By 2009, The Rotary Club of Saanich
was 51 years old, and had 54 Members
In the preceding year, Saanich Rotary members
- Rang bells for the Salvation Army winter appeal;
- Marshalled, judged and awarded ribbons to participating persons with disabilities, for the 26th year, at Operation Trackshoes at the University of Victoria;
- Helped The Compassionate Warehouse load medical equipment, clothing and many other needed supplies into shipping containers for overseas delivery;
- Participated in the Annual Victoria Partnership Walk for the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada for the 18th year;
- Provided funds to Dr Jim Sparling and his medical group for their hands-on project with Mengo Hospital in Kampala, Uganda;
- Assisted Shelter Box Canada to quickly provide temporary homes in disaster areas throughout the world;
- Sold Multiple Sclerosis Society Carnation Campaign Mothers’ Day Drive carnations.
and (in aid of Saanich Rotary Charities) also:
- Sold and delivered over 555 pots of colourful blooms for our annual Spring Flower Sale, netting $4,000;
- Partnered with the Canadian Friends of Mengo Hospital for another exciting African-themed Silent Auction & Dinner, raising in excess of $8,000.
Using the funds resulting from these endeavours, and also through personal participation, the Rotary Club of Saanich brought real happiness to the community at large; and the unwell, the disabled, the destitute and the unlettered - throughout the world. We are blessed to be able to provide such “Service above Self”.
In 2008-09, The Club Gave Assistance To:
|
Our Place |
$500.00 |
Operation Trackshoes |
$500.00 |
|
Mustard Seed Food Bank |
$500.00 |
Kids Kits |
$750.00 |
|
Camosun College Foundation |
$1,500.00 |
Adventures in Citizenship |
$1,500.00 |
|
Aga Khan Foundation |
$500.00 |
Project Unity |
$500.00 |
|
Mary Manning Centre |
$1,000.00 |
Boys’ & Girls’ Club |
$600.00 |
|
Prostate Cancer Fun Walk |
$500.00 |
Literacy Projects |
$1,500.00 |
|
Mengo Hospital Generator |
$4,000.00 |
Leadership Victoria |
$1,000.00 |
|
Victoria Island Science Fair |
$250.00 |
Multiple Sclerosis Society |
$350.00 |
|
Victoria Women’s Transition House |
$600.00 |
Victoria Conservatory of Music |
$1,500.00 |
Our club, being on the University of Victoria Campus, is privileged on a regular basis to host and provide counsellors for Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars as well as to sponsor them. We have in our time sponsored 15 students for studies abroad and we are also active in the Group Study Exchange Program.
We have also acted as sponsoring and host club for high school youth who exchange to other countries. We have sponsored more than 40 such exchanges in our years of service, and each year our club sends students to Ottawa to participate in “Adventures in Citizenship” and a second student to “Adventures in Music”.
At the weekly meetings the club enjoys speakers on a wide range of topics, as well as taking care of our Rotary business of service. We are an active, caring, welcoming club dedicated to service and friendship.