By Bill McKay, Club Historian
Easter Seals Campaigns
As I have been reading the historical summaries of each year, I am struck by the time and effort that was put into the annual Easter Seals campaigns. Although they were not much mentioned in the early years, I am sure that much of the money spent in those years on Crippled Children clinics etc. was raised thru Easter Seals.
I noticed a comment made on Oct 14/99 that the club had been affiliated with Easter Seals for 77 years. This would mean the club's association started in 1922, the second year of its existence and it continued until 2001. I do not know the total accumulated $ amount produced over this period but I do remember that in many years during the last 40, the income was over $80,000. Since the club's share was 50% of total raised less expenses of local campaign, it is clear that the Niagara Peninsula Children's Centre building and additions, and Lakewood Camp were financed in a large part by this revenue.
In the early days the funds were raised by solicitations thru the mail and a flower show at Easter. Later the walkathons, dancethons, and telethons were added. As the appeal of these waned, new ventures were added: a country music show, Big Mac attack at local McDonalds stores, Olympics at Lakeport High School, Canadian Tire Hot dog Sale, Bobby Soul concerts and subsequently annual galas at Chateau des Charmes, the regattas run by Dalhousie Yacht Club and the annual Golf tournament with various sponsors.
It appears to me that this project was the club's major accomplishment over several decades.
Decade 1971-81
Administrative and social
Gerry Wool elected as director of R.I and appointed treasurer.
3 visits from R.I Presidents during this decade; 1972-73, 1973-74 & 80-81
Citizenship courts [Immigration] are annual meetings.
1976-77 Gerry Wool starts flood of donations to Rotary Foundation with 9 PHF awarded.
Club moves to Holiday Inn in 1979-80. Projects
Much activity in World Community Service i.e equipment and supplies to hospitals in Caribbean.
Commence support of Junior Achievement
Pledge of $10,000 to building campaign Bill Burgoyne Arena
Establish Ted Lancaster bursary at Brock
Pledge $15000 to Centennial Library building campaign
Start Essay contests
Seven schools now participate in Rotary Medal honours
Fundraising
Theatre project raises several thousand
Become sales agent for Wintario tickets
Several special events including Xmas records sale, and City Centennial events
Commencement of annual car raffle and Xmas tree sale as a result of challenge to club to raise level of fundraising.
Wine & Cheese parties at Club Roma
Annual Golf tournament at NOL followed by stag night and reverse draw.
Revenue reaches $100,000 with 152 membership
Highlights of decade in my opinion: sustained and varied fundraising activity and resulting activity in World community Service and local project funding
Decade 1981-91
Administrative & social
Commencement of ethnic nights [hosting of and by varied ethnic communities]
Charlie Complin forms group of senior members [called Angels] to visit other clubs
Lakeshore Club founded
Betty McLean replaces Sirka Blank as secretary
Commencement 0f 50/50 draw
Probus club formed
Complin Cup awarded first time to Ray Bukovec Projects
RYLA programme start
Camp Enterprise starts
Rotary Tree Park established
Ridley College Great Hall is new site of Crippled Children's Xmas party
Ed Blair starts Malawi project [over 40 doctors participate over 9 years]
Charitable Trust receives 40 requests
Club pledges $69,295 to Tanguay House in Welland
Club active in Bethlehem Housing project
Medial Alert programme established for seniors
Pledge $75,000 to Niagara Child Development Centre
Grant to Historical museum $5500
Ljublijana, Slovenia club chartered as a result of efforts Ray Bukovec Charlie Complin and club Fundraising
Car Raffle raises $9000
Commencement of TV auction project raise $14,000 first year grows to $68,000 by decade end
Polio Plus campaign raises $73 million in Canada [$82,281 in club] Gerry Wool national organizer.
Highlights of Decade in my opinion - TV Auction, Polio Plus, Malawi project and charter of Ljublijana club
Decade 1991-2001
June 92-First female member admitted- Anne Bain
Club goes digital with purchase of computer in 92-93
Computerized programme for registration at district conferences produced by Brian St. Hilaire
Gossip sheet produced entirely in house
Web site established
Video produced to commemorate 75th anniversary
Book of Youth Exchange participants since commencement produced for 75 th anniversary Projects
First exchange student from new club in Ljublijana Slovenia
91-92 Pledges of $50,000 for new YMCA, $7500 to Amity Goodwill,
Scout troop formed at Niagara Peninsula Children's Centre
92-93 Pledges United Way $10,000, $10,000 to Bosnia-Croatia child relief
93-94 Women's Place $14,000, Ropes [board of ed.] $10,000,
94-95 $50,000 to restoring Henley Course, $50,000 to Niagara College and
renew pledge to Family & Children's Services
94-95 Adopt a Road cleanup programme established
95-96 Pledges to Salvation Army $20,000, General Hospital 20,000, Hotel Dieu $5,000
96-97 Pledges of $5000 to Bethlehem Place, $15,000 to Big Brothers & Sisters, $15,000 to Alzheimer's Society
97-98 Camp Lakewood $20,000, Get on Track $20,000, Break thru Health Care $20,000
99-2000 Pledges to Ice Pad $150,000, Well Spring Niagara $50,000 Fundraising
Nevada ticket sales at Sue Ruttan's Avondale store raises thousands for General hospital
92-93 Bikethon established to raise funds for Rotary Foundation
94-95 Monster Bingo raises $13,305 and similar amounts for several years
95-96 TV Auction nets over $100,000
97-98 Computerized Conference registration becomes club fundraiser by renting out services to other clubs
99-2000 Rib fest concept approved Highlights of decade in my opinion: Opening membership to females, and cash generation of fundraising events thereby expanding ability to make substantial contributions to community projects.
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