Bruce McLeish, Secretary
519-846-5725
bruce.mcleish@gmail.com
Club Mailing Address
P.O. 111, Fergus, ON.
N1M 2W7
President
President Elect
Secretary
Past President
Treasurer
Membership
International Service
Youth Service
Community Service
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Club Foundation
A strong and vibrant club committed to serving our local and global communities while ensuring equity, diversity and growth for all
Welcome to the Home of The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora
John Campbell, Club Treasurer presents a cheque to Sally Litchfield of Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce.
The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora is pleased to sponsor the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s Rapid Screening Initiative. Through this initiative, the Centre Wellington Chamber is providing free rapid tests for small and medium-sized businesses in Wellington County.
In the upper photo, President Stephen Pollock made a presentation of $1,000. to Renna Bruce Paonne, Executive Director of Learning Disabilities Association of Wellington County. Funds will be used for a Social Skills Program for their clients.
In the lower photo, our President Stephen Pollock made a presentation of $700. to Wellington Pregnancy Care Centre to Joanne Pronk, Executive Director (in middle) and Ilse VanderMeulen, Director of Fundraising. Funds will be used for an online course for pregnancy, birth and parenting
All the members of our Rotary Interact Club created these Thank you notes designed for the hardworking Covid Team at Groves Hospital. The youth of our community continue to amaze and inspire us.
Rotary International has added Environment as an additional area of focus for Rotary. The seven focus areas are:
1. Environment
2. Community economic development
3. Basic education and literacy
4. Peacebuilding and conflict
5. Disease prevention and treatment
6. Water, sanitation and hygiene
7. Maternal and child health
So that funds would not sit idle, we made a donation from our Catch the Ace draw that will re-start when it is safe to do so.
Click on 'Read more' to see an additional donation and to Like this story or make comments
Fergus Elora Rotary Club member Neil Dunsmore took the first steps to stopping the silence around mental health and suicide by walking 531 km or 330 miles from The Township of Centre Wellington to the nation’s capital Ottawa. When asked why he would take on such a challenge, Dunsmore answered with a typical Rotarian response “It’s about my community! We are 2.7 times the national average for suicide and that’s an issue for me. Someone needs to raise awareness and get this issue on everyone’s radar, the Federal Governments, the Provincial Governments and the service clubs. Our community is in crisis and when a crisis hits, we have no choice but to act. Service above self!
In 1996, the great African leader Nelson Mandela launched the Kick Polio Out of Africa campaign with Rotary International’s support, setting out a vision for a polio-free Africa. At the time, wild polio paralysed 75,000 children each year. To protect communities from this crippling disease, African leaders, health workers, volunteers, parents, global donors and organizations united to reach every child with polio vaccines.
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The $2000.00 given to the Food Bank is unique in that we provided 80 twenty-five dollar grocery gift cards to purchase food at a local grocery store. In order to keep their distance Jackie Andrews on the left and Brian Dowling on the right accepted the cards on two miniature hockey sticks. The others in the backround are co-presidents Ed Davis on the left and Bob Wright with manager of the foodbank Fred Aleksandrowicz on the right. Chair of Centre Wellington Board of Directors, Jackie Andrews mentioned this program will have a very positive impact on the people coming into the Food Bank as it gives them a chance to go and purchase some food they like.
The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora Cares
Due to the pandemic of COVID-19, the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora bingo held at Grand River Raceway has been cancelled until further notice.
Wightman TV, Channel 1, every Tue has also been cancelled.
Please see the following link for up to date information:
For the video of our draws see Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora Facebook Page. You will be directed to that location by clicking here
Dave Adsett, a non-Rotarian was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship by Jim Gibbons (right)
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Top Photo - Leanne Iravani receives Past Presidents pin from Ed Davis
Next Photo - Co Presidents Bob Wright and Ed Davis with Leanne Iravani
Next Photo - Ed Davis and Bob Wright hold Rotary theme flag for 2019-2020
Bottom Photo - Co Presidents for 2019-2020 Ed Davis and Bob Wright
Presentation Day - Jun 4/19
Organizations that received funding this spring are pictured below: Presentations made by Leanne Iravani, Club President, were made to Fergus-Elora District Soccer - Special Needs Soccer, $1,000. received by Pat Espina, Centre Wellington District High School, Bikeshare Program $1,378 received by Matt Arnold and Brianna Redwood; Centre Wellington Food Bank, Christmas hamper program $1,488 received by Jackie Andrews; Community Resource Centre, several programs totalling $4,200, received by Lauren Petty and June Baldwin; Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Camp URU $1,500 received by Kristen Drexler; The Grand 101.1 FM $2,500 for signal antennas received by Scott Jensen Missing is KidsAbility that received $2,900
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At their Annual General Meeting, Centre Wellington Food Bank provided the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora with the Friend of the CW Food Bank Award. This was received for Hall Rental for Annual Christmas Hamper, Food Drive volunteers, and Christmas Children Book Drive.
