New club executives and directors have been selected for the upcoming year. On June 28, Semiahmoo Rotary held its 25th anniversary celebration at the new media-arts lab in the South Surrey Recreation Centre. The outgoing executive/directors were recognized and the incoming team sworn in.
Every year the clubs recognize outstanding work done by individual members, as well as non-Rotarians who volunteer in the community, by presenting them with a Paul Harris Fellow. Paul Harris founded Rotary in 1905. Semiahmoo Rotary recognized Greg Vanstone for his contributions to the recent charity golf tournament and Linda Whitehead for her work with golf sponsorships and membership. Judy McLeod was given a Paul Harris Fellow as past-president.
For the first time in the club’s history, it was decided to award a husband and wife for their separate work in our community. David (Buzz) Denroche was a founding member of Semiahmoo Rotary in 1989.
He was also the founding sponsor for the annual charity golf tournament for 24 years.
To date, his financial contribution through this sponsorship has exceeded $70,000. Thanks, Buzz, for your generosity.
Keryn Denroche was recognized for co-founding the Semiahmoo Animal League Inc. (SALI). Their goal is for people to improve the lives of animals and for animals to improve the lives of people.
A local farm has donated the use of their facility and partnership with their animals. SALI’s Farm provides a safe haven for at-risk children and rescued farm animals to bond, learn and heal with one another.
Valerie Giles writes on behalf of the Semiahmoo Peninsula’s five Rotary Clubs. Reach her at valeriegiles@shaw.ca