Cablethon -- in 1978, well-known local musician, Norm Post, came up with the suggestion of a Cablethon to raise money for disabled children. Using his connections with local musicians, he lined up a slate of talent, which performed over the Belleville Cablevue television station for eight hours on a Monday evening. Those manning the phones were all Rotarians.
Benefit Hockey Game -- in 1981, it was a case of those who could use their limbs, helping those who were unable to. Rotarian Cliff Belch organized an Easter Seal benefit hockey game. The match was between the firefighters and the police, with the entertainment between periods provided by the Quinte Figure Skating Club. The Belleville Police Association assisted the Easter Seal campaign by donating $500 and an additional amount was realized from the 50-50 draw.
McHappy Days -- in March of 1980, the Rotary Club of Belleville was approached by McDonald’s Family Restaurants with an offer to participate in running a McHappy Day in Belleville. On McHappy Days the fast-food chain donates part of their profits – 50 cents to $1 for each Big Mac sold that day to the Easter Seal Campaign. Community celebrities donate their time to cook and serve hamburgers. On this occasion Rotarians were on hand to sell balloons, with proceeds also going toward helping disabled children. McHappy Days are held as a national effort by all McDonalds’ restaurants across Canada. The two previous McHappy Days had raised more that $1 million for physically disabled children through various local or national organizations. Locally, the 1980 McHappy Day raised close to $900 for disabled children.
ESSO Thankful Tankfull -- the Rotary Club of Belleville participated with local Esso Gasoline outlets in Esso’s national “Thankful Tankfull” contribution to the annual Easter Seal campaign. Esso would contribute one cent per litre of gasoline sold. Once held at the Towers Gas Bar, Rotarians manned a refreshment booth to sell hot-dogs and soft drinks donated by Towers and students from Belleville Collegiate Institute & Vocational School ran a car wash as part of the Easter Seal Fund effort.