

Rotary has made great strides toward the eradication of Polio. Since 1985, Rotary and its partners have helped reduce the number of cases from 350,000 annually to fewer than 400 in 2014. While we are a local club we are proud to be part of a network of over 1.2 million members in over 33,000 clubs worldwide.

I’m really proud to be this year’s

president of this distinguished club. We have a number of long-term members and some who have just joined in the past few months. We remind ourselves to remain engaged; relevant to new members and the community in a changing world. It’s a time when virtual E-clubs are starting. We all have busy schedules with time restraints and communication delivery options are expanding. While adopting to change and stay current with social media, we plan to continue to grow as a face-to-face active club. It will be interesting to see the make-up of the club in another 65 years as our members, leaders and times continue to change!

Hugh EllisPresident

1950-2015

Club of Abbotsford

www.abbotsfordrotary.com/RotaryClub.Abbotsford

@abbyrotaryclub

For information about the Abbotsford Community Foundation,

contact Susan McAlevy at 604-850-3755

or [email protected] or visit www.abbotsfordcf.org

PROUD SUPPORTER of

Th e Rotary Club of Abbotsford

604-852-0186 Monday to Friday 8:30 – 5:00

In the past 65 years our Rotary Club has lived our motto of “Service above Self” in Abbotsford. I am honoured to be part of this club. Our company believes in community service through accounting and tax services.

Give us a call or drop in if you have questions.

DORIS WOODMAN-MCMILLAN

We help people maximize their refunds, especially the disabled and their families.

The Starfi sh Pack Program began as a short-term solution to a growing problem of need. It has since evolved into a community effort with the support of numerous local businesses, churches and many volunteers.

On a weekly basis, 100 people step up to shop for, sort, pack and deliver packs to 20 local schools. While the Program is pleased to provide for 263 students, the School District estimates there are as many as 400 kids who come to school hungry.

Save-On-Foods (Whatcom Rd.) provides food

for the program at cost, which represents a signifi cant reduction in expenses for the program. Even with this discount, it costs $525 per school year to fi ll backpacks.

Donations are now directed through Abbotsford Food Bank, rather than Abbotsford Rotary Club. Bruce Beck, representing the Rotary Club of Abbotsford said, “We are working with Abbotsford Food Bank toward a sustainable long-term solution. Soon to be opened is a Starfi sh Hub, providing a pick-up location within walking distance of schools with the highest need. The

goal will be to address nutritional needs for the entire family, beyond the parameters of the school year, with expanded delivery options.”

The Starfi sh Program netted Rotary International’s Peak Performance Award for the Abbotsford Club in 2014 and the program is now being copied in other communities.

Businesses, groups and individuals are needed to keep this program moving forward in our community. To learn more, fi nd the Starfi sh Program link at abbotsfordrotary.com, or call the Abbotsford Food Bank at 604-859-5749.

We are honoured to serve our community alongside the Rotary Club of Abbotsford

The Salvation Army Centre of Hope34081 Gladys Ave • 604.852.9305

www.careandshare.ca

Giving HopeToday

Can you imagine how diffi cult it was to hear that more than 400 children in Abbotsford elementary schools were consistently coming to school hungry? In response, Abbotsford Food Bank started the ‘Backpack Program’ that currently feeds more than 260 children every weekend of the school year. After our initial trial year, in one school, Abbotsford Rotary Club made a signifi cant decision to

fund the program. Thanks to Rotary and all its supporters we are now working in 19 schools in our community. On behalf of all the children we serve through the Starfi sh Backpack program we congratulate Abbotsford Rotary on 65 fantastic years . . . and most of all . . . thank you for providing so much hope to so many.

MICHAEL de JONGMLA Abbotsford West

604.870.5486mikedejongmla.bc.ca

[email protected]

SIMON GIBSONMLA Abbotsford-Mission

604.820.6203simongibsonmla.ca

[email protected]

DARRYL PLECASMLA Abbotsford South

604.744.0700darrylplecasmla.ca

[email protected]

Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Abbotsford! 65 years of SERVICE ABOVE SELF!

