Peter Hrastovec gave an update on a project by the Rotary Club of Zagreb-Maksimir, Bob Cameron, Executive Director of the DWCC, spoke about current projects, Tom Goebel is looking for volunteers for Bingo and Mark Donlon launched his annual Easter Basket campaign.
Peter Hrastovec spoke about his involvement with raising funds for Rotary Club of Zagreb-Maksimir in Croatia, who were raising funds to provide a desperately needed pediatric endoscopic column to assist children in need at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb. Click here for more about this initiative.
Guest speaker Bob Cameron, Executive Director of the Downtown Windsor Community Collaborative, gave an interesting talk about the DWCC. The vision is that the downtown be "A good place to grow up in and a good place to grow old in". Its strategy includes Community Development, Soulful Practices and Relational Hubs. There are many positive projects that are going on in our downtown area that contribute to community engagement. Examples he mentioned include the Community Gardens, the Dougall School Breakfast Program and Soccer and Basketball in the parks, where there are no barriers to play - just show up! He also briefly spoke about collaborations with other organizations, including Habitat for Humanity helping to pick up furniture for new refugees to be able to furnish their homes, and the Little Things Matter program, in which residents can fix up the front of their home (such as fencing, porches, etc), which is said to have a spiraling effect - neighbours see what's happening, and they want to fix up their front, as well! Bob also touched on intentional community projects, such as the Women's Community Home in which our Club assisted financially in turning the basement of the Women’s House into a separate unit, and the River's Edge Intentional Community, which has welcomed close to 50 men to share meals, offer a place to sleep and call family. "We can imagine a hub of healthy relationships in every neighbourhood where everyone has a chance to be valued and finds a place to belong."
The project they are currently working is REACT - Recovery Education for Addictions and Complex Trauma. This project is a vital new outpatient treatment centre in the core of our city. Learn more about this program at https://www.reactcentre.ca/services.
Mark Donlon launched his annual Easter Baskets Campaign for Children's First, in which Rotarians are urged to take a basket to fill for a preschool-aged child who would not otherwise received anything for Easter. Please bring the filled basket back over the next 3 weeks.
Tom Goebel is seeking Bingo volunteers. Bingo has been a major fundraiser for the Club for many years, and Walter recently retired this position to Tom as the new chair. A new Ontario gaming law requires mandatory training for all Bingo volunteers. There are 2 available training sessions, both being held on Monday, March 23rd, 2020: One in the afternoon from 1 to 3 pm or from 6 to 8 in the evening. These are being held at the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association, 2600 Airport Rd., Windsor, ON, N8V 1A1. Please contact Tom at tomegoebel@gmail.com if you are able to attend.