A record crowd of Nelson Rotarians & their partners, Mt. Sentinel Interactors, Nelson Interactors, Keep the Beat Organizing Committee, Global Perspective classes, politicians, parents and supporters attended a wonderful evening to Celebrate Youth in our community. Thanks to the organizing committee of Wendy Lacroix, Linda Moore, Marilyn Miller, Mike McIndoe, and the very special MC Pat Dooley. Speakers included Interactors and Keep the Beat Committee members who gave an overview of the myriad of services that the groups provide in the community. Mike McIndoe provided the history of the Celebration of Youth and also showed a video about the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation. Dave Douglas reminded us that this is the 40th anniversary of RYLA in District 5080. He called for applicants for the 2017 RYLA Camp and also spoke about the commencement of planning for a Mini-RYLA to be held in the late fall 2017. Our Club President Sandra England shared a slide show of youth related projects that Daybreak has been involved with including re-roofing of a cabin at Camp Koolaree, the development of the mural by Lakeside Park, Skatepark development and the planning underway for more facilities at Art Gibbon Rosemont Park. Sandra reminded us that all of these projects grew from involvement with youth in this community who were trying to fill unmet needs and called upon the club for assistance. Rotary Club of Nelson President Mark McBride spoke with pride of the ongoing work at Lakeside Rotary Park and that club’s investment in youth through the Circle Foundation Scholarship Program and the “Adventures in….” Program.
Nelson Interact is involved with Adopt-A-Highway, Slocan River Clean-Up, Elves on Baker Street, bottle drive fund raisers for projects in Guatemala, and Hume School Bike Rodeo. They will be holding a brunch on May 13 at LVR as a fund raiser for an adopted village in Kenya. A Job Fair is coming soon. Many Interactors also participate on the organizing committee for Keep the Beat which raises funds for War Child Canada. In its 14th year, this has grown from a music festival and now includes a silent auction, kids area, and dancing. The goal for 2017 is $15,000.00.
Mount Sentinel Interact is intimately involved with the Global Perspectives classes. Members provide leadership for the Mount Sentinel Green Team, Student’s Council and Grad Council, including the new role of Safety Coordinator. Service projects include Adopt-A-Highway, Intergenerational Café with residents of Passmore Lodge, lunch service at Mount Sentinel, 230 dozen cookies baked for Christmas Food Hampers, help with the KCF Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and serving as cheer-leaders on the 49 Creek Hill portion of the MS Ride. Last year the group hosted a Refugee Symposium that was attended by youth from around the Columbia Basin. In their spare time this group holds major fund-raising events to support activities on their annual trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. Approximately $4000 is used to help build ecologically friendly homes for needy families; the houses include water catchment basins and solar panels. They are very appreciative of financial assistance given by Nelson Daybreak.
The evening culminated with a presentation of $1000 to both Mount Sentinel Secondary School and L V Rogers Secondary School to be used for service projects of their choosing.
Member: Jim Reimer Member since 2006 |
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Nelson Daybreak Rotary
Nelson Rotary Friday - 12 pm (directions) |
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