Pictured is Leanne Iravani , President of the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora with the award.
Pictured above: John Martin, Vice President -Royal Canadian Legion, Fergus; Stephen Street, Groves Hospital CEO; Leanne Iravani, President-Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora; Lori Arsenault, Executive Director-Groves Hospital Foundation; Randy Graham, President- Royal Canadian Legion,Fergus and Bruce McLeish Secretary-Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora.
The Rotary Club held a Catch the Ace draw to raise funds for our new hospital and help to fulfill the $500,000 pledge that the club made to the hospital. The $44,707.15 is the full net proceeds of the Catch the Ace draw. Thanks to Wellington Advertiser and Fergus Printing who helped substantially to make this draw such a success.
The $30,000 jackpot winner on April 28, 2019 was John Fines. He holds the Ace of Spades that was contained in envelope #37 that is held by his wife Kathy. Congratulations to the winner and thanks to everyone who purchased tickets during this lottery draw. All net proceeds that will be in excess of $40,000 will be donated to Groves Hospital Foundation.
Round # 2 of Catch the Ace is underway with draws every Sunday at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 275, Fergus with the 1st draw on May 5, 2019.
Jim Dixon, draw winner Jan 20/19 received a cheque for $590 from Jim Gibbons, Chair of the Catch the Ace Committee of Fergus-Elora Rotary Club. Jim Dixon hoped that his selection of envelope #3 would contain the Ace of Spades and he would have won an additional $9,553.50 that is in the jackpot. Tickets for this weekly draw are available at Fergus Legion and Dixon Home Hardware and cost $5 each. All net proceeds will go to Groves Hospital Foundation..
Catch the Ace has now started in Centre Wellington. Tickets will be available starting September 24, 2018 at Fergus Legion for the 1st draw on October 7, 2018. Enter the Legion Club Room from the east entrance. The 2nd round of Catch the Ace starts May 5, 2019
To learn about Catch the Ace and see our rules click on the menu tab at top of this page or click stories/catch-the-ace-details-and-rules
The Paul Harris Fellow is the highest form of recognition given by Rotary clubs world-wide. Individuals who have shown by exemplary effort, sacrifice or dedication to the causes and principles of Rotary, that they deserve the recognition of the Paul Harris Fellow, are eligible to be nominated, whether they are members of Rotary or not.
 | On behalf of the club, John Campbell presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to Bruce Hawkins (left). |
 | Leannne Iravani, Club President presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to Jeremy Hewitt while Ed Davis and Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy look on. |
 | Colleen Roberts received a Paul Harris Fellowship that was presented by Karen Welch. |
Thanks to all our bingo players who played TV bingo in the Fergus and Elora area during the past year. We will be returning near the end of October 2018 on Wightman TV channel 1 on Monday nights.
A huge thank you also to our sellers of bingo cards who gave their commission back to the club so that we could help worthy charities in our community. We hope that you will continue to shop in their stores. These card sellers were:
CANADIAN TIRE, 950 TOWER ST SOUTH,FERGUS--------------------------------------------------------
ZEHRS, 800 TOWER ST SOUTH,FERGUS------------------------------------------------
DIXON HOME HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE 745 ST DAVID ST NORTH, FERGUS
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COLDWELL BANKER GRAND HOMES REALTY 162 ST ANDREW ST EAST, FERGUS
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WIGHTMAN 490 ST ANDREW ST WEST, FERGUS
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Charmaine Brown of KidsAbility receives a cheque from Leanne Iravani, Club President. Funds are to be used on their 6 and Up children's program.
 | Rotary tree planters receive planting instructions . |
 | From left to right Toni Ellisof Neighbourwoods, Don Fisher, Councillor of Township of Centre Wellington, Bruce McLeish, Matt Alain, aborist from Township of Centre Wellington, Karen Welch, Donna Humphrey, Bob Grant, Don Darroch, Cecil Wolfe, Bryan Welch, Jim Gibbons |
 | Rotary Club President Leanne Iravani with Toni Ellis of Neighbourwoods. |
Leanne Iravani, President of Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora presents a cheque to Laura Muirhead, Executive Director of Child Witness Centre.
