Welland News

Posted by Don Thorpe

LEGACY PROJECT RIBBON CUTTING

On Tuesday, May 10, the Rotary Club of Welland, and the City of Welland celebrated a long-time collaboration with the ribbon cutting for the entrance signage at the Rotary Club of Welland Park along the west side of the Recreational Canal. We were joined by our Legacy Project sponsors and friends of Rotary.
 

 
This park is part of the Rotary Club’s 100th Anniversary Legacy. Chartered on April 1, 1920, Welland Rotary has been active within the local community supporting various needs, particularly as they relate to women, children, and youth in need. From the early 1930’s through to the present day, Welland Rotary has partnered with the City in many initiatives, providing funds for the Chippawa Park Skating Rink and the Cross Street Pool; free skating for children and contributions toward the Welland/Crowland arena in the 1940’s; the Welland Public Library in the mid 1970s and again in 2004-2009, providing contributions to several Handi-Trans bus purchases in the late 1980’s and 1990’s and support of the City’s Can I Play Too? program.
 
Rotary President Vic Kerschl stated, "This new agreement, establishing Rotary Club of Welland Park, represents a culmination of this historic relationship and enshrines the Rotary club as a long-term stakeholder in the future development of this park with the City of Welland for the benefit of all of our residents." "Our City thrives when organizations such as Rotary are present and visible," said Mayor Frank Campion. "When we highlight our community groups and partnerships, it showcases our city's collaborative and welcoming tone as a whole. When we can help tell our story and share who we are through something as simple as a welcoming park entrance, it speaks volumes about what you can expect city-wide.”
 
President Kerschl presented Mayor Campion with the Club’s third installment of $20,000 toward the $100,000 committed to the Rotary Club of Welland Park.
 
 

ISOLATION NO MORE

The Rotary Club of Welland held its second ‘annual’ Purse Bingo supported by 203 Bingo enthusiasts on Wednesday May 25th at the John Michael’s Banquet and Event Centre. We were sponsored by several area businesses. The presenting Sponsor was Meridian Credit Union, with Best Western Rose City Suites, Seaway Mall, Youngs Insurance, Stolk Construction and RM Contracting providing sponsorship for various Bingo games and providing gift cards.
 
Chaired by Rotarian Lauren Gallaccio, there were 10 very happy winners of brand name purses, including Coach, Kate Spade and Michael Kors. We had an exciting special 11th Bingo game to win a Gucci Purse valued at $2,000! A 50:50 draw was held, with the winner Carrie Plante taking home $1,495.
 
It was a great evening of getting together after two years of ‘isolation’ to help raise funds for the Rotary Club of Welland’s community initiatives such as supporting the elementary school technology program, Niagara Children’s Centre, The Hope Centre, Notre Dame College School Special Education Classroom, United Way, Community Crew, Rose City Kids, and the Rotary Gold Medallion Graduation Program for 7 area High Schools. Without community support, the Club wouldn’t be able to provide assistance to those in need.
 
Everyone had an enjoyable evening, especially the purse winners: Ida Maddalena, Tracie Maure, Jen Hric, Amy Clark, Jade Anema, Winnie Ford, Katie Connor, Kim Leney, Carolyn Miller, Cheryl Durant, with Nicole Naccarato the winner of the Gucci Purse.
 
Thank you to all of the participants and congratulations to the many winners.