The Rotary Club of Renfrew is celebrating 100-years in the community. President Bruce Rozycki says the service club was established in 1922 and has raised more than $2-million in the last century, not accounting for inflation.
Rozycki tells myFM they’ve adopted the motto “Rotary Helping Kids” for their 100th anniversary. The President of the Renfrew Rotary Club says some of the major projects this year include:
- $75,000 in improvements to the Rotary Splash Pad at Ma-te-Way Park
- Assisting Central Public School build a $120,000 playground in partnership with No Frills and Canadian Tire – The fundraising campaign begins in Spring 2022
- International exchanges for Renfrew students
- Support for Renfrew Teachers Against Poverty (TAP)
- Fund four post secondary scholarships
Rozycki says Rotary has helped eradicate polio worldwide, builds homes for low-income seniors, helped World War II veterans travelling through Renfrew, supported Easter Seals for disabled children, provided $80,0000 to help build Hospice Renfrew and $100,000 for Rotary Hall at Bonnechere Manor.
Renfrew Rotary recently initiated annual multi-year $5,000 donations to:
- Renfrew Victoria Hospital
- Renfrew Hospice
- Robbie Dean Centre
- Renfrew Food Bank
Rozycki says some of the fundraisers this year to help pay for the projects include a drive-thru Bacon on a Bun event on June 18th, there will be a raffle for backyard patio furniture and a BBQ with tickets available in May and June and donations to the Central Public School playground fund will also be accepted when you check out at No Frills the last couple weeks of July.
Rozycki adds when you donate to the Renfrew Rotary Club, you can be sure that 100% of proceeds will support causes the local organization is working towards. Rozycki says all the overhead costs and administrative fees are covered by the Renfrew Rotary Club members.
The Rotary Club of Renfrew is well known for the “World Famous Bacon on a Bun” booth at the Renfrew Fair. Of the course of the Renfrew Fair, Rozycki says the Rotary Club serves up about 5,000 Bacon on a Bun sandwiches with the help of 60 to 100 volunteers.
The Renfrew Rotary Club has sent over 40 students on a one-year adventure in a foreign country with an equal number of local families hosting international students as part of this exchange program.
The Renfrew Rotary Club was also one of the initial funders of the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre. Founder and Executive Director Monique Yashinskie says with help from the Renfrew Rotary Club, the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre was born.
Dr. Ron Lavigne says as a 51 -year member of Renfrew Rotary, he continues to be inspired by the generosity of the good people of Renfrew and the hard work of club members in supporting the community and the immediate impacts of efforts. Lavigne says his most vivid memories are what was accomplished with Meals on Wheels, Rotary Club Homes and the Music Festival.
Renfrew Rotary member and past President, Marg McNab-Tubman, encourages anyone interested in joining Rotary to reach out to learn more.
Check out www.renfrewrotary.on.ca to learn more about Renfrew Rotary programs, becoming a member or how to make a donation.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
