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Rotary Club of Kitimat

Lucy Borges, an inspiring woman

It is possible to have a vision, believe in it, and have it realized. The director at Delta King Place has proven this! Lucy's dream was always to see their residents having home-cooked food at every meal. This meant a significant upgrade to the facility's kitchen. Past president of our club, Gareen Ball, recognized this before she presented our contribute to this work. Using our theme for this year Be the Inspiration, she commented on Lucy's 'perfect fit' when it comes to the meaning behind the words. Always smiling and caring, Lucy exemplifies its message. Congratulations to you Lucy and to the members of the Delta King board's members. Well done. Pictured above, a few of us along with some members of the board as Gareen is about to present the check (rolled up in her hand).

Visit to Delta King Place

This kitchen is seasoned with love

(The words above the pass through into the kitchen)

Monica Gonzalez, cook at Delta King Place, will soon be able to enjoy air conditioning in the newly renovated Delta King Kitchen. Without question, we know what a difference this is going to make when it comes to summer heat! It's easy to see how delighted and proud she is as she works in her new surroundings. We feel good about this and know the staff at Delta King and all of its other residents do too. This project was a 'fit' for Rotary, something we could support that mattered here in Kitimat. For us to pull of what we wanted to do we asked for help. Delta King staff members came out to give us a hand at our Annual Online Rotary Auction, and we did something we have never done before, all the proceeds from it were to go to Delta King. We will be presenting our check for $20,000 to the Delta King Place Housing Society on Friday, August 3 , sometime between 11.00 a.m. and 1 p.m., at the Annual Barbeque fundraiser hosted by Skeena MP Nathan Cullen. Do come out, and cheer on Gareen Ball, our check presenter. Just $5 for a hot dog or burger, pop and bag of chips.

Rotary Scholarships winners

An impressive evening. These students were recognized as outstanding scholars at Mount Elizabeth Secondary School recently. (photo credit Jerry Leibel)

Rotarian Linda Campbell presented our two Rotary scholarships To Cedrick Verreault and Amy Lane. They both have been honor roll students through all their years at MEMSS.

Lynda Hammerstrom Rocha Scholarship

Cedrick is the Prime MInister of the Student Council. A young member of the NDP for three years, he founded the MEMSS Social Justice Group. He will be returning to his hometown in Quebec City to study political science at Universite Laval in the fall. He chose to use a quote to begin his application for the scholarship, "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for."

Kitimat Rotary Scholarship

Amy is the artist, winner of the Innovative Design Bridge Building Award, the Art Award, on the Principal's List, awards in metal work and social studies. She is an active volunteer at her church, at the food bank, and a Girl Guide. While she would love to pursue further studies in art, her primary focus will be becoming a pilot. Her career goal is to become a Rotary wing commercial pilot.

Each scholarship is for $1000.00.

5040's new executive installed

A big day for those of us in Rotary District 5040. Here you see our own Dean Rohrs (Langley) , right, installing the 2018-19 Governor of our 51 Rotary clubs in District 5040, from Greater Vancouver up the coast to Prince Rupert. Next to her, our new leader, 2018-19 Governor Darcy Long (Sechelt), and (l to r) Governor Elect Bala Naidoo (Burnaby), Governor Nominee Dave Hamilton (Delta) and Governor 2017-18 Don Evans (Vancouver). The ceremony took place in Gibsons, BC, on June 16, 2018.

Foundation Dinner

Always a night to remember, this year's Foundation Dinner was no exception! We rocked the night away, cheered on by Skeena Valley's president Kristen Riley. So much fun in the room, enthusiastic bidding during the auction and the dinner was exceptional. Here are a couple of pictures that certainly show we were in the mood!

District Assembly April 7, 2018

Our incoming District Governor, Darcy Long, walked us through District 5040's vision for 2018-19, some interesting, inspiring and enthusiastic directions for us to use in our clubs. All clubs in our area were represented at the assembly. Darcy did an excellent job sharing the many topics presented, bringing us all into the activity. We will be in good hands under her leadership.

Here we are busy at work during the day.

Later, many of us had to leave quickly. Here are a few of us on the steps outside the school board office as we were leaving. You'll see Jo and Eleanor in this picture, attending for our Rotary Club of Kitimat

DG Don Evans joined us at our April 3rd meeting

We were pleased to embrace changing times by having our District Governor Don Evans come and join our club in a healthy dialogue on moving forward. We look forward to growing our club and continuing to do Rotary service in Kitimat and the world.

Through the Cracks

A trio of our Rotary Club's members headed to Mount Elizabeth Middle Secondary School last week with a $1,000 cheque for use by the Through the Cracks program. The money will be used to provide support for some the schools less fortunate students. Principal Geraldine Lawlor snapped the photo above sharing her enthusiasm for the work being done by LINK worker Debbie Dilg. Art work done by the students was up on the walk along with their own "Words of Wisdom". An inviting bowl of fresh fruit sat on a table, a fine example - how the funds will be used. Principal Geraldine Lawlor smiled as we talked saying the funds will be used for food, bus passes, recreation passes, clothing. Above, Eleanor Kendell, Debbie Dilg (community LINK worker), Gareen Ball and Jo Ann Hildebrandt.

Nechako PAC (Parent Advisory Council) fundraising for a new playground

Erika Loucks, chairperson of Nechako Elementary School's PAC joined us at our March 6th meeting to share their fundraising story for a new playground at the school. Looking at photos of the planned playground surface, brightly colored, a product made from recycled tires and playground equipment designed to accommodate students with mobility challenges, one could appreciate how much this will be appreciated. The project has already received significant financial support from industry and business in Kitimat. Students are also doing their bit, each class collecting different coins for the days of the week, nickels, dimes, loonies and toonies. It's a contest! David Mill, principal, was on hand to introduce Erika. Wondering what the surface could look like? This picture will give you an idea.

Later in the evening we heard from Brian Downie, our area governor--all about the Presidential Environmental Sustainability and Peace Conference in Vancouver. Ian Riesley, 2017-18 President, Rotary International brought this year's Make a Difference theme home. Building peace through environmentally sustainable effort at home and around the world was showcased in a fashion those attending will remember. Speakers, the House of Friendship participants, organizations from the world beyond Rotary and those from within, left motivated and inspired.

Brian also brought along Rotary's upcoming year's club banner--an impressive theme for Rotarians to follow Be The Inspiration.