Pat Espina of Fergus Elora District Soccer receives a cheque from Leanne Iravani, President of the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora. The cheque is for the special needs soccer program.
Mar 27/18 - Kristen Drexler, Executive Director of Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Centre Wellington receive a $1500 cheque from Leanne Iravani, President of Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora. Funds were used towards the first ever URU Camp in Centre Wellington that is designed toward Grade 5 and 6 students.
Leanne Iravani, centre, presented a cheque to Lindsay Cowan, Supervisor of Early ON and Alyssa Cunningham, Supervisor of Outreach and Support Services of Community Resource Centre. $1200 will be used for books for the Literacy program, $500 toward startup of Memory Cafe. and $1500 for swim passes.
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December 19, 2017 - A number of children from KidsAbility joined in with our related young ones to have lunch and meet Santa at our Annual Children's Christmas Party with KidsAbility.
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Don Doyle, Treasurer of Fergus Elora Senior Trans receives a cheque from Leanne Iravani, President of the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora
 Brian Pollock (right)worked with Rotary and installed a large stone where a plaque was mounted that commemorated World War 1 veterans. This Vimy Oaks site in Victoria Park, Fergus was developed by the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora.
|  Ivan Ostic, centre, was congratulated for his 50 years in Rotary and was presented with a suitably engraved clock. |
 Shirley Scott (left) received a special memento from the club. Shirley is a Friend of Rotary that has faithfully helped us by selling bingo cards for the past 10 years. | .png) Donald Darroch, centre, was congratulated for his 50 years in Rotary and was presented with a suitably engraved clock. |
Polio is on the cusp of being eradicated and there is a lot to learn.
The polio endgame is near. It really is. The target is to eradicate polio by 2019 and judging by the numbers this year, we are almost there. The global WHO polio report on September 27, 2017 reported there were a total of 11 cases globally: 6 cases in Afghanistan and just 5 cases in Pakistan. In the last few years, I watched polio cases drop off a cliff. Just 3 years ago, annual polio cases in Pakistan crossed 200 in total. This remarkable shift in just three short years is truly amazing. There really have been some key milestones and I will illustrate them here.
A strong role model can make all the difference during a child’s formative years. For Bob Grant, his father Roy set the standard as a Charter member of the Mount Forest Lions Club and by serving his community in humanitarian needs.
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Oct 10/17 - Leanne Iravani, Club President provided a Polioplus thank you certificate to District Governor, Kathleen Dick who visited the club on her annual official visit.
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Oct 10/17- Les Frayne from S.H.A.R.E. Foundation received a club cheque for $2,000. to help with that organizations international water projects. Also in the photo is Club President Leanne Iravani and Marg Frayne.
Aug 15/17- Thanks to Don Vallery and Pine Meadows Retirement Community, we were able to use the community hall and facilities for our member and guest BBQ. A good time and excellent food was enjoyed by all.
Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket in the draw for the quilt. The quilt was won by R. Wheatley of Fergus who had the winning ticket #0130.
Jun 13/17- Doug Calder from "The Door" operated by Highland Youth for Christ was presented with a $1,000 cheque for youth programming.
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Jun 20/17-Charmaine Brown from KidsAbility receives a cheque from President Jim Waites. Funds are to be used for their "6 and up" program in Fergus that is estimated to cost $10,000.
Jun 13/17- Valerie Tibbles representing Wellington Centre for Sustainable Agriculture was presented with a cheque in the amount of $750 by Club President Jim Waites. Funds will be used to build a cob pizza oven on their premises.
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Friends of the Grand River represented by Jason King and Terry Ryckman were presented with a cheque by Club President Jim Waites. $1,962 will be used toward the planting of new trees along the river and $500 will be used to assist with the deep water fish habitat.
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Jim Waites, Club President presented a $1,500 cheque to Marilyn Abraham for Count Down to Canada Day Program in Fergus.
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Jim Waites, Club President presented a $5,174.00 and $250.00 to Lisa Talbot, CEO of KidsAbility Foundation. The larger amount is the second half of a donation that was approved last spring for a speech pathologist on a part time basis at the Fergus location. The smaller amount was to put together a pilot program for boys in Fergus with disabilities for socialization.
Jim Waites, Club President, presented $1,000 cheque to Centre Wellington Food Bank Chair, Jackie Andrews. The funds being provided are used by the food bank to partly cover the cost of renting space in Centre Wellington Sportsplex for their Christmas Hamper Program. A Township grant is no longer available for this rental.
