Over the years our focus has been very much on supporting other local organizations providing much-needed services to our community, one of which is the Salvation Army. We have provided financial support for programs put on by the local Citadel such as their Acre of Hope community garden program and their Youth Camps. We have also enjoyed hosting their Christmas Kettle at Stone Road Mall for one Saturday every holiday season from 2011 through 2019, then temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. Members volunteer for 2 hour shifts at the kettle and there is never a problem filling up the available slots. The Salvation Army’s holiday fund-raising activities play a crucial role in sharing the spirit of the season with families in need and our members have always enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm of the community as they generously donate to the kettles.
(L-R) Charter Members Peter and Celia Clark with the Christmas Kettle at Stone Road Mall, along with Mahmud Hassain, also a Rotarian
Providing youth with opportunities to develop leadership skills is the focus of RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) RYLA is an intensive training program that brings together youth and young adults, to further develop character and leadership skills and learn about Rotary. Every year since 2012 we have sponsored at least one young adult in this week long program that is designed to build self-confidence, gain exposure to a variety of issues and people, meet active community leaders, and learn valuable information and career skills. Our Rotary club continues to advocate for youth-oriented programs such as RYLA and Camp Enterprise – youth are our future!
On November 8th 2012 we were honoured to welcome Master Bombardier Evan Shields who spoke to us about his career in the Canadian Military, including serving in Afghanistan. Evan is a Guelph native and in 2012 was a reservist bombardier with Guelph's 11th Field Artillery Regiment who served in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009. His inspiration for a military career was his grandfather, Howard Wilson, a Second World War veteran and soldier for 31 years. We last saw Evan, now “Master Corporal” and still with the same Regiment, during the 2020 Remembrance Day ceremony in Guelph . We were grateful to Rotarians Geoff and Deb Allen for arranging such an inspirational speaker during Remembrance Week.
(L-R) Rotarian Thomas Newby, Master Bombardier Evan Shields, Rotarian Geoff Allen RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards)