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And so… we come full circle, with December signalling a new year creeping upon the horizon. 2022 is close and we are keenly aware of the monumental significance this particular approaching new year means to every one of us. We have just endured another year getting through a world-wide pandemic and so we look to the future, a turning of the page, a reason to keep moving forward, to inspire hope in others and within ourselves. And, it was with an abundance of hope and inspiration within the Tonic Hamilton club that throughout 2021, we continued with our signature programs and projects such as Rotary Advisors, Rotary Advisors for Youth, Community Service Projects and Scholarship Committees.Our projects are sound and robust, much of them focusing on our commitment to local food projects. In December 2020, a new industrial fridge was installed in the Community Kitchen run by CityHousing Hamilton (a municipal agency 
that provides affordable housing at First Place Hamilton, a residence for people 60 and older). Tonic Hamilton provided 50% of the funding for the appliance and the remainder came from a District 7090 grant. Throughout this year, our members have continued to be hands-on with this project by volunteering at FirstPlace. In addition, some of our members continually donate to, and stock, the community fridges located throughout Hamilton.
that provides affordable housing at First Place Hamilton, a residence for people 60 and older). Tonic Hamilton provided 50% of the funding for the appliance and the remainder came from a District 7090 grant. Throughout this year, our members have continued to be hands-on with this project by volunteering at FirstPlace. In addition, some of our members continually donate to, and stock, the community fridges located throughout Hamilton.This past summer, our club connected with Father Tony O’Dell’s Urban Ministry of St. Patrick Parish wherein he and his team are aiding the homeless and poverty stricken in the Hamilton downtown core. Our club volunteered at the De Mazenod farm in Ancaster (an extension of St. Patrick Parish) which harbours fresh food for those in need as well as aiding in other capacities.
In May, 2021, we raised $940.00 by participating in the 7th Annual Cancer Assistance Program CARE Walk, in support of raising critical funds for this organization. On August 31st, 2021, we celebrated our club’s 5th birthday in true “Tonic” style amidst lots of lively conversation, laughter and great food. We even had an honorary guest, District Governor, Anne Bermingham, grace us with her presence.
Our club members also came together and had a blast at the District 7090 Watershed Clean-up. In addition, a number of our members attended this year’s 7090 District Conference and Rotary International
Convention and other online Rotary events.
These last few years have been a bewildering time of change and adaptation. We had fantastic, informative guest speakers at our club and to accomplish this, we switched to Zoom meetings, shelving in-person meetings for a lengthy time. We met this challenge and continued to proceed with club and board meetings online. We showed up and accomplished our goals, continuing to stride forward in 2021, honouring the Four Way Test and enjoying Rotary fellowship no matter the uncertainty caused by this unwelcome pandemic. And we will continue to keep striding forward in camaraderie with each other with an intense goal in 2022 to “be the good” and “be the change.” We are very proud of the leadership conducted at our club and look forward to bringing you more inspiring, true stories this new year. It is with great pleasure that Tonic: Hamilton Rotary After Five would like to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Holiday and Happy New Year filled with peace, prosperity and good health!