Rotary in Meaford

When the Rotary Club of Meaford received its charter in 1937, having been sponsored by the Owen Sound club, there were 20 members. The first meetings were held at member's homes or their place of business. In 1938 noon meetings were started at the Blue Motor Hotel with meals costing 40 cents.

In the year that followed the founding of the Meaford club, Rotarians there continued the pattern by sponsoring clubs in Thornbury-Clarksburg and Markdale.

In 1939 the Meaford club held its first children's Christmas party with each underprivileged child receiving a gift valued at $1. The party was judged a huge success.

During the Second World War, the club undertook the sale of Victory Bonds for the area. Club members also helped out on area farms since many young farmers were serving in the military. The club raised money to send packages to the soldiers overseas.

Over the years since that time the Meaford club has been involved in a wide variety of worthy causes. Just some of these include financial support for the arena and artificial ice installation, taking corn and ice cream to challenged children at the Blue Mountain Kids Camp, funds for the expanding Meaford hospital, to the Meaford Curling club, assistance for the purchase and operation of a handi-van and support for the skateboard park. Our community also has a new entrance to our harbour leading to the Rotary Pavilion both built by Rotarians.

Now the Meaford Rotary club has 37 members to help with the many projects locally and internationally that we support for the good of the respective communities. Our newest fundraiser is a Wine Tasting and Silent Auction event that will held at the Meaford Hall on September 22^nd. This event will help support the Hospital Foundation and the Meaford Hall and many other projects.

Club Executive

President:

Paul Astbury

Past President:

Phil Cant

President-Elect:

Rick Galbraith

Secretary:

Carol Norton

Treasurer:

Wayne Kipp

Directors:

Club Service - Donna Shortt

Vocational Service - Kelly Adam

International Service - Terry Hemsworth

Mailing Address:

Box 3229, Meaford, Ontario N4L 1A5

info@meafordrotary.ca