CLOWNS EVERYWHERE
On November 30th, several Rotarians, along with their families, and dozens of children from the Brantford Boy’s & Girls’ Club, dressed up as clowns and led the JCI Santa Claus parade through downtown Brantford. Clowns were encouraged to raise a minimum of $300 to participate, and local businesses generously provided sponsorship so children could attend. It was a chilly night, but everyone enjoyed the experience of bringing holiday cheer and candy canes to the parade spectators. The final fundraising tally isn’t known yet, but the club expects to raise at least $40,000, which will benefit the Brantford Boys’ & Girls Club.
Pictured are Rotarians dressed as clowns leading the JCI Santa Claus parade.
MEETING SANTA
There was great joy experienced by families at the annual Brantford Rotary-Children’s Christmas Party on December 1, 2019. Despite the lousy weather that unfortunately kept some attendees at home, those who were able to make it out were in high spirits as the children and families enjoyed a wonderful day throughout the Centre. They enjoyed music and snacks, arts & crafts and visits to the North Pole to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The club was also able to 'pay it forward' by providing the numerous containers of leftover perishable food to individuals at a local homeless shelter. It was a truly magical day for families of special children with special needs.
Pictured are Lansdowne families meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus.
RYE GETTING SETTLED
The Rotary Club of Brantford and Rotary Brantford Sunrise Club welcomed 2 exchange students to Brantford in August; Alina, from Finland, and Joanne, from Taiwan. The girls are attending high school and are enjoying their experiences so far, which have included visits to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Toronto, and Buffalo. Rotarians are also enjoying getting to the know the girls and several have already invited them to dinners, movie outings and even Trick or Treating on Halloween. While Alina is accustomed to the cold weather, Joanne is learning to adapt and wisely purchased a warm winter coat from Roots on Black Friday. The girls are looking forward to spending Christmas with their host families and the upcoming Algonquin camping trip in February!
Pictured are Rotary Youth Exchange Students Alina and Joanne with Town Crier David McKee at Brantford’s Glenhyrst Gardens Christmas Lights opening ceremony on November 29th.
50 YEARS IN BRANTFORD
The Rotary Club of Brantford was instrumental in establishing the Boys & Girls Club of Brantford in 1969, and on Tuesday, December 10th, Rotarians, Boys & Girls Club of Canada, staff and alumni, along with other Community stakeholders, came together to celebrate 50 years of servicing the children and youth of Brantford. The club began in a church basement and within 6 months, had over 150 boys registered in programs. In the late 1980s, the Rotary Club of Brantford raised funds to build a new facility for them. Today, the Boys & Girls Club of Brantford operates in multiple locations throughout Brantford and provides service to thousands of children in the community. Congratulations to this wonderful organization!
Pictured are some of the Brantford Rotarians smiling ear to ear at the 50th Anniversary Bash on December 10, 2019.