At our last meeting, the founder of our club, Gerry Lougheed, delivered his traditional Christmas message. He reminded Rotarians that like Rotary's motto Service Above Self, Christmas is about the people not the stuff. That the Christmas story is about the people and if you can't change the story you can improve the story. He reminded us that Rotarians are like angels that deliver good news; that "no man is a failure that has friendships" and that Rotary gives us that friendship. Rotarians were also entertained by Santa Ian and Jeff Wiseman.
Event Updates
Mission 31 was a great success this year! Many thanks to event coordinators Lisa Lounsbury and Barb Roy, the volunteers that filled the food donation bags and promoted bag purchases and the teams that donated and served meals. The support of Chris' Independent and Day Construction was fundamental to the help this event is able to provide to the Elgin Street Mission and its clients.
It appears that some donation time slots for the Plasma Drive are taking repeated requests to fill. Plasma saves lives so let's ensure we achieve our donation goal! Please contact Brandi Braithwaite to sign up for a time to donate.
COVID-19 restrictions unfortunately meant cancelling the cheque presentation meeting but the success of Vive le Vin can be seen in the numerous charitable initiatives the event was able to fund:
Rotary Park - Enhancement Projects
DeSimone Foot & Ankle Centre - Sock & Shoe Drive
NEO Kids Foundation - Fetal Pillows
Sudbury Action Centre for Youth - Youth Programs
Sudbury Women’s Centre - Basic Needs Program
Finlandia SISU Foundation - Smart TV
Maison McCulloch Hospice - Spot Vital Signs Device
Cambrian College Foundation - Equipment Renewal Fund
Learning Disabilities Assn of Sudbury - Community Outreach Program
YMCA of Northeastern Ontario - My Y is Resilient Campaign
Inner City Home - Emergency Food Bank
Sudbury Charities Foundation - Send-a-Kid-to-Camp Program
Sudbury Welcomes Immigrants - Alzahran Family Sponsorship
Fighting disease is one of Rotary’s main causes, so members already support efforts to promote proper hand washing techniques, teach people other ways to stay healthy, and supply training and vital medical equipment to health care providers. Now they’re helping health authorities communicate lifesaving information about COVID-19 and donating protective gear and other supplies to clinics and hospitals that are under strain because of the pandemic.