CongratulationsRotary Club of Abbotsford...

...on 65 years of community service and supporting

humanitarian work around the globe.

A very special thanks for your outstanding support

of over 260 of our students at 19 schools through

the Starfi sh backpack program.

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Congratulations Abbotsford Rotary Club!

Celebrating Lives with Dignity

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THANK YOU CANADAFOR 150 YEARS

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Nkaka Leon Lokombo, B.Comm., BA, MATel: 604-607-3970 ext 2243 • Cell: [email protected]/leon.lokombo3240 Mt. Lehman Road, Suite 201 Abbotsford, BC V4X 2M9

Life’s brighter under the sun

I reluctantly agreed to attend a Rotary meeting in 2011, thinking of Rotary as an ‘old boy’s club’. I could not be more surprised! The entire meeting kept me engaged and laughing. As a young lady funeral director I thought perhaps

I would not be the club’s idea of an ideal candidate, but I was accepted right away. I thoroughly enjoyed my fi rst meeting, and continue to do so 4 years later.

We are a diverse group of business people who care about each other, Abbotsford and

the international role Rotary plays. Our club has a range of ages, and a colourful make-up of vocations and life experiences to make us a club with diverse talents and skills. Women still only make up less than 20% of the entire world-wide Rotary population (1.2 million).

I am extremely engaged and active in my Rotary club. One of my key passions is the Million Dollar Hole-In-One Contest that takes place at Fraserglen. Our club’s trademark since the ‘90s, it is a great way to engage with 500+ people who come out to shoot for $1 million and a chance to win the amazing daily prizes. It’s an awesome environment; great energy and a great way to engage with the community and fellow Rotarians. Our club has a long-standing relationship with Abbotsford Hospice Society and we have contributed

funds in excess of $100,000. We will be contributing to AHS again this year, toward the construction of Holmberg House and we hope to top the $68,000 raised last year! This event is a lot of work – the club comes together as 65 people strong to make it a success every year. The dedication of the club and the amazing support from sponsors and participants make it one of the premier events of the year. 2015 dates are May 30 - June 7. More info: rotarymillion.com.

Submitted by Sara LawsonSara Lawson

Feeding Local Children Rotary Fore! Charity

PolioPlus turns 30 – 30 years ago Rotary International launched PolioPlus, its campaign to rid the world of polio. Rotary has contributed more than $1.3 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 2 billion children worldwide. In addition, Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute over $10 billion to the effort.

Changing Lives at Home and Abroad

Rotary Club Of Abbotsfordwww.abbotsfordrotary.comRotary Club Of Abbotsford-Sumaswww.abbotsfordsumasrotary.orgRotary Club Of Abbotsford-Matsquiwww.abbotsfordmatsquirotary.org

Rotary International is a worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities.

GIVING BACK: the Heart of R tary

Dave Murray – Abbotsford Food Bank:

Prospera Credit Union presented a cheque for $10,500, enabling 20 additional backpacks for the Starfi sh Pack Program.

Les Barkman, Hugh Ellis and Dave Holmberg at the 2014 Hole in One Event.

Celebrating 65 YEARS

Join us:Tuesdays at 12:00pm

at the Phoenix Lounge, 33780 King Road

Contact us:www.abbotsfordrotary.com

Facebook: /RotaryClub.Abbotsford

Twitter: @abbyrotaryclub

WHAT WE DORotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million members who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and global peace. Th ere are 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographic areas.Clubs are non-political, non-religious and open to all cultures, races and creeds and all share the objective to service; in the community, in the workplace and throughout the world.

