‘Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
That is Rotary’s vision statement and nowhere is it more evident than right here in our own community. Local Rotarians continue working behind the scenes, doing what we do best – supporting our local community.
Five local Rotary clubs, with the assistance of a Rotary District 5050 matching grant, are providing financial help through this difficult time.
The Rotary club of Semiahmoo, the Rotary club of White Rock, the Peace Arch Rotary club, the Peninsula Rotary club and the South Surrey Rotary club presented a cheque to David Young, CEO of Sources Foundation for $13,865.
These funds will go to assist the Food Bank COVID-19 Response Project, the Mental Health Advocacy program and Women’s Place – trauma counselling program.
A group of Rotarians from the Semiahmoo club who sew decided to put their skills to good use.
The constant wearing of face masks by healthcare workers, creates considerable discomfort and pain behind the ears. With the help of many non-Rotarian hands as well, they have been sewing what have been dubbed “hero headbands.”
These are headbands with buttons to which a face mask can be attached instead of putting it over the ears. For someone who has to wear a mask for a 12-hour shift, they provide a comfortable solution.
Over 500 hero headbands have been made and delivered, primarily to Peace Arch and Surrey Memorial Hospitals.
Another great need for the public during this time is face masks. These Rotarians along with the Helping Hands sewing group at Peace Portal Church sewed 200 face masks that were distributed to seniors homes and to seniors programs through Sources Women’s Place Resource Centre.
The Semiahmoo Peninsula Rotaract club has been busy over the last few months shopping and delivering groceries and supplies to vulnerable seniors in our community who were having a difficult time getting out themselves.
While the six clubs on the Peninsula have not been meeting in person for the last several months, all of the clubs have been meeting online every week, taking action and making positive change in our community and in the world.
For more information on what the six clubs are up to on the Peninsula, check out our websites:
• White Rock Rotary club, www.whiterockrotary.org
• Peace Arch Rotary club, www.peacearchrotary.ca
• Semiahmoo Rotary club, www.semiahmoorotary.org
• South Surrey Rotary club, www.southsurreyrotary.com
• White Rock Peninsula Rotary club, www.wrpeninsula.com
• The Semiahmoo Peninsula Rotaract club, www.semipenrotaract.com
Allan Baedak writes on behalf of the Semiahmoo Peninsula’s six Rotary clubs – allan@wpmmedia.ca