About Our Club

 

As we enter the latter half of October Mother Nature is continuing to tease us with more summer-like temperatures and sunny days. Despite this, the leaves are changing, and the sun is setting earlier every day. As usual, despite the season, the Rotary Club of Belleville continues to play a role in our local community, and beyond.

 

As President in 2024 – 2025, it is my privilege and honour to work with all of you on the many projects you undertake. Since July we have been very busy with a variety of fundraising initiatives including the 22^nd edition of Rotary Loves Kids Golf Tournament and Party in the Square. While official numbers have not been released yet, it is safe to say the event netted close to $100,000 for the Clubs projects. We also helped park cars at Waterfront, bringing $1,400 into the Club and received our Belleville Senators 50/50 ticket selling proceeds from the 2023-2024 season. Our efforts raised over $14,000.

 

Since July we have also welcomed two new members to the Club – Amanda Smith and Julia Ross. Both were officially welcomed to our membership when our District Governor, Virginia O’Reilly, visited in late August.

 

With fall here, the annual Porchfest took place – it’s the 15th edition with over 60 performers gracing Old East Hill porches and later the downtown core. The weather was perfect and the sounds of folk, rock, country, etc. blended in the clear skies. A special thanks to PP Sam Brady who seems to single-handedly organize this event.

 

I also want to recognize the efforts of Hazzem Koudsi, our Public Image chair, and his team. They have worked diligently over the last few months to develop merchandise that is now available for your purchase. There are two t-shirts for sale. Look for them at the weekly meetings. His team also worked on a Porchfest shirt design. We piloted the sale of shirts at Porchfest, and I am happy to say we sold out with demand for more. Guess what we will be selling in 2025? I staffed the table and heard many wonderful comments about the event as well as about the increased visibility/presence of Rotary in the community. This is thanks to our Rotary-branded tent, our portable PA system, and the efforts of Rotarians to come out to events and volunteer their time at the tables. Thanks to all of you. If you want to see who the “People of Action” are take a look at our Facebook page and ClubRunner for event photos. Thanks also to those who are documenting our activities and posting the results.

 

The Fall also means that some of our annual events are returning. In October we have a tree planting at Cliff Belch Park on Saturday October 26, 2024 at 9 am. PP Peter Malone is hosting Hallowe’en Evening Thursday October 31, 2024. This is in place of the regular evening meeting at Capers. Come in costume and help dole out candy to the little ones who stop by. On November 21, 2024 we have our annual Community Paul Harris Fellow Recognition evening. Please plan to attend as we recognize three non-Rotarians for their contributions to the local community. The week of November 25, 2024 sees local high school students spending that week exploring Municipal government in the City of Belleville. You can volunteer to captain a day by contacting Jennifer Savini.

 

November also brings out the reindeer for the Santa Class parade and then their two month stay at the Corby Rose Garden. If you can’t see the real and static reindeer on the evening of the parade, be sure to visit the static one in the Rose Garden, especially in the evening when they are lit up.

 

The Santa Claus parade on November 17, 2024 includes our Clowns for Kids team of youngsters and adults, all dressed as clowns, walking the parade route handing out candy canes. Again, this year, we hope to have our juggler and unicyclist who entertain the crowds as we walk. They are young adults with great talents who help us every year. When asked to sponsor a clown please remember that these youngsters, often with special needs, are enjoying the experience of a lifetime, giving them a reason to smile during the holiday season.

Before we know it, December will be here, and we will be immersed in the Christmas spirit. We are going to meet for a special Christmas dinner on December 19, 2024 at the Belleville Club. Please mark this in your calendars and plan to attend. It is in place our of lunch meeting on that day and it would be wonderful to create some Christmas cheer with members who usually attend the evening meeting (cancelled the next week as it is Boxing Day) as well as members who we do not see very often or only see on Zoom. We miss you and would relish the opportunity to welcome you to our Christmas dinner in front of a warm fire, with some caroling and perhaps a surprise or two! Be sure to watch your email for registration information.

 

This year I have been recognizing members for living the “Magic of Rotary” while being “People of Action.” Recognized to date are:

          July – Nadine Langlois

          August – Jared Bellemare

          September – Peter Coy

 

Each is recognized as a “Rotary Angel” and presented with a certificate, an Angel lapel pin, and a magic wand.

 

PP Peter Malone and PP Doug Peterson are looking at new fundraising initiatives so if you have any ideas, please bring them forward. They are planning a brainstorming session sometime soon so watch for news of when and where.

 

If you know of someone who might be interested in joining our great Club, please let us know. Perhaps it is a colleague at work (or play) or someone new to the community. It takes a village, and we would love to bring more members of the Belleville area into our Club who want to pay it forward and get involved.

 

As we continue to work and play to help our local community and beyond, I encourage all members to come out and make a Positive Impact and, in the process, you too can experience “The Magic of Rotary.”