Jim Waites, Club President presented a $1,000 cheque to Margaret Hill of Spark of Brilliance. The funds will be used for art and other material used in putting on workshops that are open to anyone but are particularly geared to those individuals who are coping with mental health issues.The organization aims to bring together those who might otherwise be socially isolated.Many of the attendees live below the poverty line, most being on disability pensions. The workshops promote an atmosphere of acceptance and a sense of accomplishment and well-being.
Jim Waites, Club President presented a $1,000 cheque to Maggie Baratto and Vanessa Belanger from Father's Heart Healing Ministries. That organization operates a residence home for women exiting human trafficking, the sex trade and addiction. Funds will be used to purchase tables, chairs, hair salon equipment for new salon for hair and make up to be established as a part of their operations. This will assist in the increase of self esteem in their clients through appropriate self-image and self-care.
Jim Waites, Club President presented a cheque for $2,700 cheque to Alissa Cunningham and Ron MacKinnon from Community Resource Centre. $1,500 of the funds will be used to purchase swim passes for children age 1-19. Last year, 90 children from 39 families were enabled to engage in a healthy activity within walking distance of most individuals. The balance of $1,200 will be used to purchase books for young mothers as part of a kit to build literacy in young children.
Jim Waites, Club President presented a $1,000 cheque to Elizabeth Deberge from Wellington County Learning Centre. The funds will be used to purchase English language learning books for a number of recent refugees to this area. The books will be used during the attendance of these refugees at English as a second language classes organized by the learning centre.
On Sep 13, 2016, 6 new members were inducted into The Rotary Club-of Fergus-Elora. These 6 new members will meet at our satellite club that meets in the evening, The inaugural meeting of The Rotary Satellite Club of Fergus-Elora Evening will take place on Sep 28 . Jim Waites (left), Club President, is pictured with the six new members that are from left to right Don Vallery, Dave Roberts, Angela Tamblyn, Claire Warren, Carl MacArthur, Rob Murray. A big welcome to these new members.
District Governor, Bill Proctor and Club President Jim Waites on the official visit to the club by the District Governor on August 30
John Jefferson cooking steak. |
Rick Roberts getting some wieners and sausage ready to eat. |
Dorothy Henson was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship (Rotary's highest honour) by Jim Dixon. |
Volunteers for Rotary events during the past year were presented with thank-you certificates. |
Leanne Iravani, Director of International Service, Marg Frayne from SHARE, Jim Waites, President of Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora and Les Frayne, Project Manager from SHARE. A cheque for $3,000 was presented by the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora to S.H.A.R.E. Agriculture Foundation for the purchase of 44 eco water filters for 44 families (250 people) in a remote area of Guatemala where young community members help to improve conditions in their underserviced communities.
There are few supports to communities in this area of Guatemala and the project work is done in Mayan villages which are very isolated and impoverished. All but a few of the communities are accessible by long and difficult jungle trails. A few communities are accessible by boat. The families grow corn on the hillsides to feed their families. Some families have a pig or some free range chickens or turkeys. Some that live nearer the water are fishermen. The homes are traditional thatched huts with dirt floors and wooden walls. Women cook on open fires in the hut. The water in many of the villages is sourced from streams and springs sometimes at a distance from the villages and it is polluted. Families suffer from recurring intestinal illnesses from using this water.
Past President Bob Wright and President Ed Davis present a cheque for $1,000. to Linda Mark of Child Witness Centre. Funds will be used toward their 2017 Youth Symposium for up to 1500 Grade Eight students and teachers in Guelph and Wellington County of which 230 are from Fergus and Elora.
During the course of the day students and teachers have the opportunity to hear 3 inspiring speakers. Key messages include: You can be the change ! It takes ONE to make a difference ! Step outside your comfort zone and try new things ! Be an 'energy giver' not an 'energy taker' ! Students are given tools and strategies to help them face challenges in their own lives as they enter high school, a key point in their development.
Dave Beynon and President Ed Davis present a cheque for $3,000. to Michael House Pregnancy Care Centre, 187 Bristol Street, Guelph. The centre serves women not only in Guelph but Wellington County. Funds will be used to equip their teaching room at their newly opened supportive housing building. Funds will be used for board room table and chairs, refinish floors and paint the room and the purchase of audio visual equipment.
Past President Paul Rogers and President Ed Davis make a presentation to Jackie Andrews of Centre Wellington Food Bank. Funds from the donation are used to assist with rental costs of space at Centre Wellington Sportsplex for their Christmas hamper program.
