Welcome to the Rotary Club of Abbotsford as we celebrate our 60th anniversary in this community. Our founding members would be extremely proud of the accomplishments this club has achieved in the past six decades.
With the help of corporate sponsors and the generosity of the local residents, we have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for initiatives such as the children’s ward of the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, retired the Abbotsford Hospice mortgage, and helped build Rotary Stadium plus numerous other smaller but equally needed community projects.
Since we are fortunate to live in such a peaceful, prosperous part of the world, we also turned our attention to areas beyond our borders to help those less fortunate. In 2007, we not only raised funds to support a medical mission to the Philippines to correct cleft palates for underprivileged children but many of our club members volunteered their time and money to assist the medical team firsthand. When the earthquake struck Haiti in early 2010, our club members immediately opened their hearts and wallets. By partnering with Canadian Food for the Hungry we raised $30,000 and followed through to make sure it went to assist those in need in Haiti.
In July 2010, Ray Klinginsmith will become Rotary International President and he has chosen this year’s theme to be “Building Communities – Bridging Continents”. It is a theme that fulfills two objectives: to explain Rotary to non-Rotarians and to validate our work for Rotarians. Reaching out to youth and young adults will be a major focus in the coming year as well continuing our partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to eradicate polio from the world.
In the words Frank Devlyn, a former Rotary International President who wrote: “For those who want to feel connected Rotary helps give us a sense of community. For those wishing they could expand their business contacts, Rotary offers unbeatable networking opportunities. For those who are lonely, it is a wellspring of friendship and support. For those on the fast track, it provides tools and opportunities to help you become a better leader. For those who love to travel it’s like pulling into a strange town almost anywhere on earth and finding the welcome light illuminated on the front porch”.
Devlyn also said “Rotary is one of the greatest honors that a person can be offered, and through that membership, Rotarians can make a real difference in their own lives, their communities and the lives of others”.
Now you know why I am humbled to have been asked to be President of this prestigious club in its 60th year and be part of this prestigious organization. If you have a heart to serve, and want to work alongside others to use and share your time, talent and resources to make a difference, then please join us.
Our club meets every Tuesday at noon to 1:30 pm at Cascade Community Church at 35190 Delair Rd, Abbotsford. Please join us for lunch to see what we do and consider becoming a Rotarian and a friend.
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