Just behind Cora in the picture at left is a screen with the dimly perceptible photos of eight elementary school students. Each is wearing a T-shirt with the words “Thank you Rotary St. Thomas,” recognition of the Club’s donation to the Back to School project, the inspiration of Rotarians John and Cora Van Laar. These are children whose future is clear and bright.

 

John Van Laar remembers the day he became a real Rotarian. He was in the Philippines and found some children foraging for food in the dump. How happy they were when they found some! He was shocked and resolved to do something about it. In 2006, he set up a feeding program but soon realized this was not a permanent solution. These children needed an education if they were to escape from poverty. Kofi Annan’s words, “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope” struck a chord. With the aid of other Rotary clubs, a school was set up in Cebu, the country’s second largest city, to provide a basic education until high school. The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a separate program bringing dropouts back into the learning system.

 

The support of Rotarians in both Canada and the Philippines is essential to the project’s success. There is good cooperation with government agencies in the Philippines and fundraising has enabled the project to meet many needs as they arise. For example, job prospects increased when computers were sent to the Back to School project (via Sandy Vasquez). As a result, a young man got a job at a restaurant and was able to send money to his mother to feed the family. Two hundred street kids from the ALS program are working for Lear Corporation. Other graduates are working abroad because there’s more money to be made there than at home. The project also has a dental van, a mobile eye clinic, and an all terrain ambulance. Dengue fever is being treated. Lives are being saved. They have hope.

 

MERRY SUNSHINE….President Nancy welcomed Catherine Janssen, wife of Gerry, and Anna Penuelas, niece of Adriana Balderas, to today’s meeting. Welcome and Bienvenido!...Next week (May 15) we will be meeting in the bar area of the Wayside for the Spring edition of the student Service Above Self awards. Guests are most welcome to attend (as they are every week). There is no meeting on May 22 (Victoria Day), but on May 29, Serge Lavoie will be on hand to speak about the new elevated park in St. Thomas. June 5 will be a Club Assembly, followed by a Board Meeting, but will also see the induction of new member, Edie Delanghe. Looking further ahead, the Changeover meeting has been scheduled for June 26. More details will be forthcoming….In July, the price of lunch at the Wayside will rise from $12 to $13. Still a great deal!

 

The much anticipated Pony Poopin’ Bingo event has been postponed to this Saturday, May 13. Several days of rain last week left puddles on the field, putting some ticket holders at a disadvantage. Trudy was pleased to report that the Interactors’ goal of $4000 had been exceeded by $10. That lofty total was to be exceeded even more when another ten tickets were sold at today’s meeting. The big event takes place at From Away Farms, 43 Sunset Drive in St. Thomas, with funds raised going to the Children’s Hospital of London.

 

Two new members of the Club attended the Rotary Leadership Institute seminar Parts 1 last Saturday, May 6, at King’s College in London. Gerry Janssen stated that he learned a lot, and just as importantly, met and talked with many fellow Rotarians from other clubs. “It was a very good day.” Brenda Merrifield noted the District’s plan to combat falling membership numbers, and this definition from the discussion about leadership: “Managers do things right, but leaders do the right thing.”

 

To register for the District Conference (May 26-28), visit the District’s website (www.rotary6330.org). There is no registration fee but you do need to pay for meals. Guests can be brought. This year’s Conference is hosted by the Railway City Rotary Club, with most of the events taking place at St. Anne’s Centre in St. Thomas. President Nancy noted that our Club will be looking after the Teddy Bears. Trish Shouldice will mount onto poster board the photos Malcolm has collected descriptive of Club activities.

 

A District Area 4 meeting takes place on Tuesday, May 16 in Aylmer at Trinity Anglican Church. If you would like to attend, contact President Nancy who will RSVP on behalf of the entire Club contingent….A donation of $500 will be made to Habitat for Humanity following an online appeal….Ken Ferguson was winner of the 50/50 draw. Fine Master Mike Moore drew from the Internet this timely answer to the question, “How often does a miniature pony poop during the day?” Seven times in a 24-hour period. Now you know. In the event Saturday’s pony doesn’t know, flax is recommended.

 

HAPPY FINS- Donations of $5 to The Rotary Foundation – Annual Programs Fund – credited to the donor in celebration of something good in our lives. This practice was started in this club in 1985 to raise funds for polio eradication at the suggestion of Darwen Lowe, a member of the club.

 

Ron Somerville (2) – Thanks to John and Cora for their presentation today; they are having a tremendous impact on Rotary and the world; for his oldest son’s 28th anniversary.
Gerry Janssen (2) – For the opportunity to attend the Rotary Leadership Institute last Saturday; in celebration of his wife’s birthday and Mother’s Day, both coming up in the next few days.
Trish Shouldice (3) – To thank John and Cora; it was their son and daughter-in-law’s anniversary last weekend; it’s sunny today!
Pat Martyn (5) – For Cora; for John; for a beautiful sunny day (Pat hastened to assure us the weather on her holiday was no sunnier than ours last week); for a wonderful cruise on the Seine and a visit to Juno Beach.
Ken Ferguson (2) – For our guest speakers, John and Cora.
Adriana Balderas (2) – Happy that her niece is visiting her; Adriana and Marco Sr. will be celebrating their 23rd anniversary on April 30.
Trudy Kanellis (1) – For all the Rotarians who assisted with the Fish Fry on Saturday, particularly Ron Somerville and Dave Moffatt (the catering ladies wanted to keep Dave, so expert was he in his work). The Fish Fry was hosted by the Railway City Rotary Club at the CASO Station (seen in photo at right), with the aid of the Food Trailer and support from some Club members.
Malcolm Rust (2) – He too would like to acknowledge the people in the Club who helped at Saturday’s Fish Fry, not forgetting Trudy herself, who is an excellent caterer; it’s a good example of cooperation between the two Clubs; for discovering the word “quondam” (former) in a recent issue of the Rotaserver.

Nancy Lovelock (4) – For John and Cora’s presentation; for the sunny day today; in appreciation of Trudy and the Interactors; for all the interesting conversations Mike Moore has with his children and which he then shares with us.
Jennifer Babcock (4) – For today’s program with John and Cora; it is good to be back and rejuvenated; she has received a great opportunity to move up in the ranks in her work; for the opportunity to provide a community hub for seniors in the east end.