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For a number of years, the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora has provided a Community Service Award to a graduating student from each of the local elementary schools. The above picture is Leah Hutchinson, a student of John Black Public School who received the award that was recently presented at their graduation ceremony in June 2016. Congratulations to Leah and all of the other students in Fergus and Elora who received this award.
Cecil Wolfe and Bruce Oldfield are both Charter Members of the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora. The club was officially chartered on May 26, 1966 and they have now been members for 50 years. At a 50th anniversary club luncheon on May 31, 2016, they were presented with special gifts in commemoration of this event.
Past President Bob Wright and President Ed Davis make a presentation to Alissa Gibson representing Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre. Some of the funds will be used to purchase ribbons for their annual horse show. Regardless of where they place, the ribbons are all stunning and the children are thrilled to receive them. Many of the riders have never before had an experience of winning an activity, so it is a special moment. The other part of the funds will be used to purchase new feed bowls and hanging water buckets as well as grooming supplies for the therapy horses.
President Ed Davis makes a presentation to Sara Wilbur, Executive Director, and Richard Seibel, Board Member, of Grand River Conservation Foundation on behalf of the club. These funds will support the development of the new Guelph Lake Nature Centre, which supports about 1,100 students from the Centre Wellington Area each year (in 2014, thirty-one elementary classes and ten classes from Centre Wellington District High School.) Students at the Centre make essential connections with nature at a time when children no longer simply go out and play; the lessons learned there increase their interest in the outdoors, foster self-reliance and encourage our community’s young people to become our next generation of environmental ambassadors. Exposure to the outdoors helps promote physical and mental health in kids, reduces anxiety and offers young people who may not thrive in a traditional learning environment to feel good about their accomplishments.
$100,000.00
The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora has agreed to contribute the above amount to The New Groves Hospital Campaign which will be used in support of the New Groves Hospital located in Fergus, ON. This amount will be contributed over a period of 5 years at $20,000 yearly commencing in 2016. This club has been a strong supporter of Groves Hospital, and in addition to many yearly contributions, it provided $250,000 a few years ago to the Groves Redevelopment Campaign. The first payment of $20,000 took place on May 31, 2016
During the pre-Christmas season, members of the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora sold hams and cheese baskets to raise funds for community and international projects. Pictured is the winning sales team. Thanks to many local businesses and individuals who purchased ham and cheese baskets. A special thanks to Zehrs Markets, Fergus who made this fundraiser possible.
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On December 15, 2015 the club held it's annual children's Christmas Party. Children from the local office of KidsAbility were invited to attend. Everyone enjoyed the special menu of hot dogs. Gifts for the children purchased by the Rotary Club were presented by Santa.
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In the spring of 2015, the Fergus-Elora Rotary Club approved an application for funding from Arthur Trail Group. Rotary President, Ed Davis (on top picture) presented a donation to that group to assist with the trail development. The official opening of the trail was held on September 26, 2015 in Arthur. Bruce McLeish, Secretary, John Campbell, Treasurer, and Bob Grant attended the opening ceremonies (included in bottom picture) that were held in Arthur at a kiosk on the trail. As a continuation of the Arthur Trail work already organized, carried out and providing local benefits, the Trails Group is looking to link the existing trail with the Upper Grand Trail Dufferin. This Upper Grand Trail Wellington would begins at Wells Street in Arthur and extend along the old railbed between the village of Arthur and the East/West Luther townline. The project provides multiple environmental and community benefits: natural conservation; increased volunteerism; safe, varied fitness benefits; educational opportunities. Approximately 1000 trees planted along the trail will provide cooling, erosion control, maintenance of the water table and shelter for wildlife. All trees are native species.
Local High School students will assist in the planting. Sowing of wildflower seeds is included. These and the majority of the trees will support the needs of all kinds of native pollinators, at a time when many of them are in decline. Members of local 4H will be building birdhouses to place along the trail.
Local High School students will assist in the planting. Sowing of wildflower seeds is included. These and the majority of the trees will support the needs of all kinds of native pollinators, at a time when many of them are in decline. Members of local 4H will be building birdhouses to place along the trail.
Ed Davis, President (on left) with some of our volunteers. We appreciate the assistance of volunteers who often help with our fundraising projects. If you would like to volunteer to assist the club on our fundraisers, please contact any Rotary member.
Scotiabank provided generous sponsorship funds to the club in the past year. Ed Davis and Norm Manning present the Fergus Branch Manager with an appreciation plaque.
The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora formed a charitable foundation wherein funds for local community activities can be donated. Please see
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0536 Wellington Road 18
Fergus, ON N1M 2W3
Canada