WHO WE ARERotary brings together people like you – leaders from all cultures and occupations who want to use their distinct expertise for good. People whose sense of responsibility inspires them to give back to their communities. Together, we empower youth, improve health, promote peace, and advance our communities in all corners of the world.Our global community’s impact has never been greater, and it continues to grow. When Rotarians come together and commit to a cause, the magnitude of our impact is clear.

CONNECT WITH ROTARYAs an active Rotarian, it’s not just your community, club, and projects that benefi t, you benefi t too. You’ll develop skills like public speaking, project management, and event planning.You’ll meet interesting people from your community and from around the world. You’ll feel the shared sense of purpose that comes from working together to better your community. When it comes to being a Rotarian, the opportunities are endless.

Club of Abbotsford

Tatat

In 1965, Cors was invited to join the Rotary Club of Epe in the Netherlands. At 30, he was the youngest member of that Club, which consisted of many distinguished community members. Although extremely busy as a local veterinarian he always made time for the meetings and a number of community projects. Cors was familiar with Rotary since his father was an active Rotarian until the end of his life.

To Cors, Rotary is the most effective vehicle to serve and improve the communities in which we live, and around the world. The ‘international’ aspect of Rotary is the main reason why he is still a Rotarian; sharing resources and expertise with Clubs in developing countries, focusing on projects relating to health, education, and clean water as well as training young people to become Peace Ambassadors.

“We are so fortunate with what we have here, that we have to share our riches in many ways with the less fortunate of the world!” said Cors.

The fellowship and interaction with people from all walks of life is an important aspect, as is the opportunity to visit any Rotary Club in the world. It gives any Rotarian access to different cultures, languages and customs and a very interesting learning experience.

Cors commented that his visit to the Rotary Club in Swaziland was very meaningful. “We were informed of the huge AIDS problems in that country,” explained Cors. “We joined with the local Rotary Club, and helped them with the finances to start an information campaign to prevent the spread of the HIV infection. More than 50% of the women were infected and many children became orphans. Many grandparents had to look after their grandchildren. This is one of many examples why Rotary’s International involvement is so important and can mean so much for so many. That’s why I’m still a member!”

Cors de Lint

Longest Serving and Newest Rotarian Paul Harris Award

This 1.2 million-member organization started with the vision of one man — Paul P. Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on February 23, 1905 as a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.

The Paul Harris Fellow award is the highest honour a club can bestow on a person, either inside or outside the club. The award acknowledges ‘Service Above Self’ which that individual has offered to their community, their nation or indeed to the world.

“Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.” – Paul P. Harris

Andrea Lindgren is presented a Paul Harris award by Andrew Franklin, Past-President of Rotary Club of Abbotsford

The newest member of the Abbotsford Rotary Club, Chris Oliver, was asked what prompted him to join. Chris said he was inspired by the actions of a close friend. He views this person as a mentor, proud of the work he does through Rotary, and impressed by the way he regards his fellow Rotarians. “He’s always quick to recommend getting in touch with someone he knows through the club because he can vouch for their integrity. I knew that, as a community member and

a businessperson, that’s the way I want to be regarded by my peers and neighbours”, explained Chris.

“I want to give my time and efforts to improve Abbotsford in tangible ways: cleaning Discovery Trail, providing food to hungry school children, being part of the improvement of our homelessness and housing issue,” Chris remarked. “That’s reward enough. We all benefit by living in a cleaner, safer and more vibrant community.”

Chris also wants to nurture relationships with his fellow club-members, as part of his growth as a member of the community. “I’ve met so many amazing people already in my short time with the club, and I look forward to getting to know them better,” he explained. “The benefits of being a Rotary member though, begin and end with community service. I wouldn’t pay dues and attend weekly lunches for the sake of being part of some kind of exclusive club. At the risk of sounding insincere, the biggest benefit is a constant case of the ‘warm fuzzies’; just ask a Rotarian about the Starfish Pack program and watch the look on their face.”

Chris Oliver

Join Rotary because you want to make a difference.

special features - abbotsford rotary club: 